Religion and Caste in Kerala

Hindus constitute the majority of the population followed by Christians and Muslims. The Hindu community lies grouped on the basis of castes and sub castes as elsewhere in the State. The Nairs, the Ezhavas, the scheduled castes and tribes form the majority of the Hindu community. They worship all the major gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Vishnu, Siva, Krishna, Ganapathi, Durga and Bhadrakali are the idols most worshipped.

Though Christianity is believed to have been introduced in Kerala in 52 A.D., the religion made progress only with the advent of the Portuguese towards the end of the 15th century. Christians belong mainly to the Latin Catholic Church, the Church of South India and the Orthodox Syrian Church. The Muslim community also forms a major division of the total population.

Economic, social and other ties bind the members of different religious groups at the local level. People live in peace and amity, influencing and being influenced by the culture of one another.