Indo Islamic Heritage

Masjide Ilahi (Mosque near Aravind Eye Hospital)

Masjide Ilahi is a neighborhood mosque located behind Sha Theatre on Jawahar Street, Gandhi Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, near the Aravind Eye Hospital. It serves the local community by facilitating the five daily prayers and the weekly Jumʿah congregational prayer. Known for its accessibility and peaceful environment, the mosque provides a dedicated space for spiritual reflection, worship, and community gatherings. Residents of Gandhi Nagar and surrounding areas rely on Masjide Ilahi for regular prayers, religious guidance, and participation in Islamic festivals, making it an important religious and social institution in this part of Madurai.

Masjide Ilahi is located at 8, Jawahar Street, behind Sha Theatre, Gandhi Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Gandhi Nagar and Shenoy Nagar are bustling residential neighborhoods with a mix of homes, local businesses, and nearby health facilities, including the Aravind Eye Hospital. The mosque is strategically positioned to provide easy access to residents and visitors seeking a spiritual space for daily worship and community engagement. As a congregational mosque, Masjide Ilahi conducts the five daily prayers—Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha—allowing worshippers to maintain consistent religious observance. The weekly Jumʿah prayer on Fridays is the most significant gathering of the week, attracting worshippers from the surrounding neighborhoods. The Friday sermon (khutbah) provides guidance on moral, spiritual, and social issues, reinforcing shared values and communal harmony among attendees. The mosque experiences higher attendance during Islamic holy periods, such as the month of Ramadan, when Taraweeh prayers are performed in the evenings. During Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the mosque hosts large congregational prayers, fostering a sense of collective devotion and celebration. These occasions strengthen bonds among families and local residents, emphasizing the mosque’s role as both a spiritual and social center. Beyond daily and weekly prayers, Masjide Ilahi serves as a hub for religious education and community interaction. Worshippers participate in study circles, seek guidance on spiritual and ethical matters, and engage in informal community meetings. These activities contribute to social cohesion and reinforce the mosque’s significance as a neighborhood institution. Architecturally, the mosque follows a functional urban design, common to small- to mid-sized mosques in Madurai. The prayer hall is oriented toward the qiblah, ensuring proper alignment for congregational prayers. Ablution (wudu) facilities are provided to allow worshippers to perform ritual purification conveniently. The mosque interior and surrounding areas are maintained to ensure a clean, peaceful, and focused environment for worship. Its location behind Sha Theatre on Jawahar Street provides easy access for local residents, shopkeepers, and visitors traveling through Gandhi Nagar and Shenoy Nagar. The mosque encourages regular participation in daily prayers, Jumʿah, and religious festivals, making it an integral part of the spiritual and social life of the community. Masjide Ilahi also promotes values such as respect, cooperation, and communal responsibility. By supporting spiritual practice and social engagement, it strengthens the identity and cohesion of the Muslim community in this area of Madurai.

Year of Built: Not Known

Address: 8, Jawahar Street, behind Sha Theatre, Gandhi Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Country: India

State: Tamil Nadu

District: Madurai

Pincode: 625020

Longitude: 78.1218

Latitude: 9.9330