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{{Short description|Buddhism in Kerala, southern India}}
{{Buddhism}}
[[File:Budha_mavelikara_kerala.jpg | thumb | right]]
Although '''Buddhism in Kerala''' has almost disappeared, historians believe it was influential in pre-modern times, and its cultural impact is still visible in [[Kerala]]'s culture.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Menon|first=A. Sreedhara|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_Survey_of_Kerala_History/N7WaZe2PBy8C?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=A%20Survey%20of%20Kerala%20History|title=A Survey of Kerala History|publisher=DC Books|year=2022|location=Kottayam|pages=87-88|orig-year=1967}}</ref>

Direct evidence for a Buddhist presence in ancient Kerala during the Iron Age or early historic period is lacking; however, it is plausible that Buddhist ideas reached parts of Kerala connected by trade routes as early as the 3rd century BCE.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Gurukkal|first=Rajan|url=https://www.orientblackswan.com/details?obsin=1487|title=History of Kerala: Prehistoric to the Present|last2=Varier|first2=Raghava|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2020|location=Hyderabad|pages=58 and 6-7|orig-year=2018}}</ref> Notably, a potsherd inscribed with the [[Brahmi script|Brahmi]] graffiti '[[Śramaṇa|sramana]]', dating to approximately the 2nd century CE, was discovered at the ancient port of Pattanam ([[North Paravur]]) in central Kerala.<ref name=":02" /> The medieval Tamil epic poem [[Manimekalai]], associated with the Malabar Coast, contains detailed references to Buddhist philosophy and practices.<ref name=":1" /> Local traditions and relics further suggest a Buddhist presence, such as the Legend of Pallibana Perumal, who is believed to have converted to Buddhism and is associated with temples in the [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]] and [[Alappuzha]] regions.<ref name=":1" />

Several prominent Hindu temples in present-day Kerala are thought to have originally been Buddhist shrines.<ref name=":1" /> In addition, a considerable number of Buddha images — mostly from the [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] and [[Kollam district|Kollam]] regions — have been discovered across the state.<ref name=":1" /> A well-known Buddhist vihara, called [[Sri Mulavasam|Sri Mulavasa]], is believed to have been located somewhere along the Alappuzha coast.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Veluthat|first=Kesavan|url=https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-early-medieval-in-south-india-9780198069140|title=The Early Medieval in South India|date=2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198069140|series=Oxford India Paperbacks|location=Delhi|pages=180}}</ref> Epigraphic and literary evidence indicates that this temple was patronised by local Kerala rulers, such as the Ay family and the Ezhimala rulers, during the early medieval period.'''<ref name=":S">{{Cite book |last=Narayanan|first=M. G. S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2vp0SW6Gj3IC|title=Cultural Symbiosis in Kerala|publisher=Kerala Historical Society|year=1972|location=Trivandrum|pages=9-16 and 44-45|chapter=Vikramaditya Varaguna and Srimulavasa Vihara}}</ref>''' In Kerala, Buddhism was largely absorbed into Hinduism, with many cultural practices — such as the Kuthirakettu and the Kettukazhcha — believed to be influenced by Buddhist traditions.<ref name=":1" /> Buddhism perhaps played a major role in promoting education and literacy in Kerala, with viharas serving as centres of learning. The widespread popularity of the traditional [[Ayurveda]] in Kerala is often regarded as a legacy of Buddhism.<ref name=":1" /> The celebrated Kerala poet [[Kumaran Asan]] (1871 – 1924) was strongly shaped by Buddhist philosophy, which is evident in his works Karuna, Chandala Bhikshuki, and Sri Buddha Charitham.<ref name=":1" />

==History==
[[Image:Nava Jetavana Temple - Shravasti - 014 King Asoka at the Third Council (9241725897).jpg|thumb|250px|Ashoka and Monk [[Moggaliputta-Tissa]] at the [[Third Buddhist Council]]. Nava Jetavana, [[Shravasti]].]]
The Cheras are referred to as ''Keralaputras'' in the inscriptions of Ashoka. This may have been the sons of Chera or the King of Chera who was considered a saint and described as Buddha.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} In any case, the early kings of Kerala were converts to Buddhism and Jainism.<ref>Mavelikarayude Samaskarika Charithram,, unpublished work, Mavelikkara Muncipility, 2007 P, 76</ref>{{full citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The oldest and most reliable document linking Kerala to Buddhism is the Dharma inscriptions carved by Emperor Ashoka on the Girnar rock in Gujarat. It says:

