Acts of Apostle Thomas

XII KALABHRA INTER-REGNUM : M. M. NINAN
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North while Saivism became popular in the South. Kanchipuram became the center of Persian trade, Gnosticism
and of “Hinduism”. Their Dynasty lasted till the Ninth century AD.
In actual fact Hinduism as we know today started with the Pallavas.
It is easy to see that the Kalabhras were actually defeated and displaced by the Pallavas of Syrian origin. Though
they were Brahmins they became a terrorist group to take over the Kalabhra Empire. It was this dynasty who
gave refuge to the Gnostics from Syria and were the architects of modern Vaishnavism. Pallavas are famed for
their temples which are spread all over Tamil Nadu.
“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. At the end of the 'long
historical night' which continued in Cheranad till early 8th century A.D there arose an illustruous line of
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