Hinduism in Kerala: Difference between revisions

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[[File:An engraved view of a Hindu temple and pond in Malabar.jpg|thumb|A Hindu temple and pond associated with it in Kerala]]
{{Short description|Overview of Hinduism n Kerala}}


[[File:Anantapura Lake Temple.jpg|left|thumb|[[Ananthapura Lake Temple]], [[Kasaragod]]]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}


[[Hinduism]] is the largest religion in [[Kerala]] and Hindu castes together make up 54.8% of the population of the state according to the 2011 census.
{{Infobox religious group|group=Keralite Hindus<br>കേരളീയ ഹിന്ദുക്കൾ<br>keraleeya hindukkal|image=Panchavadyam.jpg|image_caption= Panchavadyam (orchestra of 5 instruments) during a festival|population=18,282,492 ([[2011 Census of India|2011]])<br/>'''54.7%''' of total population{{Decrease}}|languages='''Sacred'''<br/>[[Sanskrit]]<br/>'''Others'''<br/>{{hlist|'''[[Malayalam]]'''}}|religions='''[[Hinduism]]'''|related-c=[[Islam in Kerala|Keralite Muslims]] and [[Christianity in Kerala|Keralite Christians]]}}
[[File:Vadakkumnathan Temple.jpg|thumb|[[Vadakkunnathan Temple]] dedicated to [[Shiva]] at [[Thrissur]]]]


Several saints and movements existed. [[Adi Shankara]] was a [[Hindu]] philosopher who contributed to Hinduism and propagated philosophy of [[Advaita]]. He was instrumental in establishing four [[matha]]s at [[Sringeri]], [[Dwarka]], [[Puri]] and [[Jyotirmath]]. [[Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri]] was another Brahmin religious figure who composed [[Narayaniyam]], a collection of verses in praise of [[Krishna]].
[[Hinduism]] is the largest [[religion in Kerala]] and Hindu lineages together make up 54.7% of the population of the state according to the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]].<ref name="censusindia2011religion"/>


Various practises of Hinduism are unique to Kerala. Different cults of [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]] are popular in Kerala. Lord [[Krishna]] is worshipped widely in all parts of Kerala, [[Guruvayur]] being one of the most famous temples in the state. Malayali Hindus also worship [[Bhagavathi]] as a form of [[Shakti]]. Almost every village in Kerala has its own local guardian deity, usually a goddess. Hindus in Kerala also strongly believe in power of snake gods and usually have sacred snake groves known as ''[[Sarpa Kavu]]'' near to their houses.[[File:Vavu Bali.jpg|thumb|left|''Vavu Bali'' ceremony honoring the deceased in the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of Karkadakam]]
== Background ==
[[Hinduism]] is the most widely professed faith in Kerala. According to [[2011 Census of India]] figures, 54.7% of Kerala's residents are Hindus.<ref name="censusindia2011religion">{{cite web |title=Population by religious communities |work=Census of India |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html |publisher=Government of India |access-date=26 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827210435/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html |archive-date=27 August 2015}}
</ref> [[Hindu]]s represent the biggest religious group in all districts except [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]].<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/23/stories/2004092306010500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041128124211/http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/23/stories/2004092306010500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 November 2004 |location=Chennai, India |title=Increase in Muslim population in the State |date=23 September 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=13 November 2015}}</ref>


Some of the most notable temples are: [[Ananthapura Lake Temple]], [[Angadipuram]] [[Thirumandhamkunnu Temple]], [[Alattiyur, Malappuram|Alathiyoor Hanuman Temple]], [[Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple]], [[Kadampuzha Devi Temple]], [[Keraladeshpuram Temple]], [[Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple]], [[Sukapuram|Sukapuram Dakshinamoorthy Temple]], [[Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple]], [[Triprangode Siva Temple]], [[Tali Shiva Temple]], [[Tirur|Trikkandiyur Siva Temple]], [[Vadakkunnathan Temple|Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple]], [[Guruvayur Temple]], [[Lokanarkavu Temple]], [[Thirunelli Temple]], [[Sabarimala|Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple]], [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple|Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple]], [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]], [[Chottanikkara Temple]], [[Chengannur Mahadeva Temple]], [[Muthappan Temple|Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple]], [[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]], [[Mannarasala Temple]], [[Chakkulathukavu Temple]], [[Sreevallabha Temple|Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple]], [[Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple]], [[Panayannarkavu|Parumala Panayannarkavu Temple]], [[Sree Poornathrayesa Temple]], [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple]], [[Attukal Temple]], [[Trikkur Mahadeva Temple]] and [[Rajarajeshwara Temple]].  
The  legends regarding the origin of Kerala are Hindu in nature. Kerala produced several saints and movements. [[File:Raja Ravi Varma - Sankaracharya.jpg|thumb|right|[[Adi Shankara]], was from Kerala.|258x258px]][[Adi Shankara]] was a religious philosopher who contributed to Hinduism and propagated the philosophy of [[Advaita]]. He was instrumental in establishing four [[matha]]s at [[Sringeri]], [[Dwarka]], [[Puri]] and [[Jyotirmath]]. [[Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri]] was another religious figure who composed [[Narayaniyam]], a collection of verses in praise of the Hindu God [[Krishna]].