{{Cquote|In all the lands conquered by the Devapriyan and Priyadarshi kings, two types of treatment were practiced in the neighboring Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras, Keralaputras, Tamraparniyars, the Greek king Antiochian, and in the kingdoms of Antioch, and their kingdoms. For humans and animals.|||<ref name="KeralaHistory">{{cite book |last=എ. |first=ശ്രീധരമേനോൻ |author-link=എ. ശ്രീധരമേനോൻ |title=കേരള ചരിത്രം |year=1997|publisher=എസ്. വിശ്വനാഥൻ പ്രിൻറേർസ് ആൻഡ് പബ്ലീഷേർസ് |location= ചെന്നൈ|isbn= }}</ref>}}
BCE Ashoka's inscriptions show that Buddhism existed in Kerala and other parts of South India as early as the 2nd century.<ref>Raghava variyar 1979: pages 35,37</ref> Theravada Buddhism reached Kerala in the 3rd century.
The discovery of Buddha statues at [[Kozhikode]], [[Mavelikkara]], [[Karumady|Karumadi]], [[Karunagappalli|Karunagapally]], [[Maruthurkulangara]], [[Bharanikkavu]], [[Pallikkal, Adoor|Pallikkal]] and [[Kottappuram, Thrissur|Kottapuram]] is a case in point.

Emperor Ashoka sought to spread the message of Buddhism throughout India even before preaching in countries overseas. This is stated in the Muski inscriptions. The name of Kerala is not mentioned but Kerala will be included in it as it is spread all over India.{{Ambiguous|date=May 2023}} There are records of hospitals being set up, wells being dug and medicinal and chola trees being planted.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} The [[Mahāvaṃsa|Mahavamsa]], a Buddhist chronicle, records that the Buddha himself visited South India and Ceylon more than once.<ref>{{cite book |last=വാരിയർ |first=രാഘവ |author-link=രാഘവ വാരിയർ |author2= രാജൻ ഗുരുക്കൾ|title=കേരള ചരിത്രം |year=1992 |publisher=വള്ളത്തോൾ വിദ്യാപീഠം|location= ശുകപുരം |isbn= }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=May 2023}}
The monks who came to Kerala to spread Buddhism did not come only from Sri Lanka but on the contrary, Buddhists came to Kerala through the disciples of [[Mahasangharakshithan]], a prominent Buddhist teacher sent by Ashoka to propagate his religion in [[Gujarat]] and [[Maharashtra]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Be3PCvzf-BYC&q=chera+and+buddhism&pg=PA109|title=A Social History of India|access-date=|last=S. N.|first=Sadasivan|year=2000|publisher=APH|isbn=9788176481700}}</ref>

Not only the Hinayana people but also the [[Mahayana]] and [[Vajrayana]] theorists grew up in Kerala. AD Meghavarnan, who ruled Sri Lanka from 240 to 253, and Makala, who ruled from 253 to 275, were the ones who gave the opportunity to the Mahayana monks. However, during the reign of King [[Godakadayan]] from 305 to 316, 60 Mahayana Buddhist monks were deported on charges of heresy. All of them came and settled in Kerala. All these 60 sages worked tirelessly for the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in Kerala.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Works of Sangha period refer to the efforts made by monks to spread the Buddhist message. The [[Manimekalai|Manimekhalai]] is a Buddhist work.According to a 1927 thesis of Rao Bahadur Krishnaswāmi Aiyangar, the Manimekalai contains "nothing that may be regarded as referring to any form of Mahayana Buddhism, particularly the Sunyavada as formulated by [[Nagarjuna]]".<ref>Rao Bahadur Krishnaswāmi Aiyangar (1927), [https://archive.org/details/manimekhalaiinit031176mbp/page/n31 Maṇimekhalai in its Historical Setting], p. xxvii, p. 85, 104, 188</ref> In contrast, in 1978, C.N. Kandaswami stated there is a lot of internal evidence that "Manimekalai explains Mahayana Buddhism, and champions its cause".<ref>{{cite book|author=Cō. Na Kantacāmi|title=Buddhism as Expounded in Manimekalai|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=U2cOAAAAYAAJ|year=1978|publisher=Annamalai University|page=394}}</ref> The most famous Buddhist temple in South India was in Vanchi. Arguments are still being made as to whether this Vanchi is in [[Thiruvanchikulam Temple|Thiruvanchikulam]] or in [[Kodungallur]].<ref name="KeralaHistory" /> Legend has it that a Pallibanaperumal from Kerala left the country as a Buddhist monk. Related to this legend are the Kilirur Temple in Kottayam Taluk and the Nilamperur Temple in Alappuzha Taluk. There are monuments of Pallibanaperumal in both the temples.<ref>{{cite book |last=പി.ഒ. |first=പുരുഷോത്തമൻ |author-link=പി.ഒ. പുരുഷോത്തമൻ |title=ബുദ്ധന്റെ കാല്പാടുകൾ-പഠനം |year=2006 |publisher=പ്രൊഫ. വി. ലൈല |location= കേരളം |isbn= 81-240-1640-2 }}</ref>

Many temples such as [[Kiliroor|Kilirur]], [[Kuttemperoor|Kuttamperur]], [[Kodungallur]] and [[Arthunkal]] are believed to have been Buddhist temples at one time. A meditation statue of Buddha has been found at the [[Paruvassery]] Durga Temple in [[Thrissur]]. Similarly, many Buddhist statues found in [[Kunnathoor Padi|Kunnathoor]], [[Karunagappalli|Karunagappilly]] taluks, [[Mavelikkara]] and [[Ambalappuzha|Ambalapuzha]] taluks show the spread of Buddhism in Kerala.

The decline of Buddhism began in the early 8th century. It can be seen from the descriptions of the Chinese travelers that it began to weaken by the seventh century.<ref>Alexander 1949: page:173</ref> However, the poems in Tirunizhal mala show which was written in the 12th century, show that Kerala was still not delineated under the chathurvarnya system. With the introduction of Brahmanism, the kings turned against Buddhism. As a result, the influence of Buddhism gradually waned. During the reign of Vaishnava Kulasekara, Buddhism almost completely disappeared in the 11th century.

Sree Moolavasam ([[Thrikkunnapuzha|near Thrikkunnapuzha]]) was a famous Buddhist center in Kerala.<ref name=mathrubhoomi>{{cite news|title=വാഗ്‌ഭടനെത്തേടി ശ്രീലങ്കയിൽ|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newsFrm.php?news_id=1240439&n_type=NE&category_id=11&Farc=|first=സി.കെ.|last=രാമചന്ദ്രൻ|publisher=മാതൃഭൂമി വാരാന്തപ്പതിപ്പ്|date=2008-07-27|access-date=2008-07-28|archive-date=2008-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729170315/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newsFrm.php?news_id=1240439&n_type=NE&category_id=11&Farc=|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is said that the Ay king Vikramaditya Varaguna protected the famous [[Sreemoolavasam]] Buddhist pilgrimage center. He donated a large piece of land to the temple. The Mangalacharana in the Sasana, which glorifies the Buddha and Dharma, is remarkable. However, by the 10th century, the center had lost its name.

