Sarpa Kavu

Sarpa Kavu (meaning "Abode of the Snake God"), small traditional forest(mostly man made) of green pockets, would have idols of snake gods and worshipped. This was part of "Nagaradhana" (snake worship) which was prevalent among keralites during past centuries. It had been practised by Ezhavas, Nairs, Arayas and many other tribal, non-tribal and costal communities all over Malabar Cost.

Origin

In Kerala in almost every nook of big houses of rich families and temples, there was a thick piece of jungle called "Kavu" or "Sarpa kavu" (grove or serpent grove) which during the Buddhist period was the adjunct of a Vihara where the bhikshus used to sit in meditation or for their relaxation. The serpents peacefully co-existed with the monks and often attended as a type of watchmen for their meagre holdings. As Brahminism became prevalent, these Kavus were transmuted into abodes snake gods along with the worship of the fierce deity Kali where blood sacrifices and drunken bouts were every day affairs. Some of the groves became centres of nightmarish fear for the simple folk or people in general that if they interfered with them, they would become victims of incurable diseases and their family would be destroyed by the curse of the serpents and the wrath of Kali. Sree Narayana Guru urged the people to bring these groves under proper use and encouraged clearing the groves, sometimes under his personal presence to reassure village folk that no harm would befall upon them as a consequence of their action.

References

* Sree Narayana Guru By Moorkoth Kumaran
* Historical Studies in Kerala: Indian History Congress by K.N.Kurup and M.G.S.Narayanan, 1976

See also

* Snake worship
* Naga (mythology)
* Serpent (symbolism)