Visiting the Tomb of Cheraman Perumal: The King Who Saw the Moon Split

Also among the tombs in Salalah is the Tomb of Cheraman, believed to be the burial place of King Cheraman Perumal, the ruler of Kerala in India, who lived during the same period as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He embraced Islam and visited Mecca to perform Hajj, but he passed away in Salalah on his return journey. Next to this tomb is another grave believed to belong to Taj Al-Din Mas’ud, the king’s assistant. The Tomb of Cheraman Perumal is an important religious site for Muslims and is suitable for families and groups alike.https://salalahsafari.com/tombs-in-salalah/

After our ventures to Ain Razat, I thought we would head straight back to the hotel. But our guide reminded us that we still had two short stops to make, one of them was the Tomb of Cheraman Perumal. Since the area was quite small, the bus couldn’t enter, only cars were allowed. We had to get down the bus and walk for five minutes. The path was muddy from recent rains. Some tourists chose to stay behind, not wanting to soil their shoes. A few wandered around a small garden stall selling plants. My husband and I got curious and eager, decided to continue, carefully stepping along the slippery trail, holding on to the quiet thrill of discovery.

When we arrived in the area we saw a small group of Indian visitors praying simply in front of the tomb. We stood quietly at the back respecting the devotion we were watching. Seeing their heartfelt prayers made my chest tighten with a fusion of awe and serenity. The atmosphere seemed to wrap around us, filling me with a deep respect for the faith and devotion displayed before the tomb. I realized that this simple act of witnessing prayer had become one of the most moving moments of our journey.

When their prayers ended the group lingered for a while, taking photos and quietly chatting among themselves. There was something comforting in the way they moved gently around the tomb, honoring the space while also capturing memories.

The Indian visitors began heading back to their cars, the space around the tomb cleared, giving us the perfect opportunity to approach more closely and take our own photos. The stillness felt almost revered as we moved along the path. We lulled to respect the green draped tomb and the calm environs. Our guide began unfolding the story of Cheraman Perumal. The last Chera king of Kerala. He explained how the king once saw the moon split in two from his palace balcony. Confused yet intrigued, consulted astrologers who confirmed the phenomenon. Later, Arab merchants told him about Prophet Muhammad and the miracle. Awakened by this revelation Cheraman Perumal stepped down from his throne divided his kingdom and began a sail to Mecca. There he accepted Islam. He met the Prophet and performed Hajj. On his return voyage, he passed away in Salalah, where his tomb now stands. It put me into both delight and a gentle sadness. Standing there gripping the story and the quiet surroundings, I felt a deep respect for the king’s journey and the centuries of devotion that had made this place sacred. Beside the tomb lies the grave of his loyal assistant. The two graves appeared to whisper stories of faith, bravery and legacy that touched me wholly in that quiet green haven.

Standing there surrounded by coconut, banana and papaya trees, I felt an erratic mix of composure and honor. The story of Cheraman Perumal conveyed so much weight. Being in that very place made history feel alive. I feel a little dismayed by the wrappers and bottles left behind. It reminds me of how easily respect for sacred spaces can be ignored. I told my husband that it was time to return, my heart full of appreciation for having experienced such a placid and meaningful moment.

Photos taken using Samsung S25 Ultra
Collage using Canva

[//]:# ([//]:# (!worldmappin 17.01222 lat 54.12720 long d3scr))