One of the most famous mosques in Central Travancore, the Pazhayapalli Mosque is a peaceful haven for devotees who come here to offer their prayers. Located 21 kilometres away from Kottayam, Pazhayapalli is known for its spiritual ambience. If the minarets of this 950-year-old shrine could talk, they would have a lot of history to share with their listeners.
Pazhayapalli's annual festival is known as 'Thangal Adiyanthiram'. The highlight of this event is a large communal feast that attracts people from far and wide. The raw materials for this fiesta are offered by the devotees and the feast impresses with its sheer size. Almost two tonnes of rice and meat are used to prepare the 'Biriyani' that is served during this massive event.
The 'maqbaras' (mausoleum) of Thangals are carefully preserved in this masjid including the tomb of Karuthathangal. Puthoorpalli, a 400-year-old mosque, is also situated in Changanassery. The Chandanakudam festival, a two-day event held annually in December, is one of the biggest celebrations in Kottayam. Pazhayapalli plays a significant role in the peace and stability between various communities. Pazhayapalli along with the Catholic Church and the Bhagavathi temple near it stands together as perfect symbols of religious harmony.
