Ujra Mosque, also known as Mohiyuddin Mosque in some accounts and locally associated with the name Ujra Palli, is one of the most distinctive historic religious monuments on Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep. Built during the seventeenth century, the mosque is traditionally associated with Sheikh Mohammad Qasim, a revered Sufi figure whose tomb lies within the mosque complex. The monument reflects the development of Islamic religious architecture in the Lakshadweep archipelago, where maritime trade, religious traditions, and cultural exchanges with the Malabar Coast shaped local building practices.
Unlike many monumental mosques on the Indian mainland, Ujra Mosque is distinguished by its intimate scale, extensive use of wood, and architectural features adapted to the tropical island environment. Its sloping roof, carved pillars, and ornamental interior reflect the influence of Kerala’s coastal building traditions. The mosque remains an important spiritual and cultural landmark for the island’s residents and contributes to the distinctive heritage of Lakshadweep.
The mosque is also associated with two wells in its precincts, whose water is traditionally believed by devotees to possess healing properties. These beliefs form part of the living religious traditions surrounding the monument. Ujra Mosque therefore holds significance not only as a historic building but also as a center of local memory, devotion, and craftsmanship.