In Kerala's Palayam, Religious Institutions Stand As Icons Of Harmony Sharing Walls

Highlighting the communal harmony of Kerala, the picture of Palayam Juma Masjid and Palayam Ganapathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram sharing a common wall has surfaced on social media. Adding to this symbolism of co-existence, a hallmark of Kerala’s social structure, is a church named St. Joseph’s Latin Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Palayam. According to Local 18 Thiruvananthapuram, the restoration work of the Palayam Ganapathy Temple is currently underway and is small in size. With the construction of a new ornamental mandapam in Ganapati temple, the temple, mosque and church’s height will reach the same level. For those who don’t know, In the Hindu temple, the mandapam is a porch-like structure through the (gopuram) (ornate gateway) leading to the temple.

For those unversed, the history of the Palayam Juma Masjid goes back to 1813 AD, when it was constructed as a small mosque, initially. Over the years, additions and renovations were made, keeping the mosque relevant through the changing times. This mosque is right in the heart of the city and devotees visit here from far and wide.

It is not an unusual sight here to see people step out of one place of worship (after submitting their expressions of gratitude, as the case may be, to the Powers). They, then enter the places of the next one to repeat the process and have a staunch belief that when the prayers are submitted to two or more powers, their case turns stronger.

Due to this peaceful co-existing nature between the devotees, the festivals of each respective religion have all been carried out peacefully for a long time. To date, no one has encroached upon the property of another. Followers of all three religions participate and cooperate wholeheartedly for the festivities of the others.

Besides these religious institutions, another shrine that is of significant importance in Kerala is the Pattala Palli, which means the Soldier’s Mosque. It is located near the Palayam market and is situated opposite the Muthalakkulam ground in the heart of Kozhikode city. As per the reports, the mosque was built for soldiers.

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