[[Malayali]] Hindus have unique ceremonies such as ''Chorunu'' (first feeding of rice to a child) and [[Vidyāraṃbhaṃ]].
Various practises of Hinduism are unique to Kerala. Worship of [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]] is popular in Kerala. Lord [[Krishna]] is worshipped widely in all parts of Kerala, [[Guruvayur]] being one of the most famous temples in the state. Malayali Hindus also worship [[Bhagavathi]] as a form of [[Shakti]]. Almost every village in Kerala has a Bhagavati Goddess. Hindus in Kerala also strongly believe in power of snake gods and usually have sacred snake groves known as ''[[Sarpa Kavu]]'' near to their houses.
 
[[Malayali]] Hindus have ceremonies such as ''[[Annaprashana|Chorunu]]'' (first feeding of rice to a child) and [[Vidyāraṃbhaṃ]].
 
== Demographics ==
{{Main|Religion in Kerala|Demographics of Kerala|l1 = Religion}}
 
=== Hindu population by district ===
[[File:Percent Distribution of District Population by Hindu Castes.png|700px|thumb|left|Percent Distribution of District Population by Hindu Castes]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Districts
!Population([[2001 Census of India|2001]])
!Population([[2011 Census of India|2011]])
!Hindu Population([[2011 Census of India|2011]])
!Hindus %
|-
|[[Kasargod district|Kasargod]]
|1,203,342
|1,307,375
|729,908
|55.83%
|-
|[[Kannur district|Kannur]]
|2,412,365
|2,523,003
|1,509,513
|59.83%
|-
|[[Wayanad district|Wayanad]]
|786,627
|817,420
|404,460
|49.48%
|-
|[[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]
|2,878,498
|3,086,293
|1,734,806
|56.21%
|-
|[[Malappuram district|Malappuram]]
|3,629,640
|4,112,920
|1,135,166
|27.60%
|-
|[[Palakkad district|Palakkad]]
|2,617,072
|2,809,934
|1,875,912
|66.76%
|-
|[[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]
|2,975,440
|3,121,200
|1,823,405
|58.42%
|-
|[[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]
|3,098,378
|3,282,388
|1,509,570
|45.99%
|-
|[[Idukki district|Idukki]]
|1,128,605
|1,093,156
|541,845
|48.86%
|-
|[[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]
|1,952,901
|1,974,551
|983,524
|49.81%
|-
|[[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]
|2,105,349
|2,127,789
|1,460,515
|68.64%
|-
|[[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]
|1,231,577
|1,197,412
|681,687
|56.93%
|-
|[[Kollam district|Kollam]]
|2,584,118
|2,635,375
|1,697,709
|64.42%
|-
|[[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]]
|3,234,707
|3,301,427
|2,209,975
|66.94%
|-
!Total
!31,841,374
!33,406,061
!18,282,492
!54.9%
|-
! colspan="4" |Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=Vital Statistics Reports|url=http://www.ecostat.kerala.gov.in/index.php/reports/vital-statistics-reports.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607065625/http://www.ecostat.kerala.gov.in/index.php/reports/vital-statistics-reports.html|archive-date=7 June 2016|access-date=2016-06-01|publisher=Government of Kerala, Vital Statistics Division Department of Economics & Statistics Thiruvananthapuram}}</ref>
|}
 
=== Historical growth ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="line-height:20px;text-align:center;"
|+Religious Demographics of Kerala (1901–2011)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Raghunath|first=Arjun|date=2016-03-16|title=Kerala: Muslims will be double the number of Christians by 2051|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/160316/kerala-muslims-will-be-double-the-number-of-christians-by-2051.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319141038/http://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/160316/kerala-muslims-will-be-double-the-number-of-christians-by-2051.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 March 2016|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala population Demographics|url=http://14.139.171.199:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/87/WP468.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Bitscan|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611195258/http://14.139.171.199:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/87/WP468.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!Census
Year
| colspan="2" bgcolor="Red" |[[Hinduism|<span style="color:white;">'''Hindus'''</span>]]
| bgcolor="Red" |<span style="color:white;">'''''Decadal rate (%)'''''</span>
|-
!1901
|8,978,305
|'''68.5%'''
|''N/A''
|-
!1911
|4,762,393
|'''66.8%'''
| -8.77
|-
!1921
|5,052,039
|'''64.9%'''
| -6.08
|-
!1931
|6,021,982
|'''63.4%'''
| -19.20
|-
!1941
|6,699,600
|'''61.8%'''
| -11.25
|-
!1951
|8,344,351
|'''61.6%'''
| -24.55
|-
!1961
|10,282,568
|'''60.9%'''
| -23.23
|-
!1971
|12,683,277
|'''59.4%'''
| -23.35
|-
!1981
|14,901,347
|'''58.2%'''
| -16.70
|-
!1991
|16,668,587
|'''57.3%'''
| -12.62
|-
!2001
|17,920,105
|'''56.3%'''
| -7.51
|-
!2011
|18,282,492
|'''54.9%'''
| -2.02
|}
 
== Hindu temples ==
{{Main|List of Hindu temples in Kerala}}
<gallery mode="nolines" heights="200" widths="200" perrow="4">
File:Anantapura Lake Temple.jpg|[[Ananthapura Lake Temple]], [[Kasaragod]].
File:Vadakkumnathan Temple.jpg|[[Vadakkunnathan Temple]] dedicated to [[Shiva]] at [[Thrissur]].
File:An engraved view of a Hindu temple and pond in Malabar.jpg|A [[Hindu temple]] and pond associated with it in [[Kerala]].
File:Thirunavaya (5).jpg|[[Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple]].
</gallery>
Some of the most notable temples are:
{{div col}}
* [[Ananthapura Lake Temple]]
* [[Angadipuram]]
* [[Thirumandhamkunnu Temple]]
* [[Alattiyur, Malappuram|Alathiyoor Hanuman Temple]]
* [[Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple]]
* [[Kadampuzha Devi Temple]]
* [[Keraladeshpuram Temple]]
* [[Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple]]
* [[Sukapuram|Sukapuram Dakshinamoorthy Temple]]
* [[Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple]]
* [[Triprangode Siva Temple]]
* [[Tali Shiva Temple]]
* [[Tirur|Trikkandiyur Siva Temple]]
* [[Vadakkunnathan Temple|Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple]]
* [[Guruvayur Temple]]
* [[Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple]]
* [[Lokanarkavu Temple]]
* [[Thirunelli Temple]]
* [[Sabarimala|Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple]]
* [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple|Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple]]
* [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]]
* [[Chottanikkara Temple]]
* [[Chengannur Mahadeva Temple]]
* [[Muthappan Temple|Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple]]
* [[Trichambaram Temple]]
* [[Parumala Valiya Panayannarkavu Devi Temple]]
* [[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]]
* [[Mannarasala Temple]]
* [[Chakkulathukavu Temple]]
* [[Sreevallabha Temple]]
* [[Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple]]
* [[Sree Poornathrayesa Temple]]
* [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple]]
* [[Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple]]
* [[Attukal Temple]]
* [[Trikkur Mahadeva Temple]]
* [[Rajarajeshwara Temple]]
* [[Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple]]
* [[Oachira Temple]]
{{div col end}}


