Kerala • 3 monuments
Cheraman Juma Masjid is very unique as it is the first mosque to be built in Indian subcontinent for Juma prayers. It is a spectacular structure which was inspired from Hindu art and architecture. One of the remarkable factors of this mosque is unlike other mosques face the direction of the Mecca, this one faces the East. This elegant mosque displays the strong bond between Hindus and Muslims in olden days since it follows the Hindu tradition of lightening a brass oil lamp. The oil for the lamp is however, contributed by different visitors on auspicious occasions. This remarkable structure can be visited by people from any religion but only male visitors are allowed to enter the mosque with prior permission. In this thousand years old mosque, lies a marble block which is considered to be sacred since it has been brought from Mecca.
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy (or Bhagavati) Temple is located in the holy town of Kodungallur in the Thrissur District of Kerala. Dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, a form of Goddess Kali and known in the region as Kodungallur Amma, the temple holds great religious significance and is a popular pilgrimage site. Spread over 10 acres and surrounded by the huge trees of banyan and peepal, the temple has the sanctum sanctorum accommodating a hypnotic image of the goddess with 8 arms, each carrying a different weapon or symbol. According to the popular legend, the temple was established by Lord Parshurama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) to honour Bhadrakali who freed the region from the terror of demon Daruka. The temple also houses the images of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Veerbhadra. Devotees offer red-dyed dhotis (a kind of traditional cloth) and turmeric to the goddess. Pushkarini, the holy pond within the premises, is where the pilgrims take bath before praying at the temple. The temple hosts many festivals and celebrations like Bharani Festival and Thalappoli Festival. The town is also home to many other holy temples, apart from mosques, churches, forts and colonial structures.
The Marthoma Pontifical Shrine is located in the village of Azhikode in Thrissur, Kerala. The church lies on the banks of the River Periyar and is part of the Muziris Heritage Project. The Marthoma Pontifical shrine is built to replicate the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and covers over 3500 sq. ft. The significance of this church is that it was the very first church set up the apostle St. Thomas in Kerala and it was followed by six others. The legends surrounding the church speak of how St. Thomas came here in 52 A.D and is believed to have settled in Kerala and later his bones where brought from Italy and where placed in the shrine for worship. The MarthomaSmruthiTharangam Mansion built in the Indo-Persian style depicts the life of St. Thomas. When tracing the roots of Christianity in India, this shrine is said to have been the source of the spreading of the belief. This shrine is one of the major Christian pilgrim centers that are frequented by thousands of devotees worldwide.
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