As the holiest month in the Islamic calendar Ramazan draws to an end next week, Kumudini Hettiarachchi visits Colombo’s 200-year-old Dewatagaha shrine View(s):  The ancient Dewatagaha shrine mosque set in the heart of Cinnamon Gardens and below, a man in earnest supplication. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara Standing tall amidst the hustle and bustle of Lipton’s Circus in the very heart of Cinnamon Gardens, the beautiful white and gold minarets of the Dewatagaha shrine and mosque gently rise towards the sky. Blending in well with its neighbour, the majestic Town Hall, the muezzin’s call to prayer reverberates five times a day. There is speculation that the British may have built the Town Hall to reflect the dome of this Islamic place of worship said to be one of the oldest in the country. However, it is not only Muslims who are drawn to the Dewatagaha shrine and mosque believed to be more than 200 years old but also those of all faiths from across the country, for many will vouch about the miracles that occur at the shrine of the saint, Ash Sheik Usman Waliullah. It is on Tuesday in the Islamic holy month of Ramazan during which Muslims engage in fasting and prayer that the Sunday Times visits the Dewatagaha shrine and mosque. Ramazan concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr, on the sighting of the moon predicted for Saturday, June 16. While several men with and without their short, rounded skullcaps hold up their hands in supplication, in walk three women. Three sisters from Dehiwela, they are Sinhalese, and have come to call on the saint to deliver them and their children from the evil utterings of those who wish misfortune and doom on them. In their hands they carry padlocks with keys. They go to a moulana (priest) seated behind a curtain in the women’s section, adjacent to the shrine who listens to them intently and murmurs prayers after which the three sisters walk up to a railing close to a huge lamp which faces the shrine and lock their padlocks to big bundles already there. Above the padlocks are strips of green ribbons also tied to indicate favours asked through vows made at the shrine, green being the colour used by Prophet Muhammad, the Founder of Islam. “Ape pavul hathurangen pravesham karanna kiyala thama illanne,” says one sister, close to tears, explaining that they are seeking protection for their families from their enemies, as another explains that their children cannot hold down jobs and there is constant bickering and quarrelling among them. The third with a sweet-smelling bottle of oil in hand adds that evil is being cast on them by some of their own relatives, as another woman with head covered walks into the women’s section carrying joss-sticks and in a room demarcated by a tinted glass through which the shrine is visible, there is a woman in deep prayer. Another woman with a pottu stands before the shrine in fervour. Before the history of this place of worship flows forth from Religious Coordinator Mohamed Buhary Mohamed Farook — now 87, who has served here since the early 1980s and seen the solitary tall date-palm tree which is now no more like the Dewata-gaha which had been here earlier — we are shown offerings of gold and silver from those who have sought and been granted favours.  M.B. M. Farook A Sinhala soldier who had suffered severe gunshot wounds on his arm during the war and had been told that there was nothing except amputation, had walked in and placed a vow, relates Mr. Farook. There was no amputation and the arm healed and the ecstatic soldier donated a miniature arm made of gold, which is in a cushioned jewellery box alongside another arm of silver. Other gold miniatures include a Koran. But this is not all, says Mr. Farook walking us out of the office and onto the pavement very close to the busy Hospital Square including the National Hospital and the Eye Hospital, to point up towards some minarets, the symbol of spiritual illumination, glistening gold and white after a mild but sudden shower of rain. These had been built in thanksgiving by a Tamil who had lost a gem and having made a vow here