==Saints==
==Saints==
[[File:Thirunavaya (5).jpg|thumbnail|[[Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple]]]]
Adi Shankara, the originator of Advaita Vedanta, was born in [[Kalady]] and was likely a [[Nambudiri|Nambuthiri]]. Many [[Hindu]] saints and [[swami]]s from many castes have lived in Kerala. [[Sree Narayana Gurudevan|Sree Narayana Guru]], Enadinatha, Ilakkulaccanrar, Tiruppana were all outside the Brahminical caste fold; [[Cheraman Perumal (Nayanar)|Cheraman Nayanar]] was a Kothayar; and [[Chattampi Swamikal]], Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi and [[Swami Chinmayananda]], the [[Nair]] caste. The [[Dalits#Hindu Dalits (Harijans)|Parayas]] of Kerala claim descent from [[Vasishtha]].<ref>Dr. C. I. Issac, "The Origin of Syrian Christians of Keralam"</ref> There is a shrine in Kollengode in memory of a lower-caste saint, Paakkanar.<ref>P. 94-5''Tourist Guide to Kerala: The Land of Lavish Lagoons'' By V. Subburaj, Various</ref> The theatrical dance of Rapayan Tullal is narrated by a descendant of Pakkanar.<ref>(Kr̥ṣṇavāriyar, P. 193 ''A History of Malayalam Metre'')</ref> The ''Periya Puranam'', possibly written by a Paraya, describes the Parayas.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Vishwakarma (Mahaprabhu.)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-NDYtgAACAAJ|title=Prachin Vishwakarma puran|date=2000|publisher=Harihar|language=gu}}</ref>
Kerala is home to [[Hindu]] saints and [[swami]]s of all castes. [[Ayya Vaikundar|Vaikunda Swami]], who was the first among the saints of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu<ref>[http://www.education.kerala.gov.in/englishmedium/historyeng/chapter9.pdf www.education.kerala.gov.in] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217193847/http://www.education.kerala.gov.in/englishmedium/historyeng/chapter9.pdf |date=2008-12-17 }} Towards Modern Kerala, 10th Standard Text Book, Chapter 9, Page 101. See this Pdf</ref> was a [[Nadar (caste)|Nadar]]. Bhagavan [[Sree Narayana Gurudevan]], Sant Enadinatha, Sant Ilakkulaccanrar, Sant Tiruppana were all outside brahmin caste fold, [[Cheraman Perumal (Nayanar)|Cheraman Nayanar]] was a Kothayar, [[Chattampi Swamikal]], Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi and [[Swami Chinmayananda]] were of the [[Nair]] caste, and [[Adi Shankara]] was a [[Nambuthiri]] [[Brahmin]]. The [[Dalits#Hindu Dalits (Harijans)|Harijan Parayas]] of Kerala claim to descend from [[Vasist|Sant Vasistha]].<ref>Dr. C. I. Issac, "The Origin of Syrian Christians of Keralam"</ref> Kollengode has a structure near Thirthala-Koottanad Road, in memory of a Harijan saint, Sant Paakkanar.<ref>P. 94-5''Tourist Guide to Kerala: The Land of Lavish Lagoons'' By V. Subburaj, Various</ref> In the Rapayan Tujjal, the narrator (dancer-reciter) is a Harijan and a descendant of Sant Pakkanar.<ref>(Kr̥ṣṇavāriyar, P. 193 ''A History of Malayalam Metre'')</ref> The ''Periya Puranam'', possibly written by a Paraya, describes the Parayas. Further, the ''Vishvakarma Purana'' was written by a [[sonar]] (goldsmith).
[[File:Narayana Guru at Sixty.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Narayana Guru]] at the age of sixty.]]


Chenkottukonam Madathipathi Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi is popularly regarded as the father of contemporary Hindu renaissance in Kerala for the victorious movements he led for temple rights and the establishment of [[Hindu Aikya Vedi]] for integrating Hindus of all classes. He is reckoned as the greatest karmayogi to uphold [[Sanatana Dharma]] since [[Swami Vivekananda]] internationally.
Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi is popularly regarded as the father of contemporary Hindu renaissance in Kerala for the victorious movements he led for temple rights and the establishment of [[Hindu Aikya Vedi]] for integrating people of all castes into one religion. He is reckoned as the greatest karmayogi to uphold [[Sanatana Dharma]] since [[Swami Vivekananda]] internationally. Sree Narayana Jayanti ([[Narayana Guru|Narayana Guru's birthday]]) and Sree Narayana Samadhi Day (the occasion of his [[samadhi]]) are public holidays in Kerala.


The official festivals of Sree Narayana Jayanti (Narayana Guru's birthday) and Sree Narayana Samadhi Day (Narayana Guru's death) are celebrated by the Keralites in memory of a great Shudra reformer of their society.
[[Mata Amritanandamayi]], known among her devotees as ''Amma'', was selected to represent the [[Hindu Dharma]] in the World Parliament of Religions in September 1991.&lt;ref&gt;[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3136524.stm "Devotees flock to hug Indian guru" (BBC)]&lt;/ref&gt; [[Bhagawan Nityananda]] was another important Hindu saint widely recognized.


