Karkarthar

The Karkarthar - கார்காத்தார் (also Karkathar) is a sub caste of Vellalars. They predominantly live in Tamil Nadu state of India.

Etymology

The meaning of the Tamil word "karkarthar" has been suggested as "those who guard the clouds", or "those who guard the ploughshares" according to the meaning of tamil word "kar". "Kar" can mean cloud or ploughshares. This symbolically refers to the maintenance of fertile soil, as traditionally they were associated with agriculture. However, this association has weakened over time and they are now to be found in many walks of life.

Populations

As of 2005 there are approximately 100,000 (est.) Karkarthar.

The majority of Karkarthar live in the Tamil Nadu districts of :

*Cuddalore (Chidambaram, Kattumannar Kovil, Virudhathachalam, and Thittakudi)
*Nagapattinam (Mayavaram, Sirkazhi, and Poompuhar)
*Thiruvarur
*Chennai
*Tanjore (particularly Kumbakonam)
*Trichi
*Pondicherry & Karaikal
*Thirunelveli
*Coimbatore

Language & Religion

The mother tongue of the Karkarthar the is Tamil language, with a unique dialect that is particular to the city of Mayavaram. They generally practice Saiva Siddhanta school of Hinduism.

Composite Thanjavur and Composite South Arcot districts particularly (Mayiladuthurai - Chidambaram Belt) 38 villages, 1,50,000 in voters only

Food Habits

Karkarthar are generally vegetarians.

Historic References

Manimekalai, one of the five great Epics in the Tamil language, mentions Karalar Fact|date=February 2007, the name generally believed to denote KarkartharFact|date=February 2007, twice, using the phrase "Karalar Sanbai" meaning "the city Sirkazhi of the Karkathar".

Sanbai is one of the 12 names of Sirkazhi popularized by Bakthi era poet Sambandar in his song sung before the Pandya prince of Madurai, saying that he hailed from Sirkazhi the holy place with twelve names. Amongst the 12 names he mentions Sanbai as one because of the wild growth of elephant grass, namely Sanban korai around the city.

Sirkazhi has a preeminent place in the literature related to Saiva Siddhanta school of Hinduism.

External links

* [http://www.karkathar.com/karkatthar.html Karkathar]

* [http://www.saivaneri.org/who_are_saiva_vellalars_or_saivapillais.htm Who are Saiva Vellalar's?]

* [http://www.karkatharmatrimony.com Karkathar Matrimony Site]