Kerala is known for its communal harmony and religious tolerance. Violence and outbreaks in the name of religion are almost unheard of. This peaceful coexistence may be attributed to the history of the state. About 60% of the states population is Hindu, 20% Christian and the remaining 20% Muslim. There are also about a 100 people or so belonging to the community called Jewish Diaspora; there is a synagogue in Jew Town which is their place of worship.

The original Negritto tribes of the state and the Dravidians were not known to practice any form of organized religion. Dravidian religion is generally characterized by spirit worship, tree worship and animal worship. Serpent worship was an important aspect of their religious belief which is continued till date. The various tribes such as Kadars, Ullatans, Paniyans and Malayans did subscribe to an unstructured Paganism and Nature Worship. The Kadars etc. worshipped Gods and Goddesses to placate them and cure of prevent all ailments and calamities. Therein lay the origins of veneration towards deities like Mari Amman (to cure chicken/small pox), Karrupan Swami (protector of a traveler), Kali Amman (to guard against black magic) etc. Worship of the natural elements such as Sun, Moon, Forest Guardians, Hill Gods (Maladaivangal) was also practiced. Elaborate rituals were unknown but generally the festive season was marked by a lot of singing, dancing and worship. The Parayas practiced black magic. They worshiped a deity called ‘Purakkutty’ who bestowed them with supernatural powers.

With the influx of the Aryans, religion was given an organized form. Hinduism and its elaborate rituals were carefully propagated by the Aryans who called themselves the Namboodiri Brahmins now. Vedic rites were followed under the strict supervision of these Brahmins. Gods like Vishnu, Shiva and their many incarnations such as Krishna etc. were included in mainstream worship. However, this practice of Hinduism could not exclude the earlier deities worshipped. So myths and legends were propagated to include them. Ayyapan who was worshiped originally by the natives was popularized as the son of Lord Shiva and Vishnu’s feminine form (Mohini). Goddess Kali was said to be the dark aspect of Shakti or Parvati as worshiped by Hinduism. Goddess Bhagavathy is the favorite deity of most Malayali Hindus. This reflects the firm ideology of matriarchal society in Kerala. Study of the Vedas, the Upanishads and acceptance of the Hindu metaphysical ideologies was common. A lot many festival rituals started to be followed and these were neither strictly Aryan nor Dravidian in their origin.

Kerala Rituals

By the 8th century A.D., the caste system as propagated by the Aryan Brahmins had successfully taken root. Slowly caste oppression weaned the lower castes away from Hinduism. It is believed that there was active trade between Kerala and the Middle East as far back as the 7th century. The Arab and Jew traders brought with them their religion. Islam started to prosper as an alternative religion. Further conversions were forcefully made by Tipu Sultan’s army.

In about A.D. 52, St. Thomas landed in Kerala and preached Christianity. Many conversions have been made since then. These Christians of Kerala, referred to as Syriac Christians are concentrated in the region called Travancore in Kerala. St. Thomas is said to have established 7 churches through the land of which only 4 exist now. The Portuguese introduced Latin rites into the existing Christian society. Later the word of the religion was preached by the Roman Catholic Church and the British Missionaries.

Jain and Buddhist families also reside in the state. The famous Jain Temple at Palakkad testifies to the sentiments of this religious group. Buddhism was brought into the state during the reign of Emperor Asoka and is still a part of the religious diversity displayed by the state.