Cheraman Masjid, Kodungalloor

Legend has it that Cheraman Perumal, the last king of the Chera dynasty who ruled over Kerala in South India in the 8th century, converted to Islam. Upon his insistence, one of the ancient temples in the place known as Methala in Kodungalloor was turned into a Juma Masjid where Juma prayers could be offered.

The Cheraman Juma Masjid thus became the first mosque in the Indian subcontinent with provision for offering Juma prayers. Since it is a converted temple, the architectural style of the mosque is that of a traditional Hindu temple.