==Buddha Statues in Kerala==
[[File:Buddha statue in Kerala.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Karumadikkuttan]] from Alappuzha]]
Buddhist statues are believed to have been destroyed or Hinduized under later Hindu rulers. But rare Buddha statues have been found intact. They are mainly found at [[Mavelikkara]], [[Maruthur]], [[Kulangara]], [[Karumady|Karumadi]], [[Bharanikkavu]], [[Kunnathoor Padi|Kunnathoor]] and [[Pallikkal, Adoor|Pallikkal]] in [[Kollam]] district.
<ref>{{cite book |last=രാമനാഥ ഐയ്യർ |first=എ.എസ്. |title=Travancore archeological series, Volume V Part I, II & III|year=1908 |publisher= കേരള സാംസ്കാരിക പ്രസിദ്ധീകരണ വകുപ്പ്|location=തിരിവനന്തപുരം |isbn= }}</ref> The statue in the Pallikkal Temple was headless. Today it is preserved in a museum in [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. The head is made of a similar stone and assembled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ajaysekher.net/2010/01/03/buddhism-kerala/|title=Buddhism in Kerala|access-date=|last=Sekher|first=Dr Ajay S|date=January 3, 2010|website=|publisher=}}</ref> The statue of Mavelikkara was found in a field near the Kandiyur Shiva Temple. According to the historian [[S. N. Sadasivan]],<ref>''A Social History of India'', A.P.H. Publishing: New Delhi (2000)</ref> Until A.D. 450, it was the main deity in the Kandiyur Shiva Temple. All the statues are carved in stone. They are all in the form of yogasana, is 2–3 feet long from the feet to the turban. Most of the statues are said to be seated in a lotus position in meditation. Anthropology records that the statue at Maruthur Kulangara is the oldest of its kind.<ref>{{cite book |last=ഗോപിനാഥ റാവു |first= ടി.എ.|author-link=ടി.എ. ഗോപിനാഥ റാവു |title= Travancore archeological series, Volume I|year=1908 |publisher= കേരള സാംസ്കാരിക പ്രസിദ്ധീകരണ വകുപ്പ്|location=തിരിവനന്തപുരം |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/2538492|title=The Broken Buddha of Pattanam, Boddhisatvas in Disguise and the Silent Siddha of Kayikara: Iconology, Histories and Textuality of Buddha Idols in Kerala|first=Ajay|last=Sekher|via=www.academia.edu}}</ref> It was built in the 7th century. It was found in a pond near the temple. The black meditative statue found near [[Thottappally|Thottappilly]] in [[Ambalappuzha|Ambalapuzha]] is called [[Karumadikuttan]]. The Buddha statue found near the guest house at Mavelikkara is placed on the public road near the Sri Krishnaswamy Temple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forwardpress.in/2016/01/violent-brahmanization-of-mahabalis-own-country/|title=Humanist spirit of Mahabali/Maveli|access-date=|last=അജയ്|first=ശേഖർ|date=11 January 2016|website=|publisher=}}</ref> The Buddha statue received from Bharanikawa dates back to AD. 9 century.<ref>K. R. C. Menon, Buddhamatham Keralithil, Aasriya Mathirnadu: 2011April, p5</ref> P. C. Alexander and S. N.Sathasivan are the two historians who have written extensively about Buddhism in Kerala. According to them, these Buddha statues were made in the Anuradhapura style.
<ref>P. C. Alexander, ''Buddhism in Kerala'', Annamalai University, 1984;</ref><ref>S.N. Sadasivan, ''A Social History of India'', APH, 2007).</ref>

==Cultural significance==
The influence of Buddhism in Kerala culture is significant. [[Ezhuthu Kalari|Ezhuthu Palli]] and [[Pallikoodam]] schools were historically under the influence of Buddhism.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Keralathinte Samskarika Charithram
| last = Gopalakrishnan
| first = P.K.
| publisher = Kerala Basha Institute
| year = 1991
| isbn =
| location = Tvm.
| pages = 256
}}</ref> Until the end of the 18th century, the word 'Namostu Jinatam' (Namotu Chinatam) was used in the beginning of education training in Kerala in praise of the Buddha. Meaning a prayer to Jinan or Buddha. At that time, the entire text of Kerala was called Nanam Manam. It is an abbreviation of the Pali verse Naanam, Monam, Ettanam, Thuvanam, Jeenam, Ennanam, Thanam and Ummanam. These are the eight noble ways: the right perspective, the right goal, the right speech, the right action, the right way of life, the right focus, the right concentration, and the right effort.<ref>Panikassery, Velayudhan. ''Kerala Charitratinte Ullarakalileku''. Thrissur, Current, 2012.</ref>

===Ayurveda===
[[File:Choavlloor Temple.jpg|thumb|right|250px| Chovallur Temple architecture]]
One of the cornerstones of the Buddhist movement was their push of medicinal practices within the region. They reached out to many parts of the society through hospitals, Buddhist monasteries and chaityas.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Ashoka himself established medicinal plants in many places.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} The famous Buddhist monk and physician Bedanta Nagarjuna came to Thiruvizha in [[Cherthala]] after studying at the center for 18 years and there he is reported to have taught medicine and cared for the sick.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} The most valuable contribution of Bhadanta Nagarjuna is in the field of [[Ayurveda]], through his work Rasa Vaiseshika Sutra.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/RasavaisheshikSutraWithNarasimhaBhashya/mode/2up | title=Rasavaisheshik Sutra with Narasimha Bhashya | date=1976 }}</ref>

