Religious amity. In spite of the existence of several conflicting sects within Hindu religion and the prevalence of several non-Hindu faiths in the land of Kerala there was practically no religious rancour of any kind in the outlook of her people even from very early days. The Hindu, the Jain, the Buddhist, the Christian and the Muslim lived in the early Kerala society as good neighbours. This liberal and tolerant spirit may be seen in the relations between the different communities of the land even today. Instances are not rare of temples, churches and mosques existing in close proximity to one another and peoples of all communities and religions participating freely in religious festivals conducted under the auspices of these religious institutions.