The funniest story I've learned from the history is that, Hippalus, an Egyption sailor, discovered (in B.C.43 or 46 AD) that the wind in the Indian Ocean blows in opposite directions during the Monsoons and in other times. And that, this knowledge about the direction of the wind could be used for the ships to reach Kodungalloor, Kerala from Aden, near the Red Sea, via the Laksha Dweeps, within 30 to 40 days.

My thoughts about this story? If Keralites had trade relations with the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Arabs, Greeks, etc. etc., much before 43 BC, I think that the Keralites knew this secret long before Hippalus knew. But, Keralites were not good in documenting any thing! What ever we know now about the History of Kerala, we know from the writings of foreigners, such as Plini, Ibnu Bathutha, Marco Polo, etc. In the Old Testament of the Bible we read about the spices and fragrances,like chandan (sandlewood), which were used for the ceremonies of the dedication of the Jerusalem Temple and the spices which were with the gifts Queen Sheba brought for King Solomon. They were from Kerala.

In the 1st century AD, Keralites practiced a kind of Dravidian culture. Many had accepted Jainism and Buddhism. People as a whole, were humble, hard working, peace loving and respected each other and other religions. In public activities and functions men and women took part equally.

By the 6th and 7th century AD, there was an influx of more Aryans into Kerala. This influx and hard works of devoted Hindus such as Sree Shankara Acharya (Aadi Shankaran) of Kaladi and many other writers, Hinduism attained popularity and became a more dominant religion in Kerala. And with it, came the caste system and other practices into the Kerala society.

Christianity is a religion originated in the east (Israel - a Middle Eastern Country). So the disciples started their missions in the Middle eastern and Eastern countries. Even though among the disciples of Jesus, Paul was the most popular missionary, almost all of them and their followers spread the Gospel where ever they went, and started churches. Thus Many Churches were built in Armenia, Edessa, China, India, etc. in the beginning of 1st century AD itself, just as the one in Rome.

Only after the Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian in 313 AD, Christianity became popular in the Western countries. The city of Constantinople was built in his honor.

Rome and the Pope had great influence and power over the kings and other rulers of the Western countries. They used that power well, to bring other Christians of different denominations, from various parts of the world, under the Papal domination and to spread Catholicism and Latin services; as the Portugal, Spain and other Western countries acquired power over other countries by starting trade relations.

As we all know, there are no written documents about the history of Keralite Christians. Some of the important things we know are, that Kerala had many Jewish settlers and the disciples were asked to go and preach Christianity among the Jews first; and that St. Thomas could easily arrive in Kerala via sea in those times.

But just like the Hebrews and other ancient cultures, the information’s were passed on from generations to generations. In this modern age, many question the validity of the legends and stories about the visits of St. Thomas to Kerala. Since nobody has proven them wrong and it is believed strongly by the community, I do believe the essence of the legends as authentic history. In every record found so far about the Christians of Kerala, they are referred to as St. Thomas Christians, in honor of the popular belief that St. Thomas founded the Christian church in Kerala.

Gondaphorus was a king ruled in Kerala towards the end of 1st century B.C.and the beginning of the 1st century AD He had won many of his battles and reached upto Kashmir. According to the legend, he sent one of his courtiers to Egypt in search of a good carpenter to build a new palace for him. At the same time in Egypt, Jesus asked his disciple Thomas, to go to India and spread the 'good news'. Doubting Thomas did not want to go, and was getting ready to go to Parthia/Edessa. But Jesus encouraged him to go with the man of Gondahorus. So, Thomas went to India via the sea, in 52 AD and landed in the port of Mussiris (Kodungalloor). He took the money from the King to build the palace. Instead of building it, he spent the money on, whom he thought were, needy and poor. Some spies of the king went and told the king that Thomas was cheating the king and misusing the money he'd received. So the king put him in Jail. While Thomas was in Jail, The king's only brother, whom he loved very much, died. The prince's soul was taken to the heavens, where he saw a very beautiful palace and wanted to have that palace. The angels told him that the palace belonged to his brother, the king, and that he could get it only if his brother gave it to him. So the prince took permission and came back to life.

It was like a miracle and the king was happy that his brother became alive. When the king heard about the "palace in the heaven", he repented for putting Thomas in jail. He and his whole family and some followers got converted and became Christians. This story is known as the story of 'Swargathilae Mandiram' (The Palace in the Heaven).

Another story goes as follows: When Thomas was walking around in the villages of Kerala, he saw a group of Brahmins doing 'Surya Namaskaar". (worshipping of Surya, surya=sun). As sun is a force in the nature, it represents the power of God. And the Hindus do Surya namaskaar in the morning looking at the rising sun, after they take dip-bath in the waters (ponds, rivers, sea, etc.) While doing the pooja (Ceremony) they throw water in to the air upwards. When the rays of the sun go through the water, all the beautiful colors (as the colors of the rainbow)could be seen. Any way, When Thomas saw this, he asked the poojaries (worshipers) if their God could keep the water in the air, instead of letting them fall down. They prayed and repeated, but the water fell upon the earth. So Thomas told them that his God was the living God and was powerful to keep the water in the air if he prayed. He asked them if they would believe and follow his God if it happened. Then he knelt down, beseeched the Lord and then threw water into the air. The water stayed in the air like beautiful flowers. Seeing this miracle, many of those worshippers converted and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Others ran away frightened of Thomas and his actions. After wards many others got converted and became Christians. Thus the original Christians of Kerala included Aryans, Jews and Dravidians; and were known as St. Thomas Christians of Kerala. We are the descendants of those courageous and devoted Christians.

Though the Christian Church of Kerala was founded by the disciple of Jesus, who became famous as "Doubting Thomas", the St. Thomas Christians believed in the words of Jesus, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed". (John 20:29) - yes, they have blind faith in Him.

"Nazra" means 'no good comes out'. Nazraeth got its name, with that meaning. Since Jesus was from Nazareth in Palestine, he is also known as "Nazraeyan". Jesus was a Nazra (durgunan) for his community, the Hebrews, though he became the corner stone for the Christian world. Since the Christians of Kerala are the followers of Nazraeyan, they are also known as "Nazraanies". The word Nazraany was used as a 'jaathi-naamam' (caste-name) by the people.

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