Religious history

From time immemorial Kannur was famous as evidenced from historical facts such as Aryan invasion, conquests of Chera Kings, Arab and European invasions etc.  Arakkal Ali Rajahs of Kannur were the only Muslim Royal family of Kerala. Ezhimala, known as Elimala (Mountain of Rats) ruled by Mooshika dynasty of Kannur, was mentioned in the travelogues of many foreign travelers. Kannur was under the rule of Kolathiri royal dynasty in past days and later by foreigners till independence. Kannur is the land of Theyyam [colloquial form of Daivam (God)].  

In the ancient days, the people followed an independent religious philosophy related with Dravidian practices. Around 3rd Century B.C., Jainism and Buddhism came into the district. It was the Jainism that set foot in the region. Dharmadam, known as Dharmapattanam in ancient days, a small town near Thalassery was a Buddhist stronghold.  Both Jainism and Buddhism declined consequent on the insurgence of Aryans and by the revival of Hinduism. Efforts of Sri Sankaracharya and Bhakthi movement contributed much for the promotion of Hinduism. There is an opinion that Kannur might have received its name from the combination of two Malayalam words, Kannan (Lord Sri Kishna) and Uru (place) which means the place of Lord Sri Krishna. One of the peculiarities of religious philosophy in Kannur is that the concept of Lord Muthappan. According to them Lord Muthappan is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Some believe that Lord Muthappan is the son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy when they were in disguise as hunters. Another peculiarity is the presence of an unidentified deity known as Daivathar. Some are of view that Daivathar is a deity of Saivite origin, while some others are of opinion that the deity is of Vaishnavite origin.

Though Christianity came to Kerala in 52 A.D., it did not make any impact on the religious thoughts of the people. The arrival of foreigners created a favourable atmosphere for Christianity, but situation did not improve till the influx of Christian immigrants from Travancore to the eastern parts of the district during the first half of 20th Century. However, Islam religion spread widely in the district after 7th Century A.D.  The only Muslim royal family (Arakkal royal family) existed in Kannur. Communal harmony and religious tolerance are the remarkable characteristics of the people of Kannur.