Menara Kudus Mosque, A Haven for Pilgrims Before Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, religious tourism takes center stage. Many seize this opportunity to embark on pilgrimages to the tombs of Islamic clerics, including the tombs of Wali Songo and other significant landmarks.

Among the most iconic pilgrimage sites is the Menara Kudus Mosque. This extraordinary mosque not only holds historical and religious significance, but also boasts a unique architectural design that draws in visitors from all over.

Curious about its uniqueness? Here are some facts about the Kudus Tower Mosque that can be used as a reference if you want to do a pilgrimage tour.

3 Facts about Menara Kudus Mosque

Temple-like architecture

The Menara Kudus Mosque stands out from typical mosque architecture with its unique design. Upon entering, visitors will be greeted by a gate resembling that of candi bentar or split gateway, commonly found at Hindu-Javanese style temples.

Inside the main building, the pyramid-shaped roof and magnificent dome create an impressive sight. The interior of the mosque boasts ancient Javanese elements that add to its magnificence.

The minaret, the most iconic feature of the Menara Kudus Mosque, stands out with its resemblance to the Jago Temple, a relic of King Singasari Wisnuwardhana. Unlike the slender and towering minarets commonly found in other mosques, this minaret adds to the unique charm of the Menara Kudus Mosque.

Built by revered Sunan Kudus

The Menara Kudus Mosque was built by Ja'far Sadiq, also known as Sunan Kudus. Sunan Kudus envisioned a mosque that incorporated Hindu-Javanese culture, with cultural acculturation being the main priority.

This ensured that non-Muslims who visited the mosque at that time did not feel estranged from the building's aesthetics.

The age of the mosque is estimated to be over 500 years old, based on the inscription above the mihrab of the mosque. The numbers in the inscription refer to 956 Hijri or 1549 AD, adding to its historical value.

Although known as Menara Kudus Mosque, the official name of the building is Al-Aqsa Manarat Quds Mosque. The name Al-Aqsa is believed to have been derived from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine.

Adjacent to the mosque, visitors will find the tomb of Sunan Kudus. This is often a destination for pilgrims.

Location and opening hours information for Menara Kudus Mosque

The Menara Kudus Mosque is located on Menara Street, Pejaten, Kauman, Kudus City Sub-district, Kudust Regency, Central Java. As Kudus is relatively small, locating the mosque should not be a challenge.

Visitors can access the Menara Kudus Mosque at any time, as it is open 24 hours. However, if one plans to make a pilgrimage, the recommended hours are from 06.00 to 20.00.

During Ramadan, the mosque holds several activities such as Tarawih Prayers and Quran recitals.

The Menara Kudus Mosque conducts other events, including the 10th Muharram Recitation called the Luwur Opening of the tomb of Sunan Kudus, besides the routine activities during Ramadan. Many individuals believe that attending the event would bring about blessings.

Apart from the Menara Kudus Mosque, Kudus city also has tourist destinations that should not be skipped. Especially its distinctive culinary offerings.

After doing a pilgrimage tour, there's nothing wrong with stopping by for a moment to taste delicious Soto and Buffalo Satay.

Before planning a pilgrimage tour to the Menara Kudus Mosque, don't forget to book a car rental as accommodation to get there.

For safety and comfort, you can use car rental services with drivers from TRAC which are certainly supported by a wide selection of diverse and well-maintained vehicles, as well as reliable and experienced drivers.

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