Kilakarai Old Jumma Mosque

Kilakarai Old Jumma Mosque, also known as Palaiya Jumma Palli or Meen Kadai Palli, is a historic mosque in the coastal town of Kilakarai, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. Believed to have been originally established in 628-630 CE by Yemeni traders and rebuilt in stone in 1036 CE, it is regarded as one of the oldest mosques in India. It is notable for its Dravidian-Islamic architecture and Tamil Muslim heritage.

Visitors can expect a historic stone mosque with Dravidian-influenced Islamic architecture, featuring granite pillars, arches and a prayer hall facing the sea. The structure is located within Kilakarai town near the coast, surrounded by traditional streets and heritage houses. Visitors can view the exterior architecture, courtyard and stone inscriptions, and observe the active prayer area. The atmosphere is quiet and religious, with access focused on architectural appreciation and respectful observation.

Traditionally believed to have been first established in 628-630 CE by Yemeni merchants and companions of the Prophet, and later reconstructed in stone in 1036 CE. It represents early Arab maritime trade and Islamic settlement on the Tamil Nadu coast and is considered one of the oldest mosques in India and the first in Tamil Nadu, reflecting over a millennium of Tamil Muslim history in Kilakarai.

An important religious and cultural centre for the Tamil Muslim and Marakkayar community of Kilakarai. The mosque demonstrates the synthesis of Islamic faith with Tamil Dravidian architectural traditions and serves as a symbol of the town's long-standing maritime and trading heritage.