Devanga Culture and Rituals

On the Mahasivarathri day at midnight during Lingodbhavakalam (the scared time in which God Siva manifests in the form of huge flaming Linga) Abhishekam will be performed to God Mallikarjuna Swamy in a religious manner.

The Pagalankarana is a unique custom finds only in Srisailam temple and is the most significant event of the festival. In this a person belongs to weavers community (Devanga) tie a lengthy new white cloth called as Paga (Turban) starting from the Sikhara of the Swayvari Vimana Gopuram passing around the Nandi idols placed on the Mukhamandapam of the temple. The interesting feature of this event is that the Devanga will decorate the Paga with naked body in total darkness and all the lights at that time are put off in the temple.

The cloth used in the Pagalankarana is hand woven by weavers throughout the year. Nearly 30 Pagas are offered by various weavers individually as a vow and all the Pagas will be decorated simultaneously by a single devanga weaver.

Present Devangas

History of Devanga:
People of the same caste have different names in different states; like UP, MP, HP, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Andhrapradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Today many languages are spoken by Devanga people. Accordingly, they call themselves as KannadaDevanga and TELUGU DEVANGA.There is no Tamil Devanga as such. Some even speak Marathi in parts of Maharastra. Devangas are found in most of the Indian states.
There is also a large Kannada speaking community of Devangas in Tamil Nadu mainly based near the cities of Chinnalapatti, T.Kunnathur, Salem, Theni, Bodinayakanur,K­ ambam, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Komarapalayam, Pallipalayam,Er ode, Dindugal, Aruppukottai, Sulakkarai, Madurai,sankara lingapuram, Chennai and Virudhunagar. In Kerala, Kannada Devangas are concentrated in a few villages ,prominently in Kuthampally (Thrissur dist), also in villages,Karimpuzha, Kallanchira, Vallangi- Nemmara, all in Palghat dist, in pockets of Chittur (Palghat dist)& Kasaragode towns.In Karnataka they are predominantly present in Kollegal, Dodda Ballapur, Bangalore,Manga lore and Mysore. As per information passed from their ancestors, it was said that they had migrated from Mysore zone, when these areas were under the rule of King Chikka Chamaraja Wadayar ofMysore (around 1660 CE). The migration is said to be due to incompatible sultanate culture and the bitter experiences the community faced in the Vijayanagaraemp­ire (1560 AD). These migrations took place in batches after batches, which has branched itself; someon the northern side of the Kaveri River, some on thesouthern side of the Kaveri and some towards the western coasts, including the present regions of south-western Karnataka and northern Kerala, looking for culturally safe and protective settlement. The high influence of local social structures, local languages, andlack of Kannada literacy has brought in many variations, including the accent among many groups. Their kula devatha(family deity) is Goddess Chamundeshwari,­ which is also the family deity of the Mysore dynasty.
Also, in Karnataka a Malayali weavers' caste called Chaliya officially identifies itself as Devanga. However,culturally they differ completely from Kannada Devangas as the later is patriarchal and Chaliyas are matrilineal and primarily goddess worshipers.
Some of the prominent sub sects are Laddigars, Yenthelars, Balilars, Kappelars, Iremaneru, Kal Kotlars,Chinnu Kotlars, Kanjil Kudithars, Segunthalars,Am pukollars, Sevvelars....
Some of the Devanga's (Sects like Balilars, Kappelars - Ship-goers) were traders. Some of them were tax-collectors in Kollegal during Tipu Sultan Days. This association could be the reason that the Chowdeshwari temples Kalasams have a half moon and a star.
Even though the community is supposed to be vegetarian, nowadays most of them are non-vegetarians .
It is also understood that, possibly the Devanga's are settlers from the North West and probably non Hindu with links to Judaism (fire God worship).
Like in old days men are married at a very late age, like 30. Women attain good education even today, hence the family have good growth.
Associations :
The international Devanga community has headquartered in Karnataka.Kanna da 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).