Kazimar Big Mosque is located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. More specifically, this mosque is situated in a city called Madurai. Globally, Kazimar Big Mosque can be pinpointed at coordinates 9.91275 degrees north and 78.1142 degrees east. This mosque is known by the other name of Kazimar Periya Pallivasal. It has the distinction of being the first Muslim place of worship in Madurai.

History of Kazimar Big Mosque
Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin is credited with the foundation of Kazimar Big Mosque. Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin is recognized as a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He arrived from Oman during the 13th century. King Kulasekara Ku (n) Pandiyan gave him land, where this mosque is situated.

Managing Body of Kazimar Big Mosque
For more than 700 years, the descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin have been dwelling in the Kazimar Street which is located close to the mosque. The descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin are managing Kazimar Big Mosque from the day of its establishment. The descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin follow the Sufi order, Fassiyatush Shadhiliya. They are mostly shadhilis (shazuli). All Syeds follow the Sunni sect of Islam. There are about 450 huqdars of this mosque. The managing body of Kazimar is chosen from among the huqdars. From the time of Hazrat Qazi Syed Tajuddin (13th century), the huqdars of this mosque are being appointed as Kazis of Madurai to the government of Tamil Nadu. Qazi of Madurai, Moulana A.Syed Khaja Mueenuddeen B.A. is also a huqdar of this mosque and a descendant of Qazi Syed Tajuddin. The mosque currently has a board of four trustees selected from and by the huqdars of this mosque. These four trustees would be managing the mosque for a period of 3 years. Presiding the daily prayers and Friday sermons (Imamat and Qitabat) is a right of the descendants of the founder of the mosque. At present the Imams namely, Moulavi Al-Hafil A.Syed Muhammad Mueenuddeen Ibrahim and Moulavi Al-Hafil J. Syed Alimullah Baqavi are the daily services for more than 18 years.

Madrasasa of Kazimar Big Mosque
Kazimar Big Mosque campus has a madrasah, which is called the Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin Arabi Madrasah. This madrasah is utilized to teach basic Arabic to about 120 students. This madrasah is run by Moulavi Hafil Syed Alimullah Baqavi.

Maqbara of Kazimar Big Mosque
Kazimar Big Mosque houses within its premises, the Madurai Maqbara. It is the dargah of the well known Madurai Hazrats.

Visiting Information
Kazimar Big Mosque has the potential of accommodating about 2500 people. Madurai airport is well connected to all the major cities of India via airlines. This airport is located at a distance of about 10 km from the main city. Nearest international airport to Madurai is in Chennai. Madurai is well connected to Chennai, Trichy, Bengaluru and Coimbatore via daily flights. Madurai is well connected to several cities of India by direct trains. Vaigai Express is known to be the fastest or a super-fast day train runs between Chennai Egmore and Madurai. By road, Madurai is well connected to all the southern parts of India. The roads in Madurai are motorable via buses and taxis. AC as well as non AC buses will be available to the tourists. Kazimar Big Mosque is located within the 500 meters of the Periyar (Central) bus stand, within a kilometer south-east of Madurai Junction Railway Station and about 800 meters south west of the Meenakshi Temple.

Related Articles:
Indian Regional Monuments
Monuments of Tamil Nadu
Indian Temples
Mosques in India
Indian Dargas