The sacred shore

Sacred groves are places where belief has quietly helped protect nature for generations. At Idayilekkad Kavu in Kasaragod, that connection between faith and the living landscape is especially striking. One of the coastal groves closest to the sea, it shelters a remarkable mix of trees, climbers and other plant life, including species of ecological significance. A botanical study recorded 71 species from 66 genera and 42 families, including endemic and endangered species. Here, the grove is not simply a place of worship - it is a small, living ecosystem preserved through tradition and community care.