Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
Hebbar and Mandyam Iyengars of Karnataka
An unique community concenrated in Melkote, Mysore, Mandyam, Hassan districts in Southern Karnataka, whose orgin is not precise.
One theory is that they are Jains converted to Sri vaisnavism along with their Hoysala King, during Ramanuja exile in Melkote (near Mysore).
Another theory is that they are local Kannadigas converted by Ramanuja.
Another possibility is that they are descendants of Ramanuja's disciples from Tamil Nadu who followed him during his exile.
Most visible of Karnataka Iyengars are Mandyam Iyengars, who differ from other Karnataka Iyengars, who belong to the Tenkalai sect, while other Iyengars come from both.
There is a sizeable Iyengar community hailing from Andra Pradesh, whose mother tongue is Telegu.
Some common Iyengar words
Perumal - Sriman Narayana/God
Thayyar - Laksmi
Thirumanjanam