Devanga

Devanga is a sub-caste in Hinduism. They are one of the weaving castes in India. This page mainly deals with Devangas of Karnataka.Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

Origins

Devangas are of Brahmanical origin. They were also called as Deva Brahmana in ancient yugas.They were referred to as "devanga daiveeka brahmans" during early ages. They are Prakrut Brahmins (meaning brahmins by birth). Devanga belong to Smartha Brahmins, one who follows Advaitha Vedantha school of Hindu Philosophy.

There were also famous Devang kings like Bhatta Raja, Boja Raja of Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh, India). Many were also warriors during Vijayanagar times, according to warrior stones found in Hampi, Karnataka. Their native state was the kingdom of Ujjain where even to this day they form the major community. Their chief deity is Chowdeshwari (Chamundeshwari).

As is typical with other castes, Devangas became an endogamous unit of weavers(1), either due to caste rules or due to typical social conditions of India.

Myth of origin

Devangas trace the origin of their weaving tradition to a sage called Devala Maharshi. According to tradition, Devala Maharishi was the first person to weave the cotton cloth and gave it to Lord Shiva, who up until this time had been using animal skin. When Devala was taking the cloth to the Lord Shiva, demons came to attack him. Goddess Chowdeshwari (Chamundeshwari, 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 present the cloth to Lord Shiva.

Sects

Devanga was originally divided into two groups, the Gandadavaru and Namadavaru. There are the Saivite and Vaishnavite division among Devangas.

source: Rigveda Devanga (Div am ga) was the first ever Bhramin who (OHM) comes to this world to give clothes to human beings Thiruvalluvar in his eighth poem says one cannot reach PARAMAPATHA until one surrendered to this Bhramin(OHM).

Even to this day, the Devangas are either Saivites or Vaishnavites. In Devanga marriages, bride and groom should not belong to the same sect (Saivite or Vaishnavite). Gothras are clearly marked to belong to either of the two sects. Every marriage alliance thus unites bride and groom from two different Gothras.

For finding origin we have to explore RIG VEDA and history of Gayatri Peeta at Hampi from Vedic age which was started by Lord Shiva to spread DEVALA Dharma throughout the world as per Sreepathy Panditha. Moreover the Pasupatha of Laguleesa emerges and more Hindu divisions like Kasmira Shaiva were created by so many Saints based different areas.

Trivia

Devangas, along with other weaver communities, held good appointments during Vijayanagar King Krishnadevaraya's rule.

North Karnataka Devangas are primarily cotton or Khan weavers, whereas south Karnataka Devangas primarily manufacture silk sarees, including both pure and art silk. This is due to their association with Sourashtrams (primarily silk traders) when they were in Mysore. It was also said that Saurashtrians migrated from Saurashtra, part of Gujarat/Maharashtra, and settled down in the places where Devangas settled due to their business relationships. Even today we can notice the presence of Saurashtrians in most of the places where Devangas had settled, especially in Madurai and Salem.

Every one of the warrior sub sect have a sword in their homes. After the decline of Vijayanagar empire they settled in all parts of Tamil Nadu. Devanga Literacy in Tamil Nadu is High about 75% of them are doctors, Engineers and also in Leading Government Positions.

Some Lingayats live as Lingayats within the Devanga community and also maintain separate identity by having links with Lingayats of Karnataka. In North Karnataka Devanga caste divided into two groups 1.Kulachaar Devanga 2. Shivachar Devanga. The difference between these two group is only in Wearing the YAJNOPAVEET(JANIWAAR)by Kulachaar's and "SHIVADAAR WITH LINGA" by Shivachars. Both groups worships only goddess "SRI BANASHANKARI" of Badami

Food habits of Devangas also change from place to place. Devangas are vegetarians.

The tradition of Yajñopavītam - the "Sacred Thread" among the brahmans was derived from devangas.

Associations

The international Devanga community has headquartered in Karnataka. Kannada Devanaga yuvaka sanga has office in lakkasandra bangalore (near to the Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari devestana)Andra Pradesh in North America have formed the Andhra Devanga Sangam Of North America (ADSONA).

Telugu Devanga International Online Society.

Karavai Devanga Samaja has its offices in Bangalore. Its members are from the Devanga community from the coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala

in Madras (chennai) chennapuri devanga samajam located at basavaian street in old washermanpet ch.21.its members from the Devanga community from around by chennai city.

and they serve poor people like free marriages. devanga associations are also in karnataka. in bangalore devenga sanga is a very big association. and also other devanga sangas in bangalore.

Devanga marriages

Devanga marriages are like most Hindu marriages in the south with only 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. As among Hindus in general, 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.

The first of the rituals is harisna, wherein the bride's hands and feet are massaged with turmeric mixed with oil by all the married ladies. This is followed by the bangle ceremony, wherein new bangles specially brought by the banglewoman to the occasion are worn by all the ladies. This is followed by a nice bath, and other rituals continue whole night.

On the morning of the next day, the groom goes to temple with dhoti- -cotton dhoti soaked in Harisna water and dried to wear 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 sister on a silver plate. Bride wears cotton saree which is also soaked in Harisna water and dried. 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.

The couple stays together till they die. Divorces are few or unheard of as of now.

List of Devanga

• Sir P. Theagaroya Chetty (1852-1925): founder of the Justice Party, T.Nagar(Theogaraya Nagar), Chennai named after him.
• Aarathi, Kannada actress
• loknath kannada film actor
• [srinivasa murthy] kannada film artist
• Rajesh Kumar, Crime Novelist (Tamil)
• Umashree, Well-known Karnataka Theater & Film Artist and former member of Karnataka Legislative council.

Sri Chowdeswari temples

The most famous Goddess Chowdeswari temple is situated near Mysore in Chamundi hills (name derived from Chamundeswari).

Chamundeswari Temple

Many tempels were created centuries ago as people migrate and settle down in secure places. The temple management runs through the biggest family then.

Such a centuries old Temple of Sri Chowdeswari is located in Tiruppur in the village Kanakkampalayam, where many families are still following the family job (Weaving).

Sri Ramalinga Sowdambikai Amman temple is also located at Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, off Perumanallur Road. The temple committee also has a Marriage Hall, which is provided free of cost ( other than electrical & cooking charges ) to the Kannada Devanga community.

Beautiful Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari Temple is situated in Bangalore (laksandra)[near to NATIONAL DAIRY BANGALORE].The temple contains the gods like Sri Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari, ganesha,subriyamanya, ramalinga swamy, devala dasamaya, guru(pragaspathi).

Sri Ramalinga Sowdambikai Amman temple is also located at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in the heart of the city. It is one of the most prominent temples in Coimbatore region. The temple is known for its one-of-a-kind 'swords festival' where hundreds and thousands of devotees participate in a long procession.

Sri Ramalinga Chowdeshwari temple is also situated in the Hosa Road that is in the Hosur main road Bangalore .Lots of families who are following weaving in the area like Hosa Road and Garvebhavipalaya (hosour main road, Bangalore).

Sri Ramalinga Chowdeshwari temple is also situated near Hulimavu Gate, on Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore. (opposite to PSBB Junior School )

Sri Ramalinga Chowdeshwari temple is also situated in mangalore(karnataka) near mangaladevi temple.

Sri Ramalinga Chowdeshwari temple is also situated in Vadambachery Coimbatore District(tamilnadu).

Sri Ramalinga Chowdeshwari temple is also situated in Kollegal(Karnataka) near Bangalore (Around 138 Kms from bangalore).

References

1.Devanga as weaver: The Transition to a Colonial Economy Weavers, Merchants and Kings in South India, 1720–1800 Series: Cambridge Studies in Indian History and Society (No. 7) Prasannan Parthasarathi Boston College, Massachusetts page no 11,151,161,162

Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman Temple