In Kerala, people have religious tolerance. Everyone respects his own as well as other religions, their practices etc..When there's a festival in a Temple, Christians also go to Temple and vice versa. In some churches, for their religious procession, a hindu holds a lamp for the saint throughout the procession.
Recently there was a news which emphasises this religious harmony. There was a big feast in a church. Just infront of the church, there lived a Hindu family. Only a couple of days before the feast, a boy of this Hindu family was diagnosed with a chronic illness. You'll be surprised about what this parish has done - they cancelled all celeberations of the feast. Money collected for the celeberations of the church was given to this Hindu family for their kid's treatment !!!
Many of you might have heard of Sabarimala. For those who don't know, it's a a fomous hindu pilgrim centre. Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop (about 3000 feet above sea level) named Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district, which is unique in many respects. The uniqueness gathers its voice, as the temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. There is a place near the temple; east to Sannidhanam, dedicated to the Vavar (a sufi and friend of Lord Ayyappa) which is called 'Vavarunada', an epitome of religious harmony. En route the pilgrimage to Sabarimala during the makaravilakku season almost all of the Ayyappa devotees will come to Erumely which is the gateway to Sabarimala and perform kind of dance known as 'petta thullal'. Pettathullal starts from the small temple situated at the heart of Erumely town known as 'Kochambalam'. From there the dance procession advance to the Muslim mosque called 'Vavar palli' opposite to Kochambalam and the devotees worship 'Vavarswamy'. Only then they proceed to Sabarimala.
Recently there was a news which emphasises this religious harmony. There was a big feast in a church. Just infront of the church, there lived a Hindu family. Only a couple of days before the feast, a boy of this Hindu family was diagnosed with a chronic illness. You'll be surprised about what this parish has done - they cancelled all celeberations of the feast. Money collected for the celeberations of the church was given to this Hindu family for their kid's treatment !!!
Many of you might have heard of Sabarimala. For those who don't know, it's a a fomous hindu pilgrim centre. Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop (about 3000 feet above sea level) named Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district, which is unique in many respects. The uniqueness gathers its voice, as the temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. There is a place near the temple; east to Sannidhanam, dedicated to the Vavar (a sufi and friend of Lord Ayyappa) which is called 'Vavarunada', an epitome of religious harmony. En route the pilgrimage to Sabarimala during the makaravilakku season almost all of the Ayyappa devotees will come to Erumely which is the gateway to Sabarimala and perform kind of dance known as 'petta thullal'. Pettathullal starts from the small temple situated at the heart of Erumely town known as 'Kochambalam'. From there the dance procession advance to the Muslim mosque called 'Vavar palli' opposite to Kochambalam and the devotees worship 'Vavarswamy'. Only then they proceed to Sabarimala.
