Castes and Tribes of Southern India/Ādisaivar

by Edgar Thurston

Ādisaivar.—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as "a sub-caste of Vellāla. They are singers of Dēvāra hymns in Saiva temples." The name indicates those who have been Saivites from the beginning,as opposed to recent Saivites. Ādisaivas are Saivites, who have survived the absorbing influence of the Lingayat sect. Saivites who profess the Lingāyat doctrines are known as Vīrasaivas. Some Pandārams, who belong to the Sōzhia sub-division of the Vellālas, regularly recite Tamil verses from Thēvāram and Tiruvāchagam in Saivite temples. This being their profession, they are also called Ōduvar (readers or reciters).