The modern Hindu [[Karma yoga|Karma yogi]] saint Amma [[Mata Amritanandamayi]] was selected to represent [[Hindu Dharma]] in the World Parliament of Religions in September 1991.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3136524.stm "Devotees flock to hug Indian guru" (BBC)]</ref>  [[Bhagawan Nityananda]] is another important Hindu saint recognized worldwide.
Several Hindu movements important to the [[History of Hinduism|development of Hinduism]] took place in Kerala.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|title=Sri Vaishnava Divya Desam Shrines in Kerala|url=http://www.templenet.com/Kerala/kerala_dd.htm|access-date=2021-07-19|website=www.templenet.com}}&lt;/ref&gt; The [[Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple]], (one of the most ancient in India) dedicated to the Kirata [[Avatar]] of [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] still exists in Kerala.
 
Several Hindu movements important to [[Hindu history]] took place in Kerala.<ref>[http://www.templenet.com/Kerala/kerala_dd.htm]</ref> The [[Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple]], (one of the most ancient in India) dedicated to the Kirata [[Avatar]] of [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] still exists in Kerala.


==Religious education==
{{excerpt|Religious education in Kerala|Hinduism}}
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Demographics of Kerala]]
{{Portal|Hinduism|India
}}
*[[Demographics of Kerala]]
*[[Hinduism in India]]
{{Clear}}


==References==
==References==
{{commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Cite web|title=Religions in Kerala|url=https://www.prokeralama.com/kerala/religions.htm|website=ProKerala}}
{{Hinduism in India by region}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hinduism In Kerala}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hinduism In Kerala}}
[[Category:Hinduism in Kerala| ]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Kerala| ]]

Revision as of 06:05, 26 January 2026



Keralite Hindus<br>കേരളീയ ഹിന്ദുക്കൾ<br>keraleeya hindukkal
Panchavadyam (orchestra of 5 instruments) during a festival
Panchavadyam (orchestra of 5 instruments) during a festival
Total population
18,282,492 (2011)<br/>54.7% of total populationDecrease
Religions
Hinduism
Languages
Sacred<br/>Sanskrit<br/>Others<br/>
Related ethnic groups
Keralite Muslims and Keralite Christians

Hinduism is the largest religion in Kerala and Hindu lineages together make up 54.7% of the population of the state according to the 2011 census.<ref name="censusindia2011religion"/>

Background

Hinduism is the most widely professed faith in Kerala. According to 2011 Census of India figures, 54.7% of Kerala's residents are Hindus.<ref name="censusindia2011religion">"Population by religious communities". Census of India. Government of India. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015. </ref> Hindus represent the biggest religious group in all districts except Malappuram.<ref name="thehindu1">"Increase in Muslim population in the State". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 23 September 2004. Archived from the original on 28 November 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2015.</ref>

The legends regarding the origin of Kerala are Hindu in nature. Kerala produced several saints and movements.

Adi Shankara, was from Kerala.

Adi Shankara was a religious philosopher who contributed to Hinduism and propagated the philosophy of Advaita. He was instrumental in establishing four mathas at Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri and Jyotirmath. Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was another religious figure who composed Narayaniyam, a collection of verses in praise of the Hindu God Krishna.

Various practises of Hinduism are unique to Kerala. Worship of Shiva and Vishnu is popular in Kerala. Lord Krishna is worshipped widely in all parts of Kerala, Guruvayur being one of the most famous temples in the state. Malayali Hindus also worship Bhagavathi as a form of Shakti. Almost every village in Kerala has a Bhagavati Goddess. Hindus in Kerala also strongly believe in power of snake gods and usually have sacred snake groves known as Sarpa Kavu near to their houses.

Malayali Hindus have ceremonies such as Chorunu (first feeding of rice to a child) and Vidyāraṃbhaṃ.

Demographics

Main articles: Religion and Demographics of Kerala

Hindu population by district

Percent Distribution of District Population by Hindu Castes
Districts Population(2001) Population(2011) Hindu Population(2011) Hindus %
Kasargod 1,203,342 1,307,375 729,908 55.83%
Kannur 2,412,365 2,523,003 1,509,513 59.83%
Wayanad 786,627 817,420 404,460 49.48%
Kozhikode 2,878,498 3,086,293 1,734,806 56.21%
Malappuram 3,629,640 4,112,920 1,135,166 27.60%
Palakkad 2,617,072 2,809,934 1,875,912 66.76%
Thrissur 2,975,440 3,121,200 1,823,405 58.42%
Ernakulam 3,098,378 3,282,388 1,509,570 45.99%
Idukki 1,128,605 1,093,156 541,845 48.86%
Kottayam 1,952,901 1,974,551 983,524 49.81%
Alappuzha 2,105,349 2,127,789 1,460,515 68.64%
Pathanamthitta 1,231,577 1,197,412 681,687 56.93%
Kollam 2,584,118 2,635,375 1,697,709 64.42%
Thiruvananthapuram 3,234,707 3,301,427 2,209,975 66.94%
Total 31,841,374 33,406,061 18,282,492 54.9%
Source:<ref>"Vital Statistics Reports". Government of Kerala, Vital Statistics Division Department of Economics & Statistics Thiruvananthapuram. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.</ref>

