PTI, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When this mosque was constructed for the soldiers of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore over two centuries ago, it was a tiny thatched roof structure sans domes and minarets. Sharing border with a Hindu shrine, it offered Muslim members of the royal army a place to offer their prayers and ‘eidgah’ near their cantonment in the capital city. When it had metamorphosed into the present magnificent structure over decades, the ‘Juma Masjid’ at Palayam here now woos even non-Muslims with its unique iftar feast and secular gatherings during the month of Ramadan.
Cutting across religious barriers, local people including officials of the nearby state Secretariat, drivers, traders, travellers and passers by, throng the centuries-old mosque during evenings of the holy month. Complete adherence to green protocol and distribution of “oushadha kanji, a unique medicinal porridge prepared and served in an eco-friendly manner, make the iftar of this “pattalappalli” unique. The Palayam Juma Masjid was once known as ‘pattalappalli’ (military mosque) in local parlance as it was made for the Travancore Army.
According to the mosque’s management, over 900-1200 people including non-muslims relish this delicious and nutritious ‘kanji’ every day of the holy month.
