Hinduism in Kerala

Hinduism is the largest religion in Kerala and Hindu lineages together make up 54.8% of the population of the state according to the 2011 census.

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. Hindus represent the biggest religious group in all districts except Malappuram.

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

Hindu temples
Some of the most notable temples are:


 * Ananthapura Lake Temple
 * Angadipuram
 * Thirumandhamkunnu Temple
 * Alathiyoor Hanuman Temple
 * Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple
 * Kadampuzha Devi Temple
 * Keraladeshpuram Temple
 * Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple
 * Sukapuram Dakshinamoorthy Temple
 * Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple
 * Triprangode Siva Temple
 * Tali Shiva Temple
 * Trikkandiyur Siva Temple
 * Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple
 * Guruvayur Temple
 * Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
 * Lokanarkavu Temple
 * Thirunelli Temple
 * Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
 * Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple
 * Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
 * Chottanikkara Temple
 * Chengannur Mahadeva Temple
 * Parassinikadavu Muthappan 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

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. There is a shrine in Kollengode in memory of a lower-caste saint, Paakkanar. The theatrical dance of Rapayan Tullal is narrated by a descendant of Pakkanar. The Periya Puranam, possibly written by a Paraya, describes the Parayas.

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. Bhagawan Nityananda was another important Hindu saint widely recognized.

Several Hindu movements important to Hindu history took place in Kerala. The Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple, (one of the most ancient in India) dedicated to the Kirata Avatar of Lord Shiva still exists in Kerala.