In the research paper published in the journal Global Histories, entitled 'Plants, Power and Knowledge: An Exploration of the Imperial Networks and the Circuits of Botanical Knowledge and Medical Systems on the Western Coast of India Against the Backdrop of European Expansionism', Malavika Binny states that Kerala had medical traditions that existed even prior to it being known as Ayurvedic tradition. As per the author, Tradition of Healing Practices or 'Vaidyam', as it is called, was prominent among other medical traditions that existed in Kerala which involved a considerable contribution from Buddhism which was a major force from the sixth century to about the eleventh century. The Buddhist contribution of medicinal remedies for diseases and the knowledge of the indigenous plants preserved by the natives was exploited by the European endeavour as suggested by the inclusion of Itty Achudan in the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus which is basically an ethno-botanical treatise on the flora of Malabar.<ref>[http://www.globalhistories.com/index.php/GHSJ/article/view/33/paper/Plants, Power and Knowledge:/]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Plants, Power and Knowledge: An Exploration of the Imperial Networks and the Circuits of Botanical Knowledge and Medical Systems on the Western Coast of India Against the Backdrop of European Expansionism (2015) - Malavika Binny, Global Histories, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Dec. 2015), pp. 3–20 at Retrieved on 9 June 2021.</ref>

===Architecture===
Cave temples of Kerala, that once upon a time were used by Jain and Buddhist monks to meditate, such as the [[Trikkur Mahadeva Temple]], demonstrate the presence of rock-cut architecture. With the decline of Buddhism in the region, they got adopted as Hindu temples.
While some Buddhist Stupas were also present in Kerala during the ancient period, the traditional architecture of Kerala, particularly in the context of Hindu temples, does not show significant influences of Buddhist design.

===Rituals of temples===
[[File:Kettukazhcha at Chettikulangara Devi temple.jpg|thumb|right|250px| Kettukazhcha in [[Chettikulangara Devi Temple|Chettikulangara Temple]]]]

Temple rituals such as Vedikettu, Katina, Parayeduppu, Padayani, Pooram, Kettukazhcha and Rathotsavam are Buddhist offerings. Along with the Buddhist monasteries, they ran schools and health care centers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanku Iyer |first=S. |title=Keralavum Buddhamathavum |publisher=N.B.S. |year= |isbn= |location=Kottayam |pages=218}}</ref>

=== [[Shramanic|Shramanic influences]] in [[Srauta|Hindu traditions and practices]]===
* [[Theyyam]], a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala (predominantly in the [[Kolathunadu]] area) as well as in Southern Karnataka (such as [[Coorg]] or [[South Canara]]). The word is probably a variant of ''Dheivam'' or ''Theivam'' that means God in Malayalam and Tamil.<ref name="diplomat_2015_theyyam">{{cite web|last1=Diplomat|first1=Sugato Mukherjee, The|title=The Oracles of Malabar|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/08/the-oracles-of-malabar/|website=The Diplomat|access-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220105222/https://thediplomat.com/2015/08/the-oracles-of-malabar/|archive-date=20 December 2017|date=14 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[Pallipana]], a ritual performed by ''velans'' (sorcerers) every 12 years during the Arattu festival at [[Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple]]{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
[[File:Padayanimain.jpg|thumb|250px|right| [[Neelamperoor Padayani]] ]]
* [[Pooram Padayani]], a festival at [[Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathi Temple]] in praise of [[Goddess Vanadurga]], which is considered similar to the Buddhist festival seen by [[Fahian]] at Patna, Bihar.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} The main feature is the display of exquisitely decorated effigies named ''Kettukazhcha''. Padayani is a symbolic victory march of Goddess Kali after vanquishing [[Darika]].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* ''Kettukazhcha'' at [[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]], where the main deity is Goddess [[Bhadrakali]].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* [[Kodungallur Bharani festival]] in honour of the deity Kodungallur Bhagavathy (Bhadrakali) who is considered the legendary [[Tamil mythology#Kannagi|Kannagi]] of Tamil mythology and who is also revered as Goddess [[Pattini]] by Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhists.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* Valiyakulangara Kettukazhcha at [[Valiyakulangara Devi Temple]]{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* Thalappoli festival at [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple]]{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==Famous Buddhists from Kerala==

