Cheraman Juma Masjid is the first Juma Masjid in India, situated in the Methala Village of Kodungalloor taluk, hardly 20 kilometre from
Irinjalakuda railway station.
Legend has it that Cheraman Perumal went on a pilgrimage to Arabia and met Prophet Mohammed at Jeddah, embraced Islam and accepted the name Thajuddin. He married the sister of the then King of Jeddah and settled down there. Before his death he handed over the king of Jeddah several letters addressed to some rulers of
Kerala seeking their help in propagating the doctrine of Islam in Kerala. The king came to Kerala and met the Rajah of Kodungalloor who helped him convert Arathali temple into a Juma Masjid. This mosque was designed and constructed by Hindus based on Hindu art and architecture. The graves of three great disciples are situated adjacent to this mosque which is the first in India and second in the world where the Juma prayers were started. Entry to the mosque is restricted to men at all times.
