Sunan Kudus Mosque (Java, Indonesia)







The Menara Kudus Mosque or Al-Manar Mosque is located in Kudus in
the Indonesian province of Central Java. Dating from 1549, it is one of the
oldest mosques in Indonesia, built at the time of Islam's spread through
Java . The mosque preserves the tomb of Sunan Kudus, one of the nine
Islamic saints of Java (the Wali Sanga), and it is a popular pilgrimage point.
It preserves pre-Islamic architectural forms such as old Javanese split
doorways, ancient Hindu-Buddhist influenced Majapahit-style red
brickwork, and a three-tired pyramindal roof. The most unusual feature
is the brick minaret on which a pavilion shelters a large skin drum (bedug)
which is used to summon the faithful to prayer instead of the more
common muezzin. Whereas a bedug normally hangs under the eaves of a
mosque verandah, in the Kudus Mosque it sits in a tower like a Balinese
Hindu temple kul-kul or signal drum used to warn of impending attack, fire,
or communal event. No other mosque in Java is known to have a drum
tower of this type.
In front of the minaret and around the compound are walls and gateways
in the old candi bentar (split gate) and kori agung (main gate) styles.
Inside are two gateways—a smaller, inner gate with relief panels on either
side similar to those found in Mantingan, and an outer gate that is
reminiscent of the 14th-century Bajang Ratu gate at Trowulan. Other
pre-Islamic touches include 8 kala-head water spouts in the ablution area
and Ming procelain plates set in the walls.
An inscription over the mihrab says the mosque was founded by Ja'far
Shodiq in AH 956 (AD 1549). He is believed to be the venerated Sunan
Kudus one of the nine Islamic saints of Java (Wali Sanga) who lies buried in
an elaborately carved mausoleum behind the mosque. The complex
includes a Mogul-style mosque with a silvery onion-dome and concrete
pillars.
A very unique mosque.






The Menara Kudus Mosque or Al-Manar Mosque is located in Kudus in
the Indonesian province of Central Java. Dating from 1549, it is one of the
oldest mosques in Indonesia, built at the time of Islam's spread through
Java . The mosque preserves the tomb of Sunan Kudus, one of the nine
Islamic saints of Java (the Wali Sanga), and it is a popular pilgrimage point.
It preserves pre-Islamic architectural forms such as old Javanese split
doorways, ancient Hindu-Buddhist influenced Majapahit-style red
brickwork, and a three-tired pyramindal roof. The most unusual feature
is the brick minaret on which a pavilion shelters a large skin drum (bedug)
which is used to summon the faithful to prayer instead of the more
common muezzin. Whereas a bedug normally hangs under the eaves of a
mosque verandah, in the Kudus Mosque it sits in a tower like a Balinese
Hindu temple kul-kul or signal drum used to warn of impending attack, fire,
or communal event. No other mosque in Java is known to have a drum
tower of this type.
In front of the minaret and around the compound are walls and gateways
in the old candi bentar (split gate) and kori agung (main gate) styles.
Inside are two gateways—a smaller, inner gate with relief panels on either
side similar to those found in Mantingan, and an outer gate that is
reminiscent of the 14th-century Bajang Ratu gate at Trowulan. Other
pre-Islamic touches include 8 kala-head water spouts in the ablution area
and Ming procelain plates set in the walls.
An inscription over the mihrab says the mosque was founded by Ja'far
Shodiq in AH 956 (AD 1549). He is believed to be the venerated Sunan
Kudus one of the nine Islamic saints of Java (Wali Sanga) who lies buried in
an elaborately carved mausoleum behind the mosque. The complex
includes a Mogul-style mosque with a silvery onion-dome and concrete
pillars.
A very unique mosque.















































































Comment