Saturday, October 27, 2018

Kuthbha Mosque, Puducherry

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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