Thirunavaya, Malappuram
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Muslims farm lotuses for Kerala temples
Flowers for Kerala deities bloom in Muslim farms
Tp Nijeesh The Times of India Jun 07 2015
The lotus blooms used in all major temples across Kerala including Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Sabarimala, Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple, Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Thriprayar Sri Rama Temple and Parshinikkaadavu Muthappan Temple are all farmed by families 30 Muslim families in the village of Thirunavaya, on the banks of the Bharatapuzha river, who share an deep tie with Kerala's Hindu temples. They have been doing it for over a hundred years
Musthafa Chakkaliparambil who has a 40-acre farm on the Valiyaparappur lake.He supplies at least 7,000 lotuses a day to temples in Guruvayur and Kodungallur.
On an average, the village collects and distributes around 20,000 blooms every day. “Our business has thrived only because of the blessings of the deities and the revenue from temples,“ says Abdul Rahman Karakkadan, who supplies flowers to Guruvayur and Paramekkavu temple in Thrissur from his 85-acre farm.
The flowers are handed over to members of the Warrier community , who handle floral decorations in temples.“The Muslim families of Thirunavaya have maintained a good relationship with all temples,“ says Unni Varrier of Kadambuzha Bhagavathy Temple Devaswom.
But lotus farming is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers like Hassan Valiyaparappur. “Water hyacinths pose a major issue. Also, water levels have been receding over the years. Sometimes it is difficult to continue farming, especially with nil government aid,“ he says.
