Exploring the Marian cult and syncretic practiices in the select churches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Abstract

This study, titled Exploring the Marian Cult and Syncretic Practices in Select Churches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, investigates the Marian cult within these specific churches, focusing on how Marian devotion has been shaped by cultural syncretism, oral narratives, and local religious traditions. Renowned for their association with apparition stories and miracle tales of Mary, these churches offer a unique lens through which to explore how such narratives have reshaped the belief systems of local communities and facilitated the integration of Mother Mary into the religious, caste- oriented, and cultural landscapes of the region. Drawing from cultural studies and religious syncretism theories, this thesis explores how Mother Mary has been indigenized within the socio-cultural and religious frameworks of Tamil and Malayalam-speaking communities. It also interrogates the intersections of power, culture, and religious authority, analysing how Marian devotion has adapted to local contexts while retaining theological significance. By framing Marian piety as a vehicle for the propagation of Christianity, the study explores whether Mother Mary functions as an ‘invisible goddess’ within the local religious consciousness, where the worship of mother goddesses is part of the region's cultural legacy. Furthermore, the study distinguishes the Marian cult from general devotion and contextualizes its role within the Syrian Christian tradition. It highlights the significance of Marian apparitions in religious syncretism, demonstrating how Marian devotion transcends religious boundaries. The research also examines the role of missionaries in propagating Marian piety by blending local traditions within caste-based hierarchies in Malayalam- and Tamil-speaking regions of that time. Inan era of contested religious identities, this thesis critically examines the Marian cult as both a theological and cultural phenomenon, underscoring its enduring relevance in the religious landscape of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.