AGNI REVIVAL MINISTRIES

Vision :

 

ARM has the plan to work with the people of another 100 villages. These villages are selected form all the 8 taluk of Kanchipuram district. These are new villages to only the operational area but not to the target area. The people of the 100 villages also had the chance to know about ARM if not all; at least few people from each village have approached ARM for the development of their villages. Expanding the target villages, people and area is a natural process of development and growth of organization which works for the development and empowerment of the people.

 

 

THE REASON TO START THE NEW FELLOWSHIP CHENNAI AND KACHIPURAM

 

Kancheepuram district is situated on the northern East Coast of Tamil Nadu and is adjacent by Bay of Bengal and Chennai city and is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai district, in the north by Thiruvallur district and Chennai district, in the south by Villuppuram district in the east by Bay of Bangal. It lies between 11° 00' to 12° 00’ North latitudes and 77° 28' to 78° 50' East longitudes. The district has a total geographical area of 4,43,210 hectares and coastline of 57 Kms. Kancheepuram, the temple town is the district headquarters. For administrative reasons, the district has been divided into 3 revenue divisions comprising of 8 taluks with 1214 revenue villages. For development reasons, it is divided into 13 development blocks with 648 Village Panchayats.

 

There are a huge number of temples in the district , so it is popularly known as the temple town. Some of the popular temples of Kanchipuram are:

 

 

 

POPULATION DETAILS

 

According to 2001 census, the District had population of 30.38 lakh, which is about 6.76% of the total State population. In 1991 census the total population of the District was 24,15,010 Lakhs, in which 12,30,650 were Male & 11,84,360 were Female. In rural 14,29,610 & in Urban it was 9,85,400

 

Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes Population

 

Category	Rural	Urban	Total
Scheduled Caste	563.37	295.71	859.08
Scheduled Tribe	20.70	10.68	31.38

 

KERALA

 

Kerala has a total population of about 32 million people, of which about 23 million is the count of rural population. What is astonishing is that despite more than 70 % of the population living in villages, Kerala is the first state in India to have achieved a 100% literacy level. This fact speaks laurels about the progressive thinking of the people of Kerala. This is also seen in the female/male ratio of the state. The people of Kerala are relatively untouched by evils such as Female Infanticide, Sex Selective Abortions and Fatal Daughter Syndrome. The society, unlike the rest of India is matriarchal, not patriarchal. Women enjoy many rights often denied to the fairer sex elsewhere in India. Women in traditional Kerala enjoyed a right to property, residence, education and most importantly the right to choose their husband.

 

The original natives of the land were Dravdians. However Aryan invasions from the North brought about an admixture of the races.

 

 

MORE ON THE ETHNICITY OF THE PEOPLE OF KERALA

 

In the medieval period i.e. after the 12th century, there was a sharp rise in the caste distinction. The Brahmins or Namboodiris were an elite class and enjoyed many privileges over the others. The hierarchy was such that after the Namboodiris came the Kshatriyas, the Samanthans, the Ambalavasis and the Nairs. These were the Royals and the feudal families. Then came the out castes such as the Kamallans, The Ezhavas, the Pulayans the Kadar etc. Due to severe caste oppression a huge number converted to Christianity and Islam. The striking feature of current day Kerala is the communal harmony and sense of brotherhood of the state. Communal violence is almost unknown and unheard of. In all even though the caste system still exists in most of Kerala, the distinction is getting fainter and fainter. The people have evolved to be a peace loving, growth oriented race.

 

 

Kerala-Religion

 

Kerala is known for its communal harmony and religious tolerance. Violence and outbreaks in the name of religion are almost unheard of. This peaceful coexistence may be attributed to the history of the state. About 60% of the states population is Hindu, 20% Christian and the remaining 20% Muslim. There are also about a 100 people or so belonging to the community called Jewish Diaspora; there is a synagogue in Jew Town which is their place of worship.

The original Negritto tribes of the state and the Dravidians were not known to practice any form of organized religion. Dravidian religion is generally characterized by spirit worship, tree worship and animal worship. Serpent worship was an important aspect of their religious belief which is continued till date. The various tribes such as Kadars, Ullatans, Paniyans and Malayans did subscribe to an unstructured Paganism and Nature Worship. The Kadars etc. worshipped Gods and Goddesses to placate them and cure of prevent all ailments and calamities. Therein lay the origins of veneration towards deities like Mari Amman (to cure chicken/small pox), Karrupan Swami (protector of a traveler), Kali Amman (to guard against black magic) etc. Worship of the natural elements such as Sun, Moon, Forest Guardians, Hill Gods (Maladaivangal) was also practiced. Elaborate rituals were unknown but generally the festive season was marked by a lot of singing, dancing and worship. The Parayas practiced black magic. They worshiped a deity called ‘Purakkutty’ who bestowed them with supernatural powers.

With the influx of the Aryans, religion was given an organized form. Hinduism and its elaborate rituals were carefully propagated by the Aryans who called themselves the Namboodiri Brahmins now. Vedic rites were followed under the strict supervision of these Brahmins. Gods like Vishnu, Shiva and their many incarnations such as Krishna etc. were included in mainstream worship. However, this practice of Hinduism could not exclude the earlier deities worshipped. So myths and legends were propagated to include them. Ayyapan who was worshiped originally by the natives was popularized as the son of Lord.

Shiva and Vishnu’s feminine form (Mohini). Goddess Kali was said to be the dark aspect of Shakti or Parvati as worshiped by Hinduism. Goddess Bhagavathy is the favorite deity of most Malayali Hindus. This reflects the firm ideology of matriarchal society in Kerala. Study of the Vedas, the Upanishads and acceptance of the Hindu metaphysical ideologies was common. A lot many festival rituals started to be followed and these were neither strictly Aryan nor Dravidian in their origin.

 

 

Kerala-Rituals

 

By the 8th century A.D., the caste system as propagated by the Aryan Brahmins had successfully taken root. Slowly caste oppression weaned the lower castes away from Hinduism. It is believed that there was active trade between Kerala and the Middle East as far back as the 7th century. The Arab and Jew traders brought with them their religion. Islam started to prosper as an alternative religion. Further conversions were forcefully made by Tipu Sultan’s army. In about A.D. 52, St. Thomas landed in Kerala and preached Christianity. Many conversions have been made since then. These Christians of Kerala, referred to as Syriac Christians are concentrated in the region called Travancore in Kerala. St. Thomas is said to have established 7 churches through the land of which only 4 exist now. The Portuguese introduced Latin rites into the existing Christian society. Later the word of the religion was preached by the Roman Catholic Church and the British Missionaries.

Jain and Buddhist families also reside in the state. The famous Jain Temple at Palakkad testifies to the sentiments of this religious group. Buddhism was brought into the state during the reign of Emperor Asoka and is still a part of the religious diversity displayed by the state.

We see a great difficulty in preaching the Gospel in these areas where multiple temples and idols are located. So Local preachers are to be empowered with courage and encouragement and support to bring those people who are dedicated to the mute idols and false religions out. We want to move forward to achieve this goal in accordance with the vision that God has shown to us.

 

“.......Go and make disciples of all nations......” (Matt. 28: 19”

 

 

1. We welcome a rich diversity of cultures, providing opportunity for growth and learning.
2. We strive for excellence and integrity in every aspect of our lives.
3. We respect and accept each other and those who we are called to serve.
4. We are a family, bound together by relationships of mutual accountability, Where there is breakdown of relationships, we pray and work for reconciliation.
5. Our call is to enable others to experience the Kingdom of God and live as Jesus’ disciples.

 

Contribute your part for sake of the kingdom of God in South India.