Beemapally
| Beemapally | |
|---|---|
| suburb | |
  Beemapally Location in Kerala, India | |
| Coordinates: 8°29′45″N 76°57′16″E / 8.495945°N 76.954381°ECoordinates: 8°29′45″N 76°57′16″E / 8.495945°N 76.954381°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 695008 |
| Telephone code | 0471 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-01 |
Beemapally, a suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, is right under the flight path of planes landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. Beemapally is famous for the mosque known as Beemapally Dargah Shareef and is home to the tomb of Syedunnisa Beema Beevi, a Muslim woman with divine powers, and her son Syedushuhadamaheen Abubacker. Every year there is a festival held to venerate Beema Beevi which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all faiths and castes. Beemapally Masjid is an impressive building with its imposing façade and soaring minarets. The tomb of Beema Beevi, the lady with miraculous powers who is believed to belong to the Prophet Mohammed’s family, is the main attraction at this mosque. People of all faiths come to offer prayers at Beemapally. This famous Islamic place of worship is 12 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.
History
Legand has it that Cheraman Perumal went on a pilgrimage to Arabia where he met Prophet Mohammed at Jeddah. He converted to Islam and his name was changed to Thajuddin. He married the sister of the then King of Jeddah and settled down in Arabia. Before he died, he handed over many letters to the king of Jeddah; these missives were addressed to several rulers of Kerala seeking their support in spreading the tenets of Islam in Kerala.
After Thajuddin’s death, the King of Jeddah travelled to Kerala and met the Rajah of Kodungalloor who helped him to alter the Arathali Temple into a Juma Masjid. This mosque was designed and built by Hindus based on their art and architecture. The graves of three renowned disciples are located next to Beemapally mosque, which is the first in India and the second in the world where the Juma prayers were started.
Annual Urs
(Chandanakudam Mahotsavam Or Beemapalli Uroos) Beemapally Mosque is famous for its annual Urs which attracts scores of pilgrims from all walks of life. The festival, which marks the death anniversary of Beema Bheevi, starts on the first of Jama dul Akbar and continues for the next ten days and is a colorful and vibrant event. The celebration begins with the hoisting of the customary flag of the mosque in front of the elders and other devotees. The devotees carry money in pots which are adorned with flowers and incense sticks. The pot’s opening is swathed in white cloth and a garland is fastened around the neck. The pots are daubed with sandal paste which is why the festival is called Chandanakudam (sandal pot).Beemapalli Mosque is a hub of activity during the festivities and many art forms like daharamuttu are performed in the mosque. Many religious discussions are held and Islamic devotional songs are performed outside the mosque. On the final day of Chandanakudam Mahotsavam, a flag from Beema Beevi’s grave is taken; there is a grand procession with caparisoned elephants and the music of the panchavadyam (five instruments).
How to Reach
Local Bus are frequently available from East Fort City Bus Station, 6 Km - Distance from Beemapally Mosque to Trivandrum East Fort Bus Station.