Kerala, a state situated on the southwestern coast of India, boasts a rich tapestry of religious and cultural heritage. Greeks, Jews, Arabs, Chinese had established strong connections and trade relations with the ancient cities in Kerala Thousands of years ago. The history of Kerala is deeply intertwined with various religions and cultures, contributing to a diverse and harmonious social fabric. Kerala boasts Oldest Church, Oldest Synagog, Oldest Masjid in South East Asia. In modern times, the Europeans arrived in Kerala.  On 20th May 1498, two years after he set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, Vasco da Gama arrived on the Western sea coast at Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala. This was the first time that a European had arrived in India via the sea. Before Religious Hinduism dominated, Dravidian religions, Buddhism, small extend Jainism spread. Kerala's Hindu traditions and festivals have strong imprints of Buddhist and Dravidian heritage. Let's explore the religious and cultural heritage of Kerala:

Religious Heritage:

Hinduism

Hinduism is the largest Religion in Kerala comprising more than 50%. Kerala has a strong Hindu tradition, and many ancient temples dot its landscape. The state is renowned for its unique temple architecture, with structures like the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram and the Guruvayur Temple being significant pilgrimage sites.The worship of deities like Ayyappa in Sabarimala and Lord Krishna in Guruvayur is deeply ingrained in the cultural ethos of Kerala.

It is a known fact that Buddhism was among the oldest religions flourished in the southern state of Kerala during their pre Hinduism period. Buddhism was there in Kerala for 200 years where we could not find a shade of the same in the present day Kerala.The decline of the Buddhism started happening from 800 C.E as per the historians due to the Brahmanical revival in the Kerala society.

During the time of Maurya Sharman, a Kadamba King, large colonies of Brahmins from North India were invited to settle in Tulu and Kerala. In 792 AD, King Udaya Varman of Mooshika dynasty settled 237 Brahmin families in Kerala. One tradition has it that six outstanding Brahmins came with these immigrants, defeated Buddhist leaders in public debates and established the intellectual supremacy of Hinduism. Bhattacharya, Bhattabana, Bhattavijaya, Bhattamayukha, Bhattagopala and Bhattanarayana were the apostles and they brought all the forces of their dialectics to bear upon the subject and converted all to the cause of the Hindu Triad. Sasthrakali, or a species of worship peculiar to this country is the sole product of their triumphant compromise. The deity worshiped is Sastha, the divine offspring of Vishnu and Siva. It is contended that Buddha was re-assimilated into Hinduism as "Shasta".

Christianity

Kerala is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, with traditions dating back to the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century AD. Currently The Malankara Orthodox Church, Malabar Independent Syrian Church, and the Roman Catholic Church have a strong presence.

Kerala Christians have the history and culture as old as the Christianity.  The roots of Christianity in India can actually be traced back to the origin of Christianity.  St.Thomas, one of the Apostles of Christ, is believed to be the founder of the religion in India in CE 52.  The Christian Church of Kerala, of the early years, developed a culture and a lifestyle, which though distinct, were closely intertwined with Indian culture.  At the same time, it was conscious of the need for nurturing an apostolic heritage. These Earlier christians were called as Marthoma Nasranies (here Marthoma denotes for the Apostle St. Thomas, Nasranies means people who follow Jesus of Nazrath). 

One overriding reason for successful religious propagation has always the acceptance of the new religion by the local ruler.  Then his subjects too would naturally be lured to that faith.  This was the case wherever Christianity was declared the official religion of the state.  However, Kerala has a different story to tell. Most of the Marthoma Nazranies are offsprings of Syrian or other settlers from the middle east and children of the local people who converted to Christianity attracted to its doctrine of Universal Brotherhood Philosophies and Charities. One of the prime reasons that helped Christianity to cast its influence on the socio-cultural scenario of the state was its commitment and effort to stand up for the social causes. Also a good number of people converted to escape from the cast and social aggression from the upper class Hindus. During the decline of Buddhism and the related conflicts between Buddhism and Brahmanism also contributed for the growth of earlier Christianity in Kerala. The Christian Communities who faced persecution by the Islamic conquerors in the Arabia found Malabar coast as their new asylum .The foreign trade, to which Kerala's long coastline played host from the earlier centuries had made the 'Destination Malabar' known to the those  migrants. Most of them came looking for temporary shelter, but stayed back as they found the new lands accepted them. Kerala's trade links crossed the Arabian Sea and extended to people and communities who lived beyond its limits while there were hardly any links with North India. 

Famous churches in Kerala include the St. Mary's Forane Church in Kottayam and the St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, St. George Church Edappally

Islam

The Arab traders introduced Islam to Kerala, and it has flourished over the centuries. The state has a sizable Muslim population, and mosques like the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, believed to be the oldest mosque in India, reflect the Islamic heritage. When Islam spread over Arabia, its influence was felt immediately in Kerala also. The Muslim Arabs took up missionary work and strengthened their contact with Kerala's people, which led to the propagation of their faith, culture, and language. Islam was making headway quite peacefully and without adopting jingoistic methods (Nadvi 1967: 204). Moreover, Muslim Arabs came to India, not like the Christian colonies of Syrians, driven and persecuted from their homelands, but full of the ardor of a newfound religion and the prestige of conquest and glory (Chand 1936: 26). Thus, the propagation of Islam played a significant role in developing the Arab contact with Kerala.

The Muslim community originated primarily as a result of the West Asian contacts with Kerala, which was fundamentally based upon commerce ("the spice trade"). As per local tradition, Islam reached Malabar Coast, of which the Kerala state is a part of, as early as the 7th century AD. Before being overtaken by the Europeans in the spice trade, Mappilas (as earlier Kerala Muslim called) were a prosperous trading community, settled mainly in the coastal urban centres of Kerala. The continuous interaction of the Mappilas with the Middle East has created a profound impact on their life, customs, and culture. This has resulted in the formation of a unique Indo-Islamic synthesis — within the large spectrum of Kerala culture — in literature, art, food, language, and music.

Cultural Heritage

Kerala's religious and cultural heritage is a unique blend of various traditions that have evolved and thrived over centuries, contributing to the state's distinct identity and attracting visitors from around the world. The harmonious coexistence of diverse communities is a testament to the inclusive and pluralistic ethos that defines Kerala's cultural landscape.

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