Vanniyar outside India Vanniyar also migrated to South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Seychelles, Mauritius and Fiji as part of the Tamil diaspora. Variant Vanniyar titles such as Govendar, Naicker and Pada Demographic spread The Vanniyar caste live in an area where three South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Karnataka intersects. In these latter two Indian states they are in sizeable mass primarily due to migration of other sects from outside and vice versa. In Tamil Nadu, the Vanniar live predominantly in the north, east, central and parts of north western. These areas cover more than 13 districts and traditionaly called as the VanniarBelt. It comprises the following districts in Tamilnadu: Chennai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, northern Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, northern Trichy, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, parts of Namakkal and northern Erode. Vanniyars constitute 33-35% of the population of Tamil Nadu and 60-65% of the population in Pondicherry, 15-20% of Andhara, 7-10% of Karnataka as per the 1931 Caste based Census. In terms of population they are the largest caste among the most backward classes listed in Tamil Nadu and Pondichery.[2]They are one of the very earliest caste to be socially well organized and today they are the most politically mobilized and well-informed caste from Tamilnadu.yatchi are used amongst their descendant vanniyar subcaste in india Tamil Nadu:-Vanniakula Kshatriya ( includingVanniyar, Vanniya, Vannia Gounder, Gownder,Gounder or Kander, Padayachi, Palli and Agnikula Kshatriya,Naicker, Nayakar , Reddiar, Rayar, Mazhavarayar, Kalingarayar. Pondicherry:-Agnikula Kshatriya, Pallekapu, Palloreddi,Vannekapu Vannereddi, Reddiar,Tigala (Tigla), Vanniyakula Khatriya including Vanniar or Vanniyar Gounder, Kondar or Vannia Gounder and Vannikandar (other than Vella Gounder belonging to Vanniyakula Kshatriya Caste). Andhra pradesh:-Agnikulakshatriya Palli Vadabalija Bestha Jalari Gangavar GangaputraGoondla Vanyakulakshtriya Vannekapu Vannereddi Reddiar Pallikapu Pallireddi Nayyala Pattapu Vanniar Vannikula-Kshatriya. Karnataka:-Tigala,Thigala, thelagaru , dharmarajukappu,VahnikulaKshatriya, Vanniya, Vanniyar, Reddi,Gowdaru ,halli Gowdaru, Gounder, Gownder, , Kander,Shanbhukula Kshatriya, AgnikulaKshatriya, Dharmaraja Kapu, Kerala:-Vaniar, Vanniar, Reddiar, Vaniya Nair,vaniya pillai Orissa:-Palli, Pallia, Agnikula Kshatriya Origion The name Vanniyar is derived from the Tamil word Vanni which means fire or Agni in Sanskrit. It also means Valour or Strength. They were originally known as Pallis in South India to called as Padaiyachis. The word Palli means "village". Padaiyachi means"commandant of the group or army" At Sirkazhi Vaideeswaran Temple, Inscriptions about Vanniyar Puranam are observed. It denotes that at ancient times there were two Asuras known as Vatapi and Mahi, who worshipped Brahma and obtainedimmunity from death and subsequently they garrisoned the Earth. At the request of Gods and Lords, Jambuva Mahamuni or Sambu/Jambu Maharishi performed a Yagam,or sacrifice by his yogic powers. Soon armed horsemen sprung from the flames, named VanniRaya; they undertook twelve expeditions and destroyed the Asuras and freed the Earth. Their leader then assumed the government of the country under the name Rudra Vanniya Maharaja or Veera Vanniyan, who had five sons,the Ancestors ofVanniyar Caste. This Tradition alludes to the destruction of the city of Vatapi by Narasimhavarman, the King of Pallis or Pallavas
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:44:11 +0000