Keramat Palajau Mosque, Mosque in Palajau village, South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Keramat Palajau Mosque covers 400 square metres in Palajau village, Pandawan district, about 3 to 5 km northwest of Barabai. The community manages it on a self-help basis, and it serves as both a place of worship and a centre for the development of Islamic civilisation in the Barabai area.

Kampung Pelajau had a navigable river, the Palayarum, from the 13th century; it ran from the Meratus mountains via Sungai Batang Alai to Sungai Buluh, Negara and Banjarmasin, the centre of the Banjar kingdom. Traders sailed it while spreading Islam, and a resting place was built under a large tree at a spot called Pelajau. The river has since silted up and is overgrown with rumbia palms.

The mosque keeps the Batumbang tradition alive during Eid celebrations, where families bring infants to place their feet on the pulpit steps seeking blessings. This ritual brings community members together in a gesture that expresses hopes for protection and good fortune for the youngest members.

Keramat Palajau Mosque lies in Palajau village, Pandawan district, about 3 to 5 km northwest of Barabai, the capital of Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency. The last stretch is on local village roads, so allow time for the drive. Visitors should dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the prayer area.

The roof features multiple sharp peaks in a traditional Kalimantan style that you do not often see on mosque buildings in other regions. This distinctive shape blends local building traditions with a place of worship, creating an appearance that stands out from typical mosque designs.