Veluthedath Nair
Veluthedath Nair, also spelled as Veluthedathu Nair (Malayalam: വെളുത്തേടത്ത് നായർ) is a sub caste within Nair community in Kerala[1]. They use the title 'Nair'. They are distributed in almost all districts of Kerala. Veluthedath Nair is a temple oriented caste which works for other predominant sections. They were traditionally associated with temple rituals and services and their major role was submitting a specific cloth which is known as "Thiru Udayaada" to the idols of deities. It was also the duty of Veluthedath Nair to purify the place within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Initially they were Ambalavasis and later merged into the wider Nair community due to some socio-economic reasons. Pothuven, A Sub sect of Veluthedath Nair caste in older Cochin state had role in performing purificatory ceremonies[2] .The sacred specialists from Veluthedath Nair caste also performed the birth, marriage and death rites among the Nair community[3].
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Indian Law Reports: Containing Cases Determined by the High Court of Kerala. Kerala series. The Ohio State University: Government press 1963. 1963. p. 193.
- ^ Singh, K.S (1996). Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. New Delhi: Anthropological Survey Of India. p. 1860. ISBN 9780195633573.
- ^ Singh, K.S (1998). India's Communities. Vol. 6. Oxford University Press , New Delhi: Anthropological Survey Of India. p. 2622.