Kannada devanga chettiar

About Kannada devanga chettiar
World is the creation of Lord Shiva. Shiva first created Shakti, then with the help of Shakti he created this world. Shiva and Shakti are inseparable. Brahma was wished with Rakshasha Guna, Vishnu with Satvitha Guna and uthirar with Thamatha Guna. In the Tirumurti system, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the maintainer or preserver, and Uthirar is the destroyer or transformer.

As directed by lord Shiva, Brahma created Brahma deva's, land, water, hills, sea, tree, birds and animals. Manu was created by god to serve the deva's and humans by weaving clothes to them. After long time Manu was given motcha by lord Shiva. So there's no one available to take care of weaving clothes to deva's and humans. So the deva's complained the same to God Shiva.

On seeing the necessity Lord Shiva created "Delavan" who has all good characteristics. He too given him a varam that whenever a need arises he can pray Lord Sowdeswari and so she can come and help him when he is in trouble and blessed that he will also be called as "Devangan" because he is serving and helping deva's by weaving clothes to them.

Rakshasha started troubling Devangan because he is serving deva's. He called Lord Sowdeswari on a fine New Moon day, Sowdeswari appeared with her sulayitha pada and smashed the Rakshasha’s. And hence forth we are praying her on every full moon day without working on that day.

Kannada speaking community of Devangas in Tamil Nadu mainly based near the cities of Dindugal,Chinnalapatti, Madurai,T.Kunnathur, Salem, Theni, Bodinayakanur, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Erode, Aruppukottai, Sulakkarai, Chennai and Virudhunagar.

In Karnataka they are predominantly present in Kollegal, Dodda Ballapur, Bangalore, and Mysore. As per information passed from their ancestors, it was said that they had migrated from Mysore zone, when these areas were under the rule of King Chikku Chamaraja Wadiar of Mysore (around 1660 CE).

In Andra Pradesh they are present in Hyderabad, Warrangal and Guntur.

In Kerala they are in Vadakanancheri and Cochin.

Goddess Chowdeshwari
Goddess Chowdeshwari (Chowdeshwari a form of Durga, a warrior Goddess created by the Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, to fight the demon Mahishasura), perched on a lion, fought and vanquished the demons so that Devala Maharishi could give the cloth to the king.

Marriages
Devanga marriages are similar to Hindu marriages with subtle differences. Devangas generally have sangas or marriage consultants who will have the list of prospective brides and grooms. Most of the Devanga marriages are arranged marriages. Generally it is the parents of the groom or bride who search for the prospective partner for their children. The groom or bride generally gives an opinion as to the qualities, education, occupation etc. they would like to see in the future partner.

Once the parents shortlist the girl or boy, horoscope matching is done with the help of an astrologer. Once the matching is agreed by the astrologer, a meeting of the prospective boy and girl is arranged over a cup of tea or coffee. Boy and girl exchange their views and if agreed to by both boy and girl a date is fixed for the engagement, which is a small ceremony, generally held at the girl's house, wherein relatives of both boy and girl are present. If there are space constraints, the ceremony is held in a hotel or marriage hall. Ring is exchanged after engagement. Now the boy and girl are free to move around together to movies and restaurants. Premarital sex is not permitted.

The marriage date is fixed on the day of engagement. Marriages are generally held at marriage halls, or "choultries" as they are popularly called. Marriages are elaborate ceremonies lasting two to three days. (Due to rising costs, it is nowadays usually restricted to two days.) On the day prior to the wedding day, the bride arrives at the marriage hall. She seeks the blessings of the god. Then rituals will start.

On the morning of the next day, the groom goes to temple with dhoti and umbrella for a ritual called kashiyatra wherein he is intercepted by the parents of the bride and his feet is washed by the girl's parents on a silver plate. After this ritual, the groom moves to the marriage hall for the all-important sacred thread tying (Mangal sutra) which marks the culmination of bachelorhood and entering into married life. This is followed by lunch to all the invitees. In the evening a reception is arranged wherein the bride and bridegroom sit/stand on a podium. All the invitees greet the newlywed couples. This is followed by dinner.

Tegai-Kulam

There are many numbers of tegai (Kulam) in our community.

(1). Allikondar,(2). Allkulanelaru, (3). Ambugulnar, (4). Annaler, (5). Appukoldhar, (6). Araganathar, (7). Baanilar, (8). Bakthimaller, (9). Balaler(Sivam), (10). Balaler(Vishnu) (11). Balithar, (12). Balilar, (13). Baniyar, (14). Chinnukotlar, (15). Enthelar, (16). Gudigelar, (17). Irumaner, (18). Kadubelar, (19). Kallukotlar, (20). Kappelar, (21). Kenjalukuthidar, (22). Koradhar, (23). Ladhikar, (24). Malaler, (25). Maralelar, (26). Malidhar, (27). Malyathavar, (28). Mingilar, (29). Muchaladhar, (30). Muthaledar, (31). Muthundhar, (32). Pannethar, (33). Pavalathar, (34). Pawthamalner, (35). Pojaler, (36). Sevelar, (37). Sidhukoldhar, (38). Thubbelar.

Festivals

Janimara abba(Holy Thread changing Festival):

Once in a year we will be changing our holy threads on this day. A Pooja will be performed at this day on chetigarar (Head of particular group). The old holy thread will be removed and new one will be worn.

Doddu abba(Big Festivel):

Doddu abba is the dream festival of our community. Might be because of celebreating after no for years(might range form 4 to 12years). Sowdeswari's different avatharas Sakthi, Samundi and Jothi will be worshiped on these days. On the first day of the festivel Sakthi kalasa will be carried by the chetigar surrounded by veerakumara's kathi performance and veeramoti will scaring people by his performance. Second day Chamundi wil be carried by an horse and allowed to go anywhere as it wish. Third day festivel called Jothi will be carried by the chetigar's. All this three gods along with thousand's and thousands of crowd will march towards the planned streets. Shakthi, Samundi and Jothi godess will take a march along with kathi(Sword) performance of veerakumaras(youths of Devanga Chettiars) as well as the scarfying Veeramotti. Verramotti is has a scarifying look and scare the veerakumara's as well as the people around.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu