Modi expected to visit Kerala church

He is also expected to visit a seventh century mosque and an ancient temple in Kodungalur.

Kochi: (UCAN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the centuries-old St. Thomas Church in Kodungalur, one of oldest churches in India, when he visits Kerala in July or August.

The main purpose of the visit will be to inaugurate the completion of the first phase of Muziris heritage project funded by Kerala tourism. 
"The prime minister agreed to visit Kerala to inaugurate the Muziris project. But the date has not been finalized," tourism secretary G Kamala Vardhana Rao told The Times of India on Saturday.

He is also expected to visit the Cheraman Juma Masjid is said to have been built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Dinar, a contemporary of Cheraman Perumal, the ruler of Kodungalur and adjoining parts of Malabar, who subsequently converted to Islam.

St Thomas Church in Kodungalur, believed to one of the churches established by Christ's apostle, is considered one of the oldest in India.

The PM is expected to touch down by chopper on the ground of Kodungallur Kunhikuttan Thampuran Memorial Government College. He will carry out the inauguration of the Muziris project at the International Research and Convention Centre.

"Officers from special branch visited the mosque and enquired about security aspects, like the number of gates and entrances to the mosque, as part of the PM's visit to Kodungallur," said Faisal Edavanakkad, the administrator of Cheraman Juma Masjid.

Modi may also visit two other historic places of worship such as the Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple