Kuthbha Mosque, Puducherry
Kuthbha Mosque is a Muslim religious place located in
Mulla Street near White Town area in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of
Puducherry. This mosque is assumed to be the first Mosque in Pondicherry. The
streets around the mosque were built facing Mecca. Khuthbapalli functions as the Markaz or the
Headquarters of Tablighi
Jamaat's Pondicherry Chapter.
Etymology
Khutbah literally means the Friday sermon given in a
mosque. Khuthbapalli means that it is a mosque where Friday Prayers are also
held in addition to the regular prayers.
History
The renowned Arab Navigator Suleiman
Al Mahri mentions the Port of
Bandikeri during the latter part of 15th century or the first part
of 16th century along the Coromandel coast which is identified as
Pondicherry. He informed about a Muslim settlement already present in
Puducherry. Khuthbapalli is believed to be the first mosque built in
Pondicherry, though not at its present location but in the White Town of
Pondicherry.
This Mosque is assumed to be constructed first in the
area or close to the French Colony on Mulla street, and also close to the
Railway Station. According to the Dutch map of Pondicherry Fort in 1693, two
mosques are located in the White Town of Pondicherry. One is believed to be
Khuthbapalli and the other to be Meerapalli.
Meerapalli was relocated during the first half of 18th
Century to the present location where as Khuthbapalli, an ancient mosque
then itself remained in the Western part of White Town till the destruction of
the White Town of Pondicherry by the English in 1761. This was the ancient
mosque that the French soldiers came to destroy in 1948 but was stopped in the
process due to the Muslims of Pondicherry and especially by the timely
intervention of Abdul Rahman.
The French renamed the rue de la monnaie to rue Victor Simonel
which stands same to this day. Actually, rue de la monnaie was known as rue de
la mosque in Pondicherry during the Governorship of Joseph François Dupleix . Rue de la mosque means Mosque Street in English
meaning that the street housed the ancient mosque of Khuthbapalli.
The
Mosque
The mosque is built facing Mecca, the most revered
pilgrimage for Muslims. The Kuthbha Mosque also houses the Dargah of Moulla
Saiubum and organizes regular sessions of prayer. Kuthbha Mosque was built as
Mulla Mohammad Mosque. This mosque has a small pond with fishes, clean hall,
and Ramjan fasting food cooking hall and Jenesha in it. This mosque has daily
preaching and prayers with special prayers on Fridays. This is mostly
frequented by Tamil speaking Muslims.
Contact
Kuthbha Mosque,
Mulla Street, Puducherry – 605 001
Phone: +91 413 222 6549
Connectivity
The Mosque is situated in Mulla Street near White Town
area in Puducherry Town. The Mosque is located at about 300 meters from Puducherry
Railway Station, 500 meters from Chinna Kadai Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Puducherry
Main Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport.
The Mosque is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route.
Devotee can get down at Chinna Kadai Bus Stop. The Mosque is located at a
walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to
reach this Mosque from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location
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