Bringing Back Structural Past - Cheraman Masjid - The Hindu
November 8, 2019, 6:30:00 PM
Muziris Projects Ltd. boasts an excellent list of museums and monuments that express the spirit of a significant era in the history of Kerala, known for its trade and cultural values, and the Cheraman Masjid restoration is its most ambitious initiative. It is believed to be the first mosque built in India in 629 C.E., the oldest in the Indian subcontinent, and the second oldest in the world. The Cheraman Masjid, a religious monument nestled deep in Kodungalloor, has survived for more than a millennium. Throughout its lifetime, the Cherman Masjid has undergone several restorations.
"Bringing Back Structural Past of a Religious Monument" by Lekshmy Rajeev in the Hindu article takes one through the history of the mosque, starting from its construction initiated by Cherman Perumal Nayanar to its most recent restoration, which is headed by Dr Benny Kuriakose. Under his vision, the renovation of Kerala's Cheraman Juma mosque witnesses a new phase while restoring its original character. Mr Kuriakose points out that to increase the capacity of the mosque, many additions were made over time, which compromised the authentic historical character of the Masjid. A new museum showcasing the history of the mosque will also be set up in a nearby compound.