Kazimar Big Mosque
Madurai's oldest mosque, begun in 1281, with one dome and eight minarets, close to the central bus stand.
Overview
Kazimar Big Mosque is Madurai's oldest mosque and a quiet counterpoint to the city's temples. This guide covers its history and what could not be verified.
Kazimar Big Mosque, about 500 m from the central bus stand, is the oldest mosque in Madurai. According to Wikipedia, construction began in 1281 CE and was completed in 683 AH (1284–85 CE). It was founded by Kazi Syed Tajuddin, who came from Yemen in the 13th century. The Indo-Islamic building is of calcium sandstone, with a single dome and eight minarets, and holds roughly 1,200 worshippers.
It follows the Hanafi school with a Sufi Shadhili affiliation and also serves as a dargah, containing the Madurai Maqbara. A madrasah teaching basic Arabic operates in the campus. About 450 descendants of the founder act as huqdars who manage the mosque. It is an active place of worship, so visitors should dress modestly and avoid prayer times. Timings for non-worshippers and any rules on entry were not found on a source we could load, so they are recorded as unknown.
Entry fees
Fee information currently needs verification.
No fee information found.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Opening hours have not been confirmed by a reliable source yet.
Visiting hours not found.
Active mosque; check prayer times locally.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- October to March
- Best time of day
- Outside prayer times
- How long to spend
- 30–45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Dress modestly and cover the head if asked
- Avoid visiting during congregational prayers
Location
Madurai, Tamil Nadu (about 500 m from the central bus stand)
Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
9.91278, 78.11417
Get directionsPhotos
The mosque. Photo: Wasifwasif (talk) / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Mosque exterior. Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 Another angle. Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 The pulpit. Photo: Wasifwasif / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
How old is Kazimar Big Mosque?
Wikipedia says construction began in 1281 CE and finished in 1284–85 CE.
Is it also a dargah?
Yes, it contains the Madurai Maqbara.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not available yet
- visiting hours
- visitor rules
- official source
- Wikipedia – Kazimar Big Mosque · Encyclopedia
Destinations near Madurai
Kerala
Munnar
Munnar is a tea-plantation hill town in Kerala's Idukki district, set at about 1,600 m in the Western Ghats where three rivers meet.
10 attractions
Puducherry
Puducherry
Puducherry (Pondicherry) is a former French colony on India's Coromandel Coast, known for its French Quarter, seafront promenade, ashrams and nearby Auroville.
10 attractions
Karnataka
Mysuru
Mysuru (Mysore) is a heritage city in southern Karnataka, the seat of the Wadiyar dynasty and home to Mysore Palace.
10 attractions