Kerala Qibla Direction: Kaaba Compass Degrees & District Chart
Facing the Holy Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram, Makkah) is an indispensable prerequisite (Shart) for valid Islamic Salah. From Kerala, the sacred direction lies between 291° and 292° West-North-West (WNW). Explore district-wise bearings, mathematical formulas, and interactive direction tools below.
Live Qibla Direction Calculator (ഖിബ്ല കോമ്പസ് കാൽക്കുലേറ്റർ)
Instant True North bearing & distance to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah
Kerala District-Wise Qibla Degree Table (ജില്ലാതല ഖിബ്ല ചാർട്ട്)
Calculated from the district administrative benchmarks to the exact coordinates of the Holy Kaaba (21.422487° N, 39.826206° E):
| District | Malayalam | Qibla Bearing | Direction | Distance to Kaaba |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasaragod | കാസർഗോഡ് | 290.7° | WNW | 3,950 km |
| Kannur | കണ്ണൂർ | 291.1° | WNW | 3,985 km |
| Wayanad | വയനാട് | 291.5° | WNW | 4,040 km |
| Kozhikode | കോഴിക്കോട് | 291.7° | WNW | 4,025 km |
| Malappuram | മലപ്പുറം | 291.9° | WNW | 4,048 km |
| Palakkad | പാലക്കാട് | 292.0° | WNW | 4,095 km |
| Thrissur | തൃശ്ശൂർ | 291.9° | WNW | 4,092 km |
| Ernakulam | എറണാകുളം (കൊച്ചി) | 291.8° | WNW | 4,132 km |
| Idukki | ഇടുക്കി | 292.2° | WNW | 4,175 km |
| Kottayam | കോട്ടയം | 291.8° | WNW | 4,165 km |
| Alappuzha | ആലപ്പുഴ | 291.7° | WNW | 4,170 km |
| Pathanamthitta | പത്തനംതിട്ട | 291.9° | WNW | 4,200 km |
| Kollam | കൊല്ലം | 291.8° | WNW | 4,225 km |
| Thiruvananthapuram | തിരുവനന്തപുരം | 291.9° | WNW | 4,270 km |
Spherical Trigonometry Formula (ശാസ്ത്രീയ സൂത്രവാക്യം)
Because the Earth is an oblate spheroid, calculating the shortest path along the Great Circle arc requires spherical trigonometry rather than planar Euclidean geometry:
where:
• φ₁ = Local latitude (in radians)
• φ₂ = Kaaba latitude (21.4225° N)
• Δλ = Kaaba longitude (39.8262° E) - Local longitude
The resulting angle $q$ is normalized between 0° and 360° clockwise from True Geographic North.
Direct Sun Alignment Dates: May 28 & July 16
The Direct Overhead Sun Phenomenon (സൂര്യൻ കഅ്ബക്ക് നേരെ മുകളിൽ)
Twice each solar year, the sun passes directly overhead the Kaaba at solar noon in Makkah:
- May 28 at 2:48 PM IST (12:18 PM Makkah Time)
- July 16 at 2:57 PM IST (12:27 PM Makkah Time)
At these exact moments, every upright object on earth that receives sunlight casts a shadow pointing in the exact opposite direction of Makkah. Therefore, facing directly opposite the shadow provides absolute verification of the Qibla without electronic compasses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Quranic obligation for Qibla facing?
Allah commands in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:144): "So turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haram. And wherever you are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]." For worshippers distant from Makkah, scholars across the four schools agree that facing the approximate general direction (Jihah) satisfies the obligation.
How do I calibrate my phone compass when praying in unfamiliar places?
Hold your phone flat in the palm of your hand away from metal furniture, electronics, and charging cables. Rotate your device in a smooth figure-8 motion three to four times. This re-aligns the internal magnetometer sensors with the earth’s natural magnetic field.
Accurate Qibla Compass & Prayer Times on Al-Bader
Experience real-time interactive compass calibration, prayer time Athan alerts, and daily Adhkar on the Al-Bader app.