Why are snakes Worshipped in Kerala?
Serpents are also considered to be fertility deities in Kerala; childless couples often perform the uruli kamazathu ritual for serpent deities to be blessed with a child. They are considered to be gods of earth, so farmers pray to them for good harvest and rain, conduct pujas and give offerings.
What is KAVU in Kerala?
Kāvû is the traditional name given for sacred groves across the Malabar Coast in Kerala, South India. Kavus are notable for Theyyam, the centuries-old ritual dance.
How many KAVU are there in Kerala?
Shashikumar, noted bird watcher and environmentalist, in his studies has mentioned that there are 576 known kavus in northern Kerala.
What does KAVU mean?
clear above visibility unlimited
KAVU is also an aviation acronym for “clear above visibility unlimited,” when there isn’t a cloud in the sky and you can see to the horizon.
Is Kerala full of Snakes?
Kerala is home to over 100 species of snakes that belong to 12 families. Of these, the most common venomous ones are known as the big four: spectacled cobra, Indian krait, Russell’s viper and saw-scaled viper.
Which is the biggest KAVU in Kerala?
| Iringole Kavu | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ernakulam district |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Website |
Is King Cobra found in Kerala?
All the major venomous species of snakes found in India are also found in Kerala. Kerala is recognized as having a major problem with snakebite. The five common poisonous snakes found in Kerala are Indian Cobra, King Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Saw-scaled viper and Krait.
What is the meaning of Sarpa Kavu?
Sarpa Kavu (meaning Abode of the Snake God) is a small traditional forest seen in Kerala state of South India. This untouched small forest usually have idols of Naga Devatas and Naga Devas ( snake gods) and people would worship them.
Is Sarpakavu a non-Hindu religion?
Sarpakavu, snake worship, Yakshis, Gandharvas and other peculiar Kerala beliefs and rituals are visibly non-hindu. Ancient Keralites were nature and snake worshippers. The Kavu culture (visibly different from Hindu Temple) of Kerala where mother goddess, ancestors and snakes are worshipped came out of the lifestyle of ancient Keralites.
Why are there so many sarpaka-Kavus in Kerala?
Parasurama requested Lord Shiva to provide a solution, who advised that the Brahmins should start worshipping Ananthan, the King of Snakes, and the bed on which Baghvan VIshnu reclines. Thus Kerala had a lot of Sarpaka-Kavus built for worshipping Ananthan which also doubled as home for the snakes.
What is the Sarpa Kalam in pandal?
A square ”pandal” (canopy) is built as a temporary shrine and the ‘Sarpa Kalam’ is drawn on the floor inside the pandal. There are nine deities of nagas (snakes), Naga Raja, Naga Yakshi, Sarpa Yakshi, Mani Nagam, Eri Nagam, Kari Nagam, Kuzhi Nagam, Para Nagam and Kanya Nagam.