r/india • u/sree_1983 • Jul 27 '13

[Weekly Discussion] Let's talk about:Kerala

State Kerala
Website http://kerala.gov.in/
Population 33,387,677
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy INC
Capital Thiruvananthapuram
Offical Language Malayalam
GDP Rs 74,620/-
Sex ratio 1084

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Original Thead which started this chains of discussion

Thanks to fuck_cricket, that_70s_show_fan and tripshed

Also, as a mallu, I have made top level discussion about food, temples and dances in Kerala

71 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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23

u/sree_1983 Jul 27 '13 edited Jul 27 '13

In this post I will be talking about few temples in Kerala, mainly in Thrissur district.

So lets get biggest fish out the way.

  • Thrissur Pooram, it is one of the most colorful festivals in Kerala. Please read the link to know all the participating temples.

  • Vadakkunnathan Temple, Shiva temple. It has its own unique way of offering prayer to the god. The boards were in Malayalam, since I cannot read or write it. I had to follow guidances of my family.

  • Nalambalam, set of 4 temples dedicated to, Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shatrugna. These are visited during Karkithakam/aadi (don't know english name). It is currently in season.

  • Pambummekkattu, a very traditional temple which worships naga's. AFAIK, it is not open throughout the month anymore. You will have to find the right time to visit.

  • Sri Krisha temple

--- Outside Trisshur ---

  • Sabarimala Ayyapa temple, AFAIK, only Malayalam Hindu temple which allows non-hindus. Also point to be noted, girls older than 10 years are not allowed. Women can visit the temple after they are 60 years old. Also, only temple where I know you visit Muslim Vavar when you are on pilgrimage to visit Ayappan.

  • Tirumanthamkunnu Temple, where famous mangalaya pooja is done, this is place where people whose marriage is not happening go to pray.

I am ignoring Padnambaswami temple as most of you will know from news. There a lot of temples in Kerala, and trying to list them out will be a futile effort, so I have listed out few which I have visited, except Tirumanthamkunnu.

Then before anything, yes temples in Kerala has a very strict dress code:

  • Mundu, Short - Allowed.

  • Lungi, full trousers - Not allowed.

  • Salwar Kameeze - Not allowed, few temples are relaxing this rule.

  • Saree - Allowed.

  • You cannot wear shirts when you are in inner courtyard of temple, i.e. for men.

Now, you guys can question why are these dress code around, I don't have a convincing answer for any of those. But these are the temple tradition and rules.

--- Other interesting temples----

  • Chottanikkara, this is temple which is said to cure possession, i.e. ghostly possession. Take a look at the legends section in wiki. Temple tree the famous temple tree which is nailed with iron nails supposedly containing spirits which haunted humans.

  • [Vishnu Maya Temple](http://www.devasthanam.com/], this is your kutti chattan temple. These temples do serve interesting prasadam.

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13

u/sree_1983 Jul 27 '13

So typical food items which you have to try when you are in Kerala:

Please do let me know if I have missed something, I am ignoring the common breakfast between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

So now you have done with breakfast, it is crazy when it comes to lunch. So in a typical Sadya has following items in it:

Then payasam, remember one will be milk based and one jaggery based:

I am not mentioning other one on the wiki because I have never had it. As alway Banana and jackfruit paysam's will be more difficult to make compared to milk based on.

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5

u/sree_1983 Jul 27 '13

So, next is traditional dance forms in Kerala.

  • Kathakali one of the famous dance forms from Kerala. IMO, it is very boring to watch as the same line is repeated multiple times so the dancer can enact the whole line which is being sung. Also, very strenuous dance forms. Traditionally done during midnight to early mornings in temples.

  • Theyyam, I have never seen Theyyam performance. I know about it because of my parents and Grand parents talking about it.

  • Mohiniyattam.

  • Ottamthullal

  • Chakyar koothu, it is an awesome experience to sit in one, the performer randomly mocks people and asks questions.

  • Kaikottikali, typically performed during onam and thriuvadura. Another Example, examples are from movie. I guess most of people will associate this with Kerala anyways

To be honest, I am not someone who can speak about dance forms. But I hope this will make people little curious.

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8

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '13

What is the best season to visit?

Are people ok with northy bhaiyyas?

What is the reason communists are popular in malluland?

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7

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '13

2 examples of lungi-clad bad-assery:

  1. Flicking the lungi upward with a back-heel using your leg, catch the hem with your fingers and make the knee-length fold.

  2. Being a folded-lungi fast bowler or scoring a goal.

Wonder if the mallus here have experience of this.

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6

u/da_dope Jul 27 '13

Can anyone explain to me what Theyyam is about ?

Has anybody seen it live ?

I was left open mouthed watching a video.

(Yes, I have read whatever I could find on the net)

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u/agentbigman Jul 27 '13

A few things a fellow traveler from Kerala told me while we were in China and would like someone to clarify them for me.

  1. Is there a Union for every profession? He told me there is one for everyone and they call strikes for no apparent reason.

  2. How actually developed is the state? I've read everything there is to it about the development, but what is the civic situation like? How are your roads, amenities, public transport when compared to other cities like Delhi, Mumbai?

  3. We know all of Kerala is literate, how are the schools and colleges?

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u/BreWitty Jul 27 '13

Could somebody explain the dowry situation in Kerala?

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u/sree_1983 Jul 27 '13

Ok, so I can only talk about what happens in my community.

If groom asks for dowry, a police complain will be filed against him and he will be blacklisted as in none from community will give this guy their daughter.

Girls parents typically adorn their daughter with gold, 51 sovereigns in middle class, then depending on your financial abilities it goes higher.

Asking for dowry is frowned up. Yes, there are different parts of Kerala where it might be norm. But I can only speak from my experience.

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7

u/CG10277 Jul 27 '13

  • What is the best vegetarian food?

  • Is it true that at least one person per family works abroad (gulf)?

  • What are the reasons behind this large-scale migration?

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