The temple architecture in Kerala is different from that of other regions in India. Largely dictated by the geography of the region that abounds in forests blessed with the bounties of the monsoons, the structure of the temples in Kerala is distinctive. The roofs are steep and pointed, and covered with copper sheets. The Kerala roof resembles those found in the Himalayan regions and those in East Asia. The shape of the roof is in accordance with the plan of the sanctum below. With a circular plan, one sees a conical roof, while with a square plan the roof is pyramidal. The roof is constructed with wood and is covered with copper plates. Most of the temples seen in Kerala today, have undergone several phases of renovation, given the perishable nature of the construction materials.

The history of Kerala dates back to the Cheras of the third century BC. The temples of Kerala are referenced in the works of the Tamil Alwar Saints and the Nayanmar Saints. Kulasekhara Alwar and Cheraman Perumaal (one of the Nayanmaars)belonged to the Cheras of the ninth century AD. There are several works on temple architecture written in Kerala during the 15th and the 16th centuries. The Bhakti literature of the 16th century played an important role in the temple culture of Kerala.The Maharajas of Travancore were ardent patrons of temples.

Temples have held an important place in the life of Keralites. Several temples in Kerala trace their origins to antiquity. However, they were renovated frequently and the current structures that are seen are vastly a result of the numerous renovations.

Christianity in Kerala is considered as ancient as the Christian epoch itself. It is the land God’s land that still resounds with the importunate words of the St. Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ who declared that he would not trust the events of Christ's death and resurrection until he witnessed the wounds of the ascended Christ. He is said to have set ashore at Muziris in AD 52 and set up seven and a half churches in Kerala - Kodungallur, Palayur, Paravur, Kokomangalam, Niranam, Chayal, and Kollam.

He himself built the Malayatoor Church and this place still has the Golden Cross, the well-preserved footprints of St. Thomas and the miraculous water well. He is regarded as the father of Christianity in India as he preached and spread this religion and initially converted twelve families of Brahmin in Kerala into Christians. The Syrian Christians of Kerala trace their origin to these Brahmin families.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese brought in the new style of Church-architecture in Kerala and then the latinization of churches took place. Santo Antonio, currently known as St. Francis Church in Kochi is the first church built in India in this European style. With passing time many churches were established in Kerala.

Kerala is having a healthy Muslim community and Kerala Muslims are just second in terms of population, the first being the Hindus. The Muslim community is mainly and densely found in the northern part of Kerala such a Malabar. The muslims in Kerala are believed to be those who have settled in Kerala from the Arab countries, as Kerala was a major trade center for the Arabs in the ancient time. The Muslims in Kerala are one of the ancient Muslim community that exists in India. Thus Kerala is also home to some of the ancient mosques in India and most of them are important pilgrimage centers for Kerala Muslims.