Ketchchimalai Mosque

Unclaimed

Kachimalai Mosque is said to be the oldest Islamic mosque in Sri Lanka. According to the Moors at Beruwala, Kachimalai Mosque commemorates the location of the arrival of Moors in the eleventh century. A ancient history of Islamic culture. A good place for a family visit, to enjoy the sea and fishing dock. You will be also seeing crow island on the beach. Don't forget to support a small fruit vendors on the street.and Dress modesty and respect the religious places during your visit.

the mosque is built at the spot where the first Muslim Arab traders landed and subsequently settled in the area. It is believed that a vessel carrying seven members of the royal family of Hadhramaut, Yemen came ashore at this location. They included the Sultan Ashraff Waliullah, his five brothers and a sister. When Waliullah died in 1024 AD he was buried in a tomb on the hill. Allegedly one day, when the chief of the Masjid Al-Abrar in Beruwala was cleaning the tomb he stepped on a sharp thorn following which he rest under a tree and fell asleep. During his slumber, Waliullah appeared as a vision and sought that a mosque be built where his tomb was . At that time the site was known as “Utchchamalai” in Tamil, which translates to “high hill”, over time this was modified to its current name of Ketchchimalai. The current building was constructed in 1911 by a wealthy Muslim businessman. It is essentially a squarish white building, with an ornate arched exterior, curving dutch-style gables, with an unusual domed minaret crowned with a crescent-and-star ornament. Outside the mosque but within its grounds are the graves of two imams (father and son) and a madrasa. The mosque is the focus for a major Eid al-Fitr festival held at the end of Ramadan, with large numbers of pilgrims attending. On 12 June 2015 the mosque was declared a protected archaeological site by the government.

A very powerful saint lies buried here, the power of the area is very blessed & amazing. May Allah almighty bless him with jannatul firdouse. A must visit mosque. Your prayers will be answered here.

This is my 5th visit to this place... This time I came here with my family, my kids loved and enjoyed this place...

One of the most peaceful sunset spots I’ve experienced in Sri Lanka. The rocky coastline at Kechimala adds a raw beauty to the golden skies. You can sit quietly, listen to the waves crash, and watch the sun melt into the sea. I even saw birds flying in formation and local fishermen heading back after the day’s work — it felt like nature and life blending into one frame. The walk to the rocks is easy if you’re careful, and the view is absolutely worth it. A perfect place to pause and reflect.