Castes and Tribes of Southern India/Pūjāri
Pūjāri.— Pūjāri is an occupational title, meaning priest, or performer of pūja (worship). It is described by Mr. H. A. Stuart *[1] as "a name applied to a class of priests, who mostly preside in the temples of the female deities — the Grāma Dēvatas or Ūr Ammas — and not in those of Vishnu or Siva. They do not wear the sacred thread, except on solemn occasions." Pūjāri has been recorded as a title of Billavas as they officiate as priests at bhūtasthānas (devil shrines), and of Halēpaiks, and Pūjāli as a title of some Irulas. Some families of Kusavans (potters), who manufacture clay idols, are also known as pūjāri. Pūja occurs as a sub-division of the Gollas. Some criminal Koravas travel in the guise of Pūjāris, and style themselves Korava Pūjāris.
- ↑ * Manual of the North Arcot district.