Adikal
Encyclopedia
Adikal is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi
Nair
s in Kodungallur
, Kerala
. Women in this caste are known as Adisyaar or as Adiyamma. In Travancore they are known as Adishens or Aadichan Nairs. Aadichans were counted as Nair
until the Travancore Census of 1891. But from the census of 1901 onwards, they were counted as Chakkala Nair and Aadichan Nair, a separate category within the Nair super-group. They numbered 79 people during the 1901 Census.
by the dominant Nambuthiri sect. This sect of Brahmins who carry out priestly duties at Kodungallur are known as Adikal.
Ambalavasi
Ambalavasi is a generic name for a collection of castes among Hindus in Kerala who render temple services.-Etymology:The term Ambalavasi is derived from two Malayalam words, being Ambalam and Vasi...
Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s in Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Women in this caste are known as Adisyaar or as Adiyamma. In Travancore they are known as Adishens or Aadichan Nairs. Aadichans were counted as Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
until the Travancore Census of 1891. But from the census of 1901 onwards, they were counted as Chakkala Nair and Aadichan Nair, a separate category within the Nair super-group. They numbered 79 people during the 1901 Census.
Origin
Since the temple of Kodungallur has often been associated with animal sacrifices and other scandalous activities, the Nambuthiri sect of Malayali Brahmins refused to conduct poojas at this temple. The community that was willing to carry out pooja were relegated to a lower rung of Brahmin hierarchy known as AmbalavasiAmbalavasi
Ambalavasi is a generic name for a collection of castes among Hindus in Kerala who render temple services.-Etymology:The term Ambalavasi is derived from two Malayalam words, being Ambalam and Vasi...
by the dominant Nambuthiri sect. This sect of Brahmins who carry out priestly duties at Kodungallur are known as Adikal.
See also
- Nair Subcastes
- Pushpaka BrahminPushpaka BrahminPushpaka Brahmins or simply Pushpakas are a class of Brahmins in Kerala. They carry out the various activities of the temple, though not actual priestly activities. Pushpakas lived on the income of the temple and were under its care...
s - Sree Pushpaka Seva SanghamSree Pushpaka Seva SanghamSree Pushpaka Seva Sangham is a society established in 1968 for the socio-economic development of Pushpaka Brahmins. It is registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration act of 12/1955....
- PushpakadhwaniPushpakadhwaniPushpadhwani is a monthly magazine of Sree Pushpaka Seva Sangham, published from Trivandrum since 1991. The Managing Editor is C.N. P Nambi and the Chief Editor is Dr. Pradeep Jeothi. To read Pushpakadhwani online, visit the official web site of Sree Pushpaka Seva Sangham....