Historical growth

Religious Demographics of Kerala (1901–2011)<ref>Raghunath, Arjun (16 March 2016). "Kerala: Muslims will be double the number of Christians by 2051". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2021.</ref><ref>"Kerala population Demographics" (PDF). Bitscan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2021.</ref>
Census

Year

<span style="color:white;">Hindus</span> <span style="color:white;">Decadal rate (%)</span>
1901 8,978,305 68.5% N/A
1911 4,762,393 66.8% -8.77
1921 5,052,039 64.9% -6.08
1931 6,021,982 63.4% -19.20
1941 6,699,600 61.8% -11.25
1951 8,344,351 61.6% -24.55
1961 10,282,568 60.9% -23.23
1971 12,683,277 59.4% -23.35
1981 14,901,347 58.2% -16.70
1991 16,668,587 57.3% -12.62
2001 17,920,105 56.3% -7.51
2011 18,282,492 54.9% -2.02

Hindu temples

Main article: List of Hindu temples in Kerala

<gallery mode="nolines" heights="200" widths="200" perrow="4"> File:Anantapura Lake Temple.jpg|Ananthapura Lake Temple, Kasaragod. File:Vadakkumnathan Temple.jpg|Vadakkunnathan Temple dedicated to Shiva at Thrissur. File:An engraved view of a Hindu temple and pond in Malabar.jpg|A Hindu temple and pond associated with it in Kerala. File:Thirunavaya (5).jpg|Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple. </gallery> Some of the most notable temples are:

Saints

Adi Shankara, the originator of Advaita Vedanta, was born in Kalady and was likely a Nambuthiri. Many Hindu saints and swamis from many castes have lived in Kerala. Sree Narayana Guru, Enadinatha, Ilakkulaccanrar, Tiruppana were all outside the Brahminical caste fold; Cheraman Nayanar was a Kothayar; and Chattampi Swamikal, Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi and Swami Chinmayananda, the Nair caste. The Parayas of Kerala claim descent from Vasishtha.<ref>Dr. C. I. Issac, "The Origin of Syrian Christians of Keralam"</ref> There is a shrine in Kollengode in memory of a lower-caste saint, Paakkanar.<ref>P. 94-5Tourist Guide to Kerala: The Land of Lavish Lagoons By V. Subburaj, Various</ref> The theatrical dance of Rapayan Tullal is narrated by a descendant of Pakkanar.<ref>(Kr̥ṣṇavāriyar, P. 193 A History of Malayalam Metre)</ref> The Periya Puranam, possibly written by a Paraya, describes the Parayas.<ref>Vishwakarma (Mahaprabhu.) (2000). Prachin Vishwakarma puran (in ગુજરાતી). Harihar.</ref>

Narayana Guru at the age of sixty.

Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi is popularly regarded as the father of contemporary Hindu renaissance in Kerala for the victorious movements he led for temple rights and the establishment of Hindu Aikya Vedi for integrating people of all castes into one religion. He is reckoned as the greatest karmayogi to uphold Sanatana Dharma since Swami Vivekananda internationally. Sree Narayana Jayanti (Narayana Guru's birthday) and Sree Narayana Samadhi Day (the occasion of his samadhi) are public holidays in Kerala.

Mata Amritanandamayi, known among her devotees as Amma, was selected to represent the Hindu Dharma in the World Parliament of Religions in September 1991.<ref>"Devotees flock to hug Indian guru" (BBC)</ref> Bhagawan Nityananda was another important Hindu saint widely recognized.

Several Hindu movements important to the development of Hinduism took place in Kerala.<ref>"Sri Vaishnava Divya Desam Shrines in Kerala". www.templenet.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.</ref> The Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple, (one of the most ancient in India) dedicated to the Kirata Avatar of Lord Shiva still exists in Kerala.

Religious education

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See also

References

External links

Template:Hinduism in India by region

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