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Dewatagaha Jumma Masjid in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and I must say that it exceeded all my expectations. This mosque truly deserves a 5-star rating for its historical significance, architectural beauty, and cultural importance. Firstly, the Dewatagaha Jumma Masjid stands as a testament to the rich history of Islam in Sri Lanka. Built in the early 19th century, it holds a special place as one of the oldest and most important mosques in the country. Its founding by the esteemed Muslim saint, Usman Siddique, adds a sense of spirituality and reverence to the site. The mosque's architecture is simply awe-inspiring. Its gleaming white exterior walls and twin minarets create a striking image against the skyline of Colombo. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the intricate calligraphy adorning the walls and ceilings, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of the artisans who created this masterpiece. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Dewatagaha Jumma Masjid is its connection to legends and miracles. It is believed to have been constructed on the site where a miracle occurred. The story of a woman in need, whose broken oil pot was miraculously refilled by a saint, serves as a source of inspiration and adds a touch of enchantment to the mosque's history. The mosque also houses a remarkable collection of Islamic artifacts, including a copy of the Quran that is said to be over 500 years old. These treasures provide an invaluable glimpse into the rich heritage of Islam in Sri Lanka and are a testament to the mosque's cultural significance. As a place of worship, the Dewatagaha Jumma Masjid holds great spiritual significance for the Muslim community in Colombo. Yet, it is also a welcoming space for visitors from all backgrounds. The mosque is open to tourists who wish to learn about the history and culture of Islam in Sri Lanka. The friendly staff and informative displays make it an educational and enriching experience for everyone. In conclusion, the Dewatagaha Jumma Masjid is a true gem of Colombo. Its historical importance, architectural splendor, and cultural significance make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the vibrant tapestry of Sri Lanka's Islamic heritage. I highly recommend a visit to this beautiful and historic mosque, and I guarantee that it will leave you with a profound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our world.
පැමිණියා
පොදු නිවාඩුව
රැඳී සිටින කාලය
රැඳී සිටීමක් නැත
වෙන් කිරීම නිර්දේශ කරනු ලැබේ
හරියටම නොදනී

“SHAIKH USMAN WALIYULLAH SHRINE” The Dewatagaha mosque is one of the more prominent mosques in Colombo – its lovely exterior is almost an iconic part of the architecture near Town Hall. It is also partly a shrine to a Saint from the 19th century – Shaikh Usman Waliyullah – and Muslims and non-Muslims alike visit to pay their respects. It’s beautiful to look at – huge and white, much like the ones in Galle and Beruwela which were set up around the same era. Green creepers have begun to grow around parts of the minarets (mosque towers) adding to the aesthetics. The premises don’t seem that large on entering it but from outside it spans quite the distance, and the Town Hall dome some distance behind looks like it’s part of the white structure. At the center are pigeons – loads of pigeons! They’re always there and visitors make a habit of feeding them; a friend of mine remembers visiting the mosque with her mother, paying respect to the shrine and feeding the pigeons as part of a regular ritual. The backstory- The mosque is said to be about 200 years old. The devotees believe the Saint whose shrine this is was sent to Sri Lanka by the Prophet Muhamad from Arafat, Arabia. The legend behind the making of the mosque is one that pervades folklore – a Tamil woman or a Sinhala woman (different versions of the story) was apparently walking through the cinnamon jungle of Colombo in 1802, carrying coconut oil to her clients in Maradana. But she tripped on a cadju root and her oil pot was shattered. Sunken into despair because she was the sole wage earner of her family, she wept, but then she saw this old man in green garb with a long grey bear standing near the Dewata tree. He asked her not to cry, and asked her to bring a new pot and place it near – he pressed the ground there with his foot and oil sprang out. He asked her to tell all her Muslim customers about this magical incident and apparently she did and they arrived soon and were impressed, and a devotion to the Saint and his teachings soon began – resulting in the eventual building of his shrine and the mosque.

