Mishkal Mosque - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Mishkal Mosque is a medieval mosque located in Kozhikode District of Kerala State in Southern India. One of the oldest in the northern part of the state, it is an important cultural, historical, and architectural monument in Kerala. The mosque is a fine example of  the mixing of culture and religion.

History of Mishkal Mosque

This large mosque was built by Nakhuda Mishakal, a renowned trader and shipowner from Yemen in the 14th century and it is named after him. Nakhuda Mishakal built the mosque here since he was settled in Kozhikode, having trade dealings with the Kozhikode Kingdom.

In 1510, the mosque was partially burned and destroyed by the Portuguese commander Alburkar in an attack. The top floor of the structure was destroyed and some of the damages can still be seen. The mosque originally had five stories but after the attack, it was reconstructed to only four stories. One of the interesting things about the reconstruction is that the wood used for restoration was provided by Zamorin, the Hindu ruler of then Kozhikode, from a destroyed fort at Chaliyam, a village in Kozhikode.

The mosque is built in the style of traditional architecture of Kerala Temples

The mosque was built like the traditional Hindu Temples in Kerala. All the walls of the mosque, except for the ground floor are made of wood. It has no domes and minarets, unlike what is generally seen on most other mosques.

The mosque has 47 doors, 24 carved pillars and a big prayer hall that could accommodate more than 400 people. The minbar inside is made of wood with beautiful motifs.

The mosque was designed and constructed by the ‘Thachhans’ (skilled craftsman) in traditional architectural style and ‘Vasthuvidhya’ (traditional Hindu system of architecture) like in the temples and other buildings of that period.

The resemblance to traditional temple architecture is evident in every corner of the mosque. The intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings, the gopuram style arches at the entrance are a common feature in the temples of Kerala. The mosque even has a pond which is a typically found in temples.

Getting to Mishakal Mosque

The mosque is in Kuttichira, Kozhikode. There are frequent buses from Kozhikode bus station to Kuttichira. Kozhikode is well connected by buses with rest of the districts of Kerala State. 

The nearest major railway station is in Kozhikode and the mosque is only a kilometre away from the station.