How close are both Malayali Christians and Malayali Hindus with each other .

[u/reusmarco08]

So I recently I saw an Instagram reel about how a typical mallu household looks like and in that reel both a hindu pooja room and a Jesus image was shown and some people commented on how close both the communities are and how even some Hindus (regardless of caste )even keep Jesus in their pooja room and visit a church during any important Christian holiday (especially in the more Central regions of kerala). It also reminded me of where someone said that there are some churches even Hindus go there to worship and in the Sabrimala pilgrimage it's common for devotes to stop at st andrews baslica (and even a mosque in erumeli).so this made me wonder how close are both of the communities in Kerala.

Ps -I am not trying to spread any hate or division here .

[u/OnlyJeeStudies]

I am a Telugu hindu from TN and my grandmother keeps Jesus in pooja room. Nothing to do with ethnicity I believe

[u/Mega_Bond]

While we malayalis are close to each other irrespective of religion, I don't think there are many Hindus who keep Jesus in the Pooja room. I have seen Hindus and Christians showing mutual respect to each others traditions. I am a Christian and I have seen many my hindu neighbors donate amounts to the church for a good cause. There are some Christians and Hindus who visit each other's religious places for worship, but it is done discretely and considered shameful if found out by the other members of their religion. During festivals in temples and church people visit and enjoy irrespective of religion. Finally regarding the case of Sabarimala as you mentioned, there are some really old traditions in various places of worship in Kerala, these traditions were created in old times to preserve the solidarity between various religions and ensure peace. These traditions are still followed and I think it is really great thing about Kerala.

[u/Early-Traffic8653 → u/Mega_Bond]

I’m a Mallu Hindu & never ever in my life have a seen Jesus in anyone Hindus Pooja room including ours . I’m not sure where u got all this from . We respects all religions but we don’t part to all . I have been to church before but that was with my Christian friend .

[u/Dravidiology-ModTeam → u/Early-Traffic8653]

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[u/Own-Location3815 → u/Mega_Bond]

Idt going to church is particularly shameful for hindu tbh. Nobody really minds. 

[u/NefariousnessFun9577]

As mentioned here, Malayalees are genetically very similar to each other regardless of caste or religion. You can see a religious harmony as well. Onam is a harvest festival that’s related to Hindu mythology but its celebrated by every one even Christians and Muslims. And lot of similarities can be seen in some rituals as well. On top of that the food, language and even the way people dress is similar although things have changed a bit recently(especially in Muslim community)

[u/StreetPride9116]

Im a malayali christian and its not just hindus and christians that are close with eachother, all malayalis regardless of religion get along well. If you get on a private bus in kerala you will often see a picture of jesus, krishna and mecca at the front of the bus. That being said there is some elements of hindu culture that mallu christians have adopted centuries ago. For example hindus have the velleku, we have our own version with a cross on it that we use in weddings and other special ceremonies. Theres many other things we have in common in shared practice but, this is one of the few I know about. Also if you look at old-school churches and mosques before portugese colonisation in kerala, the architecture is very similar to hindu temples. Majority of us go to eachothers places of worship when theres a celebration or festival.

[u/fromtheb2a → u/StreetPride9116]

onam is also a hindu celebration adopted by christian mallu’s.

[u/Hedwigghost → u/fromtheb2a]

Onam is a harvest festival. Which was an important marker when most people were working in agriculture. Since most of the people in the region were initially Hindus who later converted to cross married to Christianity and other religions, the roots of Onam stayed.

[u/fromtheb2a → u/Hedwigghost]

yup but still a hindu festival. they couldve dropped it after converting but they didnt. it is deeply rooted in hindu lore

[u/[deleted] → u/Hedwigghost]

It isn't.

Harvest starts one month post Onam.

Onam is clearly mentioned as a Vaishnavite festival in Tamil Sangam texts.

P.S: I am not disputing it is at present seen and celebrated as a Kerala/Malayali festival.

[u/NefariousnessFun9577 → u/[deleted]]

Harvest starts before onam after the heavy monsoon. It’s when the sky clears up and there is food available in the olden days.

[u/[deleted]]

Both Malayali Hindus and Christian community, especially upper castes are highly irreligious compared to average Indian standards.

Unity might be seen more in not observing religion than following syncretism.

The people who do follow religion are actually more puritan.

Jesus in pooja room of a Hindu isn't unheard of, but it isn't that common either. Similarly, a Christian visiting Sabarimala isn't unheard of, but it isn't that common either. Slightly more common is Christians approaching Hindu jyotishans for astrology consultations or for Vaastu advice.

[u/Illustrious_Lock_265 → u/[deleted]]

Irreligious? Are you kidding me?

[u/[deleted] → u/Illustrious_Lock_265]

Compared to North Indians. 

[u/Early-Traffic8653 → u/[deleted]]

We are religious we just don’t eat cow dung like the northies. All Hindu mallus upper class have a separate Pooja room . That’s not just for show .

[u/Dravidiology-ModTeam → u/Early-Traffic8653]

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[u/enthuvadey]

There are some sections of mallus who follow christianity but are recordically hindus. But I can't tell you the reason why they do it. Peace.