Kerala the homeland of Mar Thoma Christians (St.Thomas Christians) is the South western state of India. It lies between the mountains and the Arabian Sea, stretching from Kannoor to Kanyakumari. This land is also known as Chera Rajyam (Chera Kingdom) and as Malabar. People of Kerala were Dravidians who had no special religion but had their own customs and traditions. Buddhism and Jainism entered Kerala just before the beginning of Christian era. A section of the people was attracted to these religions. They were very broadminded that even after the coming of Christianity, these three sections continued to live in harmony and kept their original Dravidian customs and traditions.