Indo Islamic Heritage
Kazimar Big Mosque, also known as Kazimar Periya Pallivasal, is the oldest and one of the most historically significant mosques in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Founded in the 13th century by Kazi Syed Tajuddin, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, the mosque remains an active center for Sunni Sufi and Hanafi Islamic worship. It hosts the five daily prayers, Jumʿah congregations, and annual Urs celebrations. The complex includes the Madurai Maqbara — the shrine of revered Hazrats — and an Arabic madrasa, attracting both worshippers and visitors interested in its rich heritage and spiritual legacy.
Kazimar Big Mosque, popularly known as Kazimar Periya Pallivasal, is a deeply revered Islamic institution located on Kazimar Street near Periyar in central Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is widely acknowledged as the first and oldest mosque in Madurai, built in 1281 CE by Kazi Syed Tajuddin, who came from Yemen and received the land from the Pandyan king Kulasekara. Construction was completed in 1284–1285 CE, and the mosque has remained active and central to Muslim life in the city ever since. As a Sunni mosque following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence and Sufi traditions (Shazuli, Qadiri), Kazimar Big Mosque accommodates around 1,200 worshippers at a time and continues to host regular daily prayers as well as the weekly Jumʿah congregation. Its architecture reflects Indo-Islamic design, with a unified prayer hall, minarets, and a historically rooted structure that has been maintained and expanded through generations. A unique aspect of this mosque is its management and heritage continuity. The huqdars — descendants of the founder Syed Tajuddin — have lived on Kazimar Street for over seven centuries and continue to manage the mosque and its affairs. Many of them serve as Kazis (Islamic judges/leaders), a tradition recognized by the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and local administration. Inside the mosque complex is the Madurai Maqbara, a revered shrine (dargah) that contains the tombs of important Hazrats of Madurai, including Hazrat Meer Amjad Ibrahim, Hazrat Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim and Hazrat Meer Ahmad Ibrahim, who are also considered descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Devotees from across India and abroad visit this maqbara for spiritual visitation (ziyārat). The mosque grounds also house the Kazi Syed Tajuddin Arabi Madrasa, where students study Arabic and foundational Islamic education. Historically and culturally, the institution has played a central role in preserving Islamic learning, Sufi practices, and community welfare in the region for more than 700 years. Kazimar Big Mosque also serves as a community hub beyond worship, participating in charitable initiatives, educational programs, and community support. Its annual Urs celebration (the anniversary of Syed Tajuddin’s passing) is observed on the 15th of Rajab each year and draws significant attendance. Today, the mosque stands not only as a place of daily devotion but also as a living monument of Islamic heritage in South India, symbolizing centuries of continuity, spiritual scholarship, and cross-cultural engagement in Madurai
Year of Built: Groundbreaking 1281 CE, Completed 1284–1285 CE
Address: Kazimar Street (off Periyar Main Road), Periyar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Country: India
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Madurai
Pincode: 625001
Longitude: 78.1142° E
Latitude: 9.9128° N