Elavanthi

Elavanthi (also called "Ilavanthi", or "Elonthi") is a family name for a now spread-out group of families of South Asian origin and historically from a Buddhist tradition that gradually transformed to become Hindus. Considered to be originally residents of Central Travancore towns in Kerala, it is also said they possibly had connections/relations with the village of Elavanthi in Kovai (Coimbatore) region in Tamil Nadu, from where they took the name.

Overview

After the revival of Hinduism in South India, and somewhere between 9th to 11th centuries on account of the persecution of Buddhists, sections of the Elavanthi families are thought to have migrated to and settled inland in the "Vallabha cheri" area, present day Tiruvalla), and Onattukara areas such as Chamakkavu (Sharanga Kavu), of the Central Travancore region. Elavanthi families were thought to be associated with the communities around the ancient Buddhist viharas that existed in this region, such as the Sree Vallabha Temple of Thiruvalla (which is now a Vishnu temple). Chamakkavu (Sharanga Kavu) temple, on the banks of Achenkovil river, near Mavelikara is also said to have been a Buddhist place of worship converted to a Bhagavathi temple, and the Buddhist worshippers driven away to the nearby Vavvara-kavu (still held by the Elavanthi family).

Some of the Elavanthi family members were timber traders, possible reason for living on the riverside areas, other were agriculturists and some were traditional ayurvedic physicians. Certain of these families are also said to have converted to Christianity in the 19th and early 20th centuries and moved to Kottayam district.

The "Elavanthi" name was seldom used as a family name for individuals (as it was common to have a maternal uncle's or father's name used as surnames). Elavanthi family houses and properties were named "Elavanthi", "Lonthi" or "Ilavanthi". Elavanthi ancestral houses existed around "Elavanthi-kadavu" in the Praikara area of Mavelikara till around the turn of 20th century. Elavanthi families are now mostly unsettled from the Praikara area, while some branches of these families continue to live in Kallumala and Kottarukavu areas of Mavelikara town. Some of the recent generations of Elavanthi families have migrated to various cities in India and beginning the 1940s some have immigrated to settle outside of India."

Elavanthi Village:

This village is located around 40 km from Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India. This village has lot of wind mills. This is there in Pongular Constituency of Tamil Nadu State assembly. The Agriculture is poor in this region because of the hardness of the land water. People are depending on textile mills and garment factories in near by towns for their livelihood.