കാവ് (kaavu)

 Have you ever been to a Kaavu? The sacred groves?

I admit, I have zero knowledge about the religious aspects of the beliefs behind maintaining a kaavu in the ancient malayalee culture. I don't know if it's a thing owned by the upper caste malayalee to show their dominance, like every other deity in the state back in the day. All I understand is that it was a space created by humans to let other creatures co-exist. Specifically, snakes, because most cultures here tend to have myths associated with snake worship. 

Anyway, the image I have of a kaavu is what I imagined from classic malayalam novels and movies. A splendid green forest adjacent to human inhabitance, where beauty and spirituality collide. 

This was the image I had when my family mentioned the "kudumba kaavu" - the one created by my paternal ancestors. I don't even have the slightest memory of my first visit to the kaavu as I always dread snakes and the only thing I had or still have in my mind is coming face to face with a fiery snake. Oh, I am ophidiophobic, so I hope that explains. 

From the image I have of the kaavu right now, it isn't definitely what I thought it would be. I mean, there is no vast land, not too much greenery or inhabitance, except for this one or two huge trees. Hmmmm. 

The kaavu has been renovated recently, making it more human-friendly, and I have been going (forced to) offlate to attend the yearly  aayilya pooja. When everyone around is enchanted by the holy atmosphere, I think I am the only one who is restless - even the movement of a little leaf would make me jerk, I think you can imagine why. 

Even though I am not a religious person, nor does the kaavu provide the typical kaavu atmosphere, sans the fear that creeps in every now and then, kaavu gives me some sort of peace. 

When I look up, I see the huge tree canopy, and it makes me feel I am safe. There is an eerily peaceful atmosphere that exists, which, to be very honest, I can't remember I have experienced in any other Hindu religious sanctum. 

Eventhough I want to visit the kaavu more often, to sit in silence, and breateh in everything it offers, I have never been able to gain the courage to go sit there, leaving the paranoia behind me. I hope someday I'd be able to achieve it.