This was my second last day in the city of temples and ironically I was visiting a mosque this day. Since I had only one more day to go, I wished to make the most of my remainder days in Madurai. This famous mosque can be accessed from the Periyar or the Central Bus Stand and also from the Madurai Junction. With such a strategic location of the mosque, the mosque therefore finds a great place in the heart of the city. The Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara, Madurai is a very important religious place for the Muslims and for the believers in all religion; this place also finds great attraction.
The place has a great history and is said to have been constructed in the 13th century when the Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin from Oman received the premise from the Pandyas. It is huge and can hold as many as 2500 people at once. The mosque also has the maqbara or the shrine of the descendants of Prophet Muhammad within its premise. The mosque has a distinct aura within it. A certain sense of divinity and peace invaded me as I spent some substantial time in the precinct. Also, there is a Madrasah inside the Mosque, where numerous students learn Arabic. The management of the mosque is really worth mentioning because the services were immaculate and the Board of trustees that look after the mosque continues the legacy well.
I tried my best to offer my prayers in the traditions of the Muslims; whether or not they were authentic in nature does not matter because I am sure the prayers must have reached the Almighty. The Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara, Madurai despite being the place of worship for the Muslims gave me the kind of peace that the temples provided. I felt blessed. Time was slipping out of my hands and as the day concluded I made preparations for the next day’s sightseeing to Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Madurai for yet another exciting albeit last day in Madurai. If only I could hold back some of the moments spent here, then it would have added to my pleasure.