===Amarasimhan===
Author of Amarakosa. He lived in [[Thakazhi Grama Panchayat|Thakazhi]] near Mavelikkara. Amarakosham was written by him after living in Thakazhi for 20 years. He then went to Sri Lanka, where he received the title of Simhan and later to Vikramaditya's country. Amarasinghe was one of the 'Navaratnas' who lived during the reign of King Vikramaditya.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.languageinindia.com/june2016/prasanthmalayalamwords.pdf|title=Lost Word is Lost World - A Study of Malayalam |last=Prasanth |first=R. I. |date=6 June 2016 |volume=16 |issue=6 |journal=Language in India|access-date=2001-03-03 |issn=1930-2940}}</ref>

===Chithala Chathanar===
{{Main|Chithalai Chathanar}}
'''Chathanar''' or '''Chithala Chathanar''', ''cītala cāttanār'') was the [[Tamil people|Tamil]] poet who composed the epic [[Manimekalai]]. A total of 11 verses of the [[Sangam literature]] have been attributed to Satthanar, including verse 10 of the [[Tiruvalluva Maalai]]. The famous kings of the Sangam period were Buddhists.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Chilapathikaram, a famous group work, is one that reveals the Buddhist influence of the time. Chithalai Chathanar was the Buddhist monk who wrote Manimekhala, the successor to Silapathikaram. The theme of Manimekhala is about converting from Jainism to Buddhism. He was a contemporary of [[Cheran Senguttuvan]] and was believed to have practiced [[Buddhism]]. He has sung in praise of the [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandyan king]] Chittira Maadatthu Thunjiya Nanmaran in the Sangam work of [[Purananuru]].

===Aryadevan===
Aryadevan was a Buddhist scholar who lived in the 5th-6th centuries. He was a follower of Nagarjuna and wrote Chathusika. He lived at Sembapuram (present day Srangapuram) in Kodungallur. Huang Sang, a Chinese traveler, describes Aryan.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===Pallivana perumal===
Palli Vanapperumal or Pallibana Perumal was a famous king of the Cheravamsa dynasty based in Mahodayapuram (present day Kodungallur). Researchers have established that he lived in the 15th-16th centuries. He was the last propagandist of Buddhism in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ajay|first=Author|date=2013-03-11|title=Pally Vana Perumal and Pally Temples in Kerala|url=https://ajaysekher.net/2013/03/11/pallybana-perumal-pallyil-temple-perinjanam/|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Ajaysekher.net|language=en-GB}}</ref>{{verify source|date=May 2023}} His first temple was the Palli Bhagavathi Temple near Kodungallur. However, he left Kodungallur for Kuttanad and built many Buddhist temples and chaityas there.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} According to historical records, Palli Banapperumal was a favorite of the locals. His influence can be seen in Neelamperur and Kilirur Padayanis.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dinamani |first1=Pindiyath |title=What is PADAYANI?? |url=http://www.neelamperoorpadayani.org/2010/06/what-is-padayani.html |website=നീലംപേരൂര്‍ പടയണി |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908154411/http://www.neelamperoorpadayani.org/2010/06/what-is-padayani.html |archive-date=8 September 2011 |date=22 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{verify source|date=May 2023}}

===Balachandran Chullikkadu===
[[Balachandran Chullikkadu]] (born 1957) is a Malayali poet, orator and actor, who embraced Buddhism in 2000, becoming an ardent critic of Hinduism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/news/2000/jan/24hindu.htm|title = Rediff on the NeT: Malayalam poet embraces Buddhism}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Lists of Buddhist sites and traditions in Kerala]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Buddhism topics}}

[[Category:Buddhism in Kerala]]
[[Category:Religion in Kerala]]

Buddhism in Kerala - Revision history

BenWunderly at 13:36, 27 April 2026