Kerala also known as Gods Own
Country, is located on the southernmost tip of India on the Malabar
Coast and embraces the coast of
Arabian Sea on the west and is bounded by the Western Ghats in the east
The state of Kerala with
its wide array of topographical features such as coastlines along the Arabian
Sea, hills of the Western Ghats, valleys, and abundant water-bodies has
tropical climate. The natural vegetation of Kerala comprises 3,872 flowering plants
including 900 plants of great medicinal value. The forested regions with an
area of 9,400 km² comprises tropical wet evergreen partly-evergreen forests
with thick undergrowth in the lower and mid altitudes, tropical damp and arid
deciduous forests in the middle altitudes plus mountainous subtropical and
temperate (shola) forests in the precipitous hills.
On a rough estimate Kerala
has about 644 sacred groves which are distinct and unique in biological
diversity. Most of the sacred groves represent the relics of once gregarious
and abundant low lying evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. Only few are
reported from the foothills and the high ranges. The size of the sacred grove
in Kerala varies as small as one cent to 20 or more hectares.
Sacred groves (Kavus) are
patches of forests or natural vegetation that are usually dedicated to local
folk deities and protected by local communities or Families because
of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several
generations. Kavus of north kerala are mainly “Theyya kavu” belonging to
the mother-goddess in many cases. These kavus are very much associated with
theyyam Festivals.
In the
olden days, almost Kerala ‘Tharavad’ (homesteads) had sacred groves dedicated
to the serpent Gods and goddesses. The fear of the unknown and religious
beliefs ensured the flourishing of these green spots.
The origin of the ‘Kavu’ could be traced back to
pre-historic times. Kerala had been geographically isolated in the distant
past, due to the barrier created by the Western Ghats, covered with
impenetrable tropical rain forests. The inhabitant believed to have been of
Dravidian origin. They worshipped mother –goddess (‘Bhagawathi’) ,Serpent
god (‘Nagam’), Hunter –gods (‘Sasthappan’).
Brahmins controlled temple, but in most of the
‘Kavus’ rituals were performed by different communities of the
village. Usually no one entered the ‘Kavu’ during days other than those of
worship or during the festival. Cutting trees, collecting firewood, leaves etc.
were strictly forbidden. People believe that any kind of disturbance
will invoke wrath of the gods, resulting diseases, natural
calamities, failure of crops and even death.
There are many myths, legends and faith associated with the
sacred groves of Kerala. The deities in the sacred groves are at times
represented by some trees like Alstonia scholaris, Adenanthera pavonina,
Hydnocarpus pentandra, Commiphora caudatum, Caryota urens, Holarrhena
antidysenterica, Strychnos nux-vomica, Ficus tinctorius, Mimusops elengi, etc.
A stone slab installed at the base of the tree is the altar on
which the offerings including the animal sacrifices are made. These trees are
also considered to be the abode of ancestral or natural spirits and demons. The
sacred groves owned collectively by the villagers are mostly dedicated to Lord
Ayyappa and called as “Ayyappankavu‟ or “Sasthamkavu‟ and to Goddess Bhagavathi called “Bhagavathikkavu‟ or “Ammankavu‟. One interesting feature about “Ayyappan Kavu” is the freedom
to enter this sacred grove to offer worship irrespective of the caste or creed.
Sacred groves owned by the tribal communities are dedicated to
“Vanadevatha‟, the Goddess of the forest, or to natural spirits or demons or ancestral spirits. The fishermen caste -“Dheevara‟ or “Araya‟ also maintain sacred
groves in the coastal areas of Kerala. These groves are called “Cheerma‟ or “Cheerumba‟ and
the patron deity is “Cheerma‟. “Cheerma‟ is the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemic diseases.
The sacred groves owned by
families are mostly dedicated to Snake God (Naga) or Goddess or both, hence,
known as “Nagakkavu” or “Sarpakkavu”. Sacred groves of the tribal inhabiting
near and around the forest areas are known as „Madankavu‟ or „Yakshikkavu‟. The sacred groves of North Kerala are mostly associated with Goddess
whereas the sacred groves of South Kerala are associated mostly with snake
worship. Many sacred groves associated with Siva temples also have serpent
Gods.
The major threats to the
existence of sacred grove in kerala are the disappearance of old joint family
system and partition of family properties along with changing socio-economic
scenario. In most of the cases the kavu and surrounding areas will be handed
over to a generation who has no faith or less faith in keeping the integrity of
the Kavu.
The second major threat is
the anthropogenic activities and cattle grazing. As the demand for land is
always high in Kerala, the shrinkage of groves is inevitable. Encroachment has
resulted in the shrinkage of some of the largest Kavu in Ernakulam
and Kannur Districts.
http://www.cpreecenvis.nic.in/Database/Kerala_886.aspx
