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12. VAISHNAVISM
"Bhakti and temple-building movements went hand in hand after the Kalabhra interregnum ended. There was a definite paradigm shift from Vedic yajnas to archa worship in temples and the Velvikkudi copperplates are eloquent witness to the rejuvenation of the Vedic-Brahmanic religion in South India." (The Hindu, Sunday, Dec 23, 2001)
However Kerala survived the assault of gnosticism for another three centuries.
As a result the Kalabhra Interregnum extended till the eighth century in Kerala. It ended with the coming of Brahmins from outside India with Parasurama. At the end of eighth century we see temples and idols appear all of a sudden in Kerala.
Kalabhra interregnum AD 150 - 800
Hinduism emerge Idols and Temples
Thus soon after the Kalabhra interregnum we see an upsurge of Hinduism specifically of Vaishnavite tradition both in Tamil region and in Kerala. Thus it is certain that the rewriting of history was done by these people to blot out the memory of the vast and powerful history of the Indian Christendom. Apparently they succeeded.
"At the end of the eighth century A.D, South Indian kingdoms such as the Pallavas, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas and the Pandyas succeeded in overthrowing the Kalabhras." (http://www.indiasite.com/kerala/history.html)
"The revival of Hinduism from its root during the Kalabhras spurred the construction of numerous temples and these in turn generated Saiva and Viashnava devotional literature."
The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, built by the Pallava King Rajasimha (c. 700 - 728), is the
earliest temple in Southern India. Its three sanctuaries are dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.
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