Nellikunnu Mosque

Nellikunnu Mosque (celebrated across Malabar, Tulunadu, and the Arabian Sea littoral as the sacred Nellikunnu Muhyaddin Juma Masjid and the historic resting sanctuary of the Sufi saint Thangal Uppapa), located in the coastal suburb of Nellikunnu just 2 km west of Kasaragod town center in Kerala, is one of the region's most venerated, historically rich, and spiritually unifying Islamic pilgrimage monuments.

Dating back over two centuries and tracing its spiritual lineage to the saintly Yemeni and Hadrami Sufi scholars who arrived on the Malabar coast to propagate peace, scholarship, and spiritual healing, this historic mosque complex enshrines the sacred marble Maqam (tomb shrine) of Hazrat Thangal Uppapa, a revered Sufi mystic whose blessings, spiritual counsel, and interfaith compassion drew devotees from Muslim, Hindu, and Christian communities across Kerala and Karnataka.

It's the home of an imposing multi tiered white gabled prayer hall blending classical Malabar timber architecture with Indo Saracenic minarets, the sacred marble inlaid Dargah Sharif of Thangal Uppapa surrounded by fragrant sandalwood paste and green velvet chadors, the tranquil coastal courtyard overlooking the Arabian Sea coconut groves, and the world famous biennial Nellikunnu Nercha (Uroos Mahotsavam)—a massive 5 day festival attracting over 200,000 pilgrims featuring spiritual discourses (Wa’az), melodic Qawwalis, Dafmuttu percussion pageants, and mass community feast distribution (Neychoru Annadanam).

It represents a rich Sufi spiritual, charitable, and architectural sanctuary where centuries old Hadrami Islamic mysticism, interfaith communal brotherhood, master Malabar woodwork, and coastal Arabian Sea peace unite in Kasaragod municipality.

Located in Nellikunnu along the coastal beach road near Kasaragod port, it sits just 2.5 km from Kasaragod Railway Station (KGQ), 16 km from Bekal Fort, and 60 km from Mangalore International Airport (IXE), easily accessible by auto rickshaws, local city buses, and coastal walking paths.

The Sacred Maqam of Hazrat Thangal Uppapa

Hazrat Thangal Uppapa is revered as a compassionate Sufi healer who dedicated his life to serving the poor and bridging inter communal ties in Kasaragod.

Devotees visit the sacred Dargah year round to offer fragrant rose petals, light incense, and pray for health, prosperity, and family well being.

Truth is, listening to the evening call to prayer (Adhan) as coastal sea breezes sweep across the white marble courtyard brings deep inner solace.

The Historic 5 Day Nellikunnu Nercha (Uroos)

The Grand Biennial Festival: Celebrated once every two years, the Uroos brings together over 200,000 people from all communities in a display of interfaith unity.

Community Neychoru Feast: Massive copper cauldrons cook ghee rice (Neychoru) and spiced meat curry distributed freely to all pilgrims as sacred tabarruk.

Indo Saracenic & Traditional Timber Blend

Prayer Hall Design: The mosque combines heavy teakwood roof beams and sloping terracotta tiles with slender minarets and arched windows.

Spiritual Education Hub: The adjoining Arabic madrasa and Islamic academy have fostered scholarship across Tulunadu for generations.

After offering prayers at Nellikunnu Mosque, visit the historic 7th century Malik Dinar Great Juma Masjid in Thalangara, tour the 17th century Bekal Fort, or explore the Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kasaragod.