Religious History

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. For more than 700 years, Buddhism flourished in Kerala. The Paliyam Copper plate of the Ay King, Varaguna (885-925AD) shows that at least in South Kerala, Buddhists continued to enjoy royal patronage even until 1000 AD. Revival of Hinduism by Brahmin scholars in 800-1000 AD gradually wiped out Buddhism from Kerala. It is believed that many Hindu temples in the region were originally Jain temples or Buddha shrines. Jain temple at Chitharal, near Thiruvananthapuram is an indication of the presence of Jainism in Thiruvananthapuram. Some historians are of opinion that rock cut temple at Vizhinjam and Madavoorpara were either Jain temples or Buddhist shrines. Some argue that Buddha continued to be worshipped as Sastha or Ayyappa in Kerala and the recital of Swami Sharanam has been derived from Budham Sharanam. Efforts of Sri Sankaracharya and Bhakthi movement donated much for the promotion of Hinduism. Contributions of Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, Melpathur Narayana Bhattathirippad, Poonthanam Namboodiri,  Kunchan Nambiar etc. accelerated the Bhakthi movement. However, a stratified society formed in Kerala causing divisions based on caste and social evils like untouchability. People belonging to lower castes were not allowed to enter temples. Chattambi Swamikal and Sree Narayana Guru, two renowned saints played significant roles for uplifting the down-trodden and against the evil practices in the society. Sree Narayana Guru even consecrated idols of deities by himself at a time when lower castes were denied permission to enter into temples. Agitations like Vaikom Sathyagraha, Guruvayur Sathyagraha for temple entry and revolutionary movements that took place in the early 20th century paved path to Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 by the Maharajah of erstwhile Travancore. The temples of erstwhile Travancore including the district were opened to all Hindu believers irrespective of caste.