DAILY MAJLIS Monday: Subhana mowlid majlis Tuesday: Muhiyaddeen mowlid majlis Wednesday: Sheik Uthman mowlid majlis (The Holy Saint Resting at dewatagaha Dhargah) Thursday: Idroosiyyathul Qadiriyya Raathib Friday: Jalaaliyya Raathib Saturday: Qaseedah Burdah MONTHLY MAJLIS Muḥarram: Aashura mowlid majlis for 11 days Rabi ul Awwal: Subhana mowlid majlis for 11 days Rabi ul Aakhir: Muhiyaddeen mowlid majlis for 11 days Jumada al ula: Sheikh Dawood mowlid majlis for 10 days As Seyyed Ahamad Kabeer Refai mowlid for 1 day Jumada al aakhir: Nagoor meeran sahib mowlid majlis for 11 days Rajab: Ajmeer Khwaja Muhinuddeen Jishthy mowlid majlis for 06 days Dhul qadah: Sheik uthman kandoor majlis for 11 days (Each day different types of mowlids and raathibs will be recited)

This place is just not up to par with what I expect from a proper Muslim community. They're clearly practicing shirk with all their ziyarams and oil lamps. It's so obvious that they're praying to ziyaram and don't even get me started on Fridays when they pour oil into a container near the ziyaram - it's like they're completely oblivious to the fact that this is shirk! Even a kovil poosari poured oil there - it's ridiculous. And to top it all off, I saw one lady tasting/applying oil like it was some kind of holy water (I immediately left thereafter). The whole place smells like a kovil/temple (maybe on Fridays), not like a typical mosque. It's pretty obvious that these people are drifting away from the folds of Islam.

Most prominent mosque in Sri Lanka and one of the first too. Home for many Sufis and Thariqa boys. The Shrine of Qutub of Seylan Shaykh Usman Waliyullah Naqshbandhi. There are tens of thousands devotees visit this mosque each year to secure blessings. They vary from different ethnic groups other than Sunni Muslims who follow the path of Ahlus Sunnath Wal Ja'mah. Zikr remembrance of Allah majlis takes place daily and a lot of Thareeqa men and women along with their families visit from Thursdays After Sunset up utill Friday evening, Some top dignitaries do visit the Shrine to seek blessings and gain Barakah.

Calm and relax place. If the people ask Dua directly from Allah then it's fine but few people they worship the ziyarath which is not correct. The people working there was really good, caring and guiding the right information to people which is highly appreciated. Mr. Hamza is really a good human being who took care of the people who attend and giving guidance with right information which is also highly appreciated. Feeding the pigeon is good to see.

This place gives the relief to people who have sitans sight and etc as he send and tell through someone to go to that place where there is a person like his power to do cure the person and even he will help people who is hungry in need of money to help barakth in life and etc etc works. Each Arabic month there are functioning and reciting kithab. This on special occasions as his celebration of uroos Mubarak on 11th month in Islamic calendar.

A beautiful muslim mosque situated at the busy city. I have never been to inside, but still it is a very picturesque sight to eyes. The place is filled with crows and pigeons everytime I pass this place. The mosques is situated adjacent to the Colombo Town Hall building. The National Eye Hospital, Viharamaha Devi Park is also situated nearby to this mosque. [These pictures were taken about one year ago]

A nice artistic building that sits in the city. Picture worthy during sunrise and sunset because of its very creative appearance. Keep looking at it on a sunny day, and it looks like a gigantic white flower facing the blue sky. The row of small shops adjoining this building adds that extra magic all of it brings in to the city's look.

Dawatagaha Jumma Masjid is a mosque situated near the town hall of Colombo city. It has more than 200 years of history and it has a unique architecture compared to adjacent buildings. This mosque is very popular among Muslim devotees of Colombo. There is a huge flock of pigeons in the mosque and devotees have a habit of feeding them.

A mosque in Central Colombo. With a history going back 200 years. There is lot of folklore about the Saint of this mosque. However, its patronised by a multi religious cross section of people. It's an important religious site in Colombo. The mosque's Jumma prayers are well attended and have a turn out guaranteed to fill its halls.

One of my favourite and oldest Mosque in Colombo. it's located at the center part of Colombo like a heart yes a white heart. I use to feel like staying in an Indian Dhargah bacause of it's nature and pigeons. very nice architecture. visit and stay blessed.

My worship place in an outstanding place it was all super super amazing and I got to pray a lot which was the best part and also for the people who would go th I recommend you to take some oil to pour it the inside and some crubs for the crows

කොලඹ නගරයේ ඇස් වාට්ටුව හංදිය සමීපයේ පිහිටි මුස්ලිම් දේවස්ථානයකි.පෞරානික බවින් යුතුය. ගෟහ නිර්මාණ ශිල්ප භාවිතය කාගෙත් සිත් ගත් එකකි. නඩත්තු තත්වය අසතුටුදායකය. බොහො විට ගොඩණැගිලේ ඉහල කොටස් නු ග හා බෝ පැල වලින් වැසී පවති. විශේෂයෙන් පැරණි කොටස.

This a very famous places for Islamic people in sri lanka. They believe that it has some miracles will be happen here. Many muslims come here to pray for good things to be happen. Normally is a new baby born, new married life ext..

This place feels eerie! Used to love going here to pray, until they started telling me to do things like pour oil and tie coins...! It made me feel like some black magic witch or something! I quit going there after that!

It's a holy masjid. Good for peace of mind, blessings and pray for wishes to come true. Very powerful and miraculous place.
රැඳී සිටින කාලය
විනාඩි 10–30
වෙන් කිරීම නිර්දේශ කරනු ලැබේ
නැහැ

One of the prominent and oldest mosques in Colombo. Pretty much busy on Weekdays, but relatively quiet on weekends. The prayer halls are separated for men and women and it's open to all communities.

Historically known masjith in Ceylon. It allows women too for prayers in a separately allocated space where people from many parts of islands gather to perform the ritual beliefs and prayers.

Wishes getting done when you ask at Shaikh Uzman Raliyallahu Thala Anhu's Shrine
පැමිණියා
සතියේ දවස
රැඳී සිටින කාලය
රැඳී සිටීමක් නැත
වෙන් කිරීම නිර්දේශ කරනු ලැබේ
නැහැ

Very old masjid with the shrine of hazrat shaikh USMAN waliullah رحمة الله عليه It is in the heart of the city. Muslim are coming from all of island and abroad too. Spiritual place.

Powerful place. Any religious people can go and make their prayers.
පැමිණියා
සතියේ දවස
රැඳී සිටින කාලය
රැඳී සිටීමක් නැත
වෙන් කිරීම නිර්දේශ කරනු ලැබේ
නැහැ

Place is an attraction of tourists and always packed with pigeons. You'll smell that. It's very old huge and white. when compared with facilities it's an average mosque.

My one of the favorite place i visited couple of times for prayers.. very busy street located on townhall area.. car parking available.. female can also pray there.

You can find non extremist Muslims here. Because this Muslim order teaches them to live in harmony with other peoples. Many non-muslims are going there to pray.

Good mosque to visit by non Muslim s. Welcoming all
පැමිණියා
සතියේ දවස
රැඳී සිටින කාලය
විනාඩි 10–30
වෙන් කිරීම නිර්දේශ කරනු ලැබේ
නැහැ

Dawalta gaha jumma masjid. Very old mosque was built in 1885 | مسجد داوود اغا تحفه معماريه بني سنه 1885 ويوجد بداخله ضريح سالت ولم يجاوبني احد . …

This place has a shrine of an Awliyyah named "Usman Waliyullah" and also has a Kashif where we can perform the congregational prayers.

A place to pray and feel in peace with the help of almighty and his close follwer sheikh usman whos shrine is located at the masjid

A mosque of cultural as well as spiritual importance. The holy shrine of Sheikh Usman woliyullah remains within this mosque.

Spiritually enlightened place. Peace and tranquility is attained in this Holy Shrine of Shaikh Usman Raliallahu Tha'ala anhu

Great Masjid, and inside dargah of great Sufi saint Hazrat Shaikh Usman ibne Abdul Rahman, R. A, ALLAHOAKBAR..

One of the convenient place to pray. But u may face some difficulties as the mosque is under construction..

Always vibrant outside, but serene and peaceful inside. Also a really good tourist attraction as well.

Sunni mosque with a ziyarath of sheikh Usman volluliyah. Seperate section for ladies and prayer room.

Has a shrine of a saint named "Sheikh Usman Waliyullah" and can also perform congregational prayers.

Sufi Shrine of Quthubus Sailan, Ghous e Serendib Shaikh Usman Valiyullah Raliyallahu Tha Aala Anhu

Best Spiritual & Holy place to all relegion peoples in the city and long history near 200 years

My favourite place to visit with hopes ... They comes true when I pray . A special place to me

ஆலயம் என்பது ஆண்டவன் இருப்பிடம். இங்கே மதங்கள் பேசப்படுவதில்லை மாறாய் மனம் அமைதியை தேடுகிறது.

This mosque belong to traditional Muslim ☪️ who live in Sri Lanka Sufi masjid …

This place is not for muslims. They commit shirk here. Little different from a buddist temple

Sufi saint masjid Srilankan traditional true Muslims are following and visiting this place ❤️

Good place for photo outside. There's a department store (Odel) just eight across the mosque

centrally located mosque dates back to 18th century Saint from Yemen sheikh Uzman woliulla

A powerful mosque where lies a powerful Saint who's name is Sheikh Usman Voliyullah

MashAllah a beautiful shrine and beautiful masjid charming in white paintings .

لا انصح بالصلاة فيه لوجود القبور و الشركيات التي تخالف عقيدة التوحيد للمسلمين

A mosque made in 1800s is an absolute gem. Big capacity and very maintained.

Maqam of Shk Usman Abdurrahman Siddiq Waliyullah is here. V beatiful maqam.

Social distance is strictly followed here during COVID-19 and afterwards..

Calm & quiet peace filling space. Prayer space available for Muslim women.

200 TH URS MUBARAK OF QUTHUBUS SAILAN SHAIKH USMAN ABDUR RAHMAN WALIYULAAH

Always a Good place share your belief & to relax your mind spiritually...

Dawalta gaha jumma masjid Very old mosque and nice architecture …

There is no Jamat may be due to covid pandemic but you can pray alone

Completely innovative and Shirk place, not good for muslim believers

If u feel stress just sit on the steps u feel calm love this place

Very peaceful and spiritual place . All people are welcome here .

I visit there every thursday,best place to have a peaceful mind

One of the most sacred and beautiful mosques of Sri Lanka.

Very Famous mosque.. All religious people visit this place

Well maintained, great place to worship, well organized

Always vibrant outside, but serene and peaceful inside.

Visit the Saint with good intentions. U wil be success

Historically important place for muslims of Sri Lanka.

A beautiful muslim mosque situated at the busy city.

Very pious religious place in the heart of Colombo.

One peaceful place amidst the busy Colombo 7 …

Woke me up at 5 am, Jesus would never do that to us

Holly and a precious place for the Muslims to pray

Very famous and oldest Muslim mosque in Colombo.

peaceful and calm mosque near colombo area....

Such a beautiful Mosque with full of blessing

Great place with a beautiful pigeons all over

Awesome place to have peaceful mind relaxing

Great spiritual place ma sha Allah …

very peace full mosque....i love so much

One of the largest mosque s in Sri lanka

One of the best mosque in sri lanka.....

One of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka

One of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka

One of the best Masjids in Sri Lanka.

masha allah..a place of relaxing mind

Ancient Sri Lanka Traditional Masjid

Calm and relaxing spiritual place.

Nice mosque with calm enviroment

Great mosque.. Cool and peaceful

Best place for perform salah....

Getting ready for Jumma prayers

Best place to relax your mind

Masallah good nd nice mosque

My favorite place ever.

Good place for worship

Very clam and relax

Good relaxing place

جامع منذ سنه 1905

Peaceful place

Calm and Cool