Pullara Nercha

About this event

Pullara Shuhada Masjid, also known as Pullara Juma Masjid, is a historic mosque in Pullara, within Pookkottur Grama Panchayat of Malappuram district. Situated along the Manjeri–Kozhikode Road, the mosque is regarded by Kerala Tourism as one of the oldest mosques in the Ernad region and is particularly associated with the annual Pullara Nercha. The nercha commemorates 12 men who, according to the tradition recorded by Kerala Tourism, laid down their lives on the 22nd of Ramadan in Hijra year 1152 while protecting the mosque. The remembrance has developed into an annual two-day religious observance centred on prayer, commemoration and communal food distribution. The traditional practice of nercha here has a strong connection with annadanam, or the serving of food, which forms an important part of the celebration. Historical accounts recorded for the festival describe an earlier practice in which money raised by auctioning locally produced vegetables and poultry was used to purchase rice for the nercha; later, rice and meat became part of the food offering. The festival programme includes Asar Namaskaram, food serving, a Moulood Sadass, Dua Majliss and commemorative observances. The Moulood gathering provides a setting for religious instruction and remembrance, with teachings connected to the Quran and Sunnah forming part of the programme. More than 5,000 people are recorded as participating in the festival, demonstrating its continuing importance to the surrounding community. Pullara Nercha is held annually on the 22nd of Ramadan and generally falls in June or July, depending on the Islamic calendar. The observance is rooted in the local history of the mosque rather than being a general festival of Kozhikode, and the site belongs geographically to Malappuram district. The mosque and its associated commemoration form part of the wider religious heritage of Ernad, an area with a long history of Mappila Muslim culture and institutions. For visitors interested in Kerala’s Islamic heritage, Pullara offers an opportunity to encounter a locally rooted tradition in which religious remembrance, communal worship and food sharing remain central. The nercha also illustrates the important role that mosques and commemorative gatherings have played in sustaining community identity in Malabar. Visitors attending the event should regard the mosque as an active place of worship, observe appropriate dress and behaviour, and follow instructions issued by the mosque authorities during prayers and festival activities.

🚆 Railway: Angadipuram Railway Station, approximately 28.3 km; Parappanangadi Railway Station, approximately 33.5 km.

✈️ Airport: Calicut International Airport, approximately 15.8 km.

🚌 Bus: Pullara Bus Stop is approximately 10 metres from Pullara Juma Masjid; the mosque is on SH28 along the Manjeri–Kozhikode Road.

🏨 Stay: Hotels and lodges are available in Manjeri, Kondotty and the surrounding Malappuram area.

✅ Notes: Pullara Nercha is an annual two-day observance held on the 22nd of Ramadan, generally falling in June or July. The programme includes Asar Namaskaram, Annadanam, Moulood Sadass and Dua Majliss Anusmaranam. The festival is recorded as attracting more than 5,000 participants. Visitors should confirm the year's Ramadan dates and local programme before travelling and follow mosque protocols during worship.