Indo Islamic Heritage
Old Jumma Masjid, locally known as Palaiya Jumma Palli (meaning Old Jumma Mosque), is a historic mosque located on OJM Street in Keelakarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu 623517. Regarded as one of the most ancient mosques in India, it reflects a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architectural styles and has been revered as a symbol of early Islamic presence on the Indian subcontinent. The mosque remains an active site for five daily prayers and the Friday Jum’ah congregational prayer, drawing worshippers from Keelakarai and surrounding regions. It is also a cultural landmark in the coastal town
Old Jumma Masjid — locally referred to as Palaiya Jumma Palli — is a historically significant mosque situated in Keelakarai (Kilakarai), a coastal town in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, India (PIN 623517). The mosque is well-listed in local business directories and cultural heritage sources as an ancient and active place of Islamic worship. � Justdial +1 Historical Significance Old Jumma Masjid is widely recognized in community oral history and heritage accounts as one of the earliest mosques in India. It is traditionally believed to have been constructed between 628–630 CE by Arab traders and settlers — a claim that places it among some of the oldest mosques associated with early Islamic expansion into the Indian Ocean world. This narrative holds that Yemeni merchants and pilgrims who accepted Islam under the governance of Bazan ibn Sasan were instrumental in establishing the mosque during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. � Wikipedia Although academic opinion varies on the precise dating, the mosque’s Dravidian Islamic architectural style suggests a long and layered history, with a **major reconstruction recorded in 1036 CE after early conflicts or structural changes in the region. � Tamilnadu FavTourism Architecture & Features Old Jumma Masjid is known for its unique architectural synthesis — blending local Dravidian design elements with traditional Islamic spatial orientation toward the qiblah (direction of Mecca). Its walls and pillars echo regional carving traditions, while the overall structure functions as a straightforward congregational mosque. There are no representational carvings inside, in keeping with Islamic norms, but the mosque’s form reflects Tamil artistic influence. � NewsMeter The mosque is active, with a main prayer hall for daily worship and larger congregations during Friday Jum’ah prayers, Ramadan, and Eid celebrations. Ablution (wudu) facilities are included on site for worshipper convenience. � Justdial Religious & Cultural Role For generations, Old Jumma Masjid has served not only as a site for ritual prayer but also as a community nucleus for local Muslims in Keelakarai and beyond. Weekly Jum’ah sermons (khutbahs) provide spiritual guidance, while during Ramadan the mosque becomes a focal point for extended prayers (Taraweeh) and communal iftars. Eid observances also draw worshippers from across the region. � Justdial Keelakarai’s broader Islamic heritage — including local traditions of Arabic-Tamil culture and seafaring trade links — reinforces the mosque’s importance as part of the town’s historical identity. � Tamilnadu FavTourism History & Date of Establishment While *traditional accounts place the original foundation of Palaiya Jumma Palli around 628–630 CE, scholarly debate exists about this early date due to the limited contemporary documentary evidence. Many historians suggest significant later reconstructions, especially around the 11th century and afterward, making the present structure’s layers the result of centuries of community maintenance and rebuilding.
Year of Built: Not Known
Address: Old Jumma Masjid (Palaiya Jumma Palli), OJM Street, Keelakarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu 623517
Country: India
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Ramanathapuram
Pincode: 623517
Longitude: 78.7845° E (approximate)
Latitude: 9.2315° N (approximate)