Vathima
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2017) |
 A. Seshayya Sastri | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Chola Nadu region of Tamil Nadu, Chennai | |
| Languages | |
| Brahmin Tamil | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Iyer, Tamil people |
Vathima are Iyers from Tamil Nadu, India. They are Pancha Dravida Brahmins of the Smarta Tradition who follow the Advaita Vedanta propounded by Adi Shankara.[1]
Geographical distribution
Due to their geographic concentration, it is noted that they tended to be isolated and had an insular culture.[2] The Vāthimas (Tamil: வாத்திமா) are few in number and are confined mostly to eighteen villages in Thanjavur district. They are sub-divided into Pathinettu Gramathu Vāthima (meaning Vāthima of the eighteen villages), Udayalur, Nannilam and Rathamangalam.