In the heart of Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, a simple yet powerful tradition brings people together every Ramzan—a humble bowl of Oushadha Kanji. This traditional Ayurvedic medicinal porridge, prepared with over 20 healing ingredients, is more than just food; it is a symbol of unity, history, and secularism.

The Palayam Juma Masjid, built in 1813 by the Travancore royals for their Muslim soldiers, has stood the test of time. Once a modest thatched-roof structure, it now stands as a beacon of communal harmony, located between a Hindu shrine and a Christian church. Every evening during Ramzan, the mosque welcomes 900 to 1,200 people, including non-Muslims, who gather to break their fast with dates, fruits, and the cherished Oushadha Kanji. Cooked over wood-fired kilns and served in eco-friendly steel bowls, this nourishing porridge follows a strict green protocol, eliminating plastic use entirely. Paired with tapioca or green gram, it is a meal that feeds both body and soul.

For over a century, this tradition has turned Palayam Juma Masjid into more than just a place of worship—it is a space where faiths converge, barriers dissolve, and humanity thrives.