Khutba Mosque, Pondicherry, mosque in India
Khutba Mosque, also called Jamia Mosque, is a place of worship in Indo-Islamic style located in central Pondicherry. The building features two minarets, domed roofing, and contains a prayer hall plus a shrine dedicated to the revered saint Moulla Saiullbum, with a fish pond and community spaces completing the complex.
The mosque was built in the 17th century and is considered the first mosque in Pondicherry, with Dutch maps from 1693 showing two mosques in the area. The current structure dates from the 18th century with modifications in the 19th century, and in 1948 local Muslims led by Abdul Rahman protected the building from demolition by French soldiers.
The mosque's name comes from the khutba, the Friday sermon traditionally delivered here. It serves as a gathering space where the community comes together to pray and celebrate religious festivals, particularly on Fridays when worshippers gather for congregational prayer.
The mosque is centrally located on Mulla Street near the railway station and is easily accessible by taxi or auto-rickshaw. Visitors should respect prayer times and remove shoes before entering, as it is an active place of worship where prayers happen throughout the day.
A pond filled with fish occupies the courtyard space and is often noticed by visitors walking around between prayer times. This unusual feature of the mosque adds to its calm and welcoming character as a place where people come to reflect.
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