In ancient times, it was scent spices that lured merchant ships from as far away as Phoenicia, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria and China, all willing to brave the currents of the high seas just to land on Kerala’s shores. They were followed by the Arabs and the Europeans — including the Portuguese, Dutch and British — all of whom marched in after Vasco da Gama established the route from Europe by sailing around Africa’s Cape Of Good Hope. These traders established a cultural melting pot in Kerala that differentiates the region from the rest of India.
Infact, this influx of traders, travellers and missionaries created diverse faiths such as such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism and they coexist harmoniously here. The Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, the Santa Cruz Basilica in Kochi and the mosque in Munnar are considered equally sacred by all sections of the society.