Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

The standards adopted for choosing the sites for early mosques is interesting. Mosques
were constructed were normally near major routes where there is a source of water
supply. Valiya jumaaat palli was constructed near a water source called kunduchena.
Although the chena has disappeared and replaced by an artificial pond, the name
kunduchenapparamba is still retained. There is another mosque in kollamchena another
similar water source in a rocky area, in Peruvallur. Two mosques were constructed in a
place called chenakkal near alunchodu. Chenakkalangadi in Thenhippalam also has a
mosque. This necessity of water supply for performing the necessary oblations before
prayer, and also for the necessary cleaning for toilet forced the establishment of mosques
near chenas, in a similar way as the role of the ambalakkulam for the temple This also
meant that mosques could not be constructed in inaccessible regions without a public
water source, like a tank or a stream, and hence the presence of a settlement need not
alone signify the existence of a mosque, particularly in early times, when the provision
for artificial water supply was limited. Conversely, the presence of a mosque can act as a
centrifugal force, bringing a large number of families near the site.
Recent years have witnessed an exponential growth in the number of mosques in the field
area. With the expansion of angadis and mini-market areas, almost all the junctions have
a mosque and similarly most of the housing areas have at least a Srambi. The ‘modern’
mosques have given up Kerala architecture altogether, and are either concrete buildings
or dome and minaret structures in the Arab style. The architectural style is ostentatious
and ornamental, demonstrating the wealth of those who construct them. Since mosques
have to be constructed everywhere, artificial ponds, tanks and wells are constructed with
pump sets and other facilities. We have a situation in which there is no need for Muslim
to make a long journey to reach a mosque, particularly for the essential juma prayer on
Fridays. Instead, he can always close down his shop and leave his office to attend the
prayer. It is a wonderful sight in busy areas like Chemmad, to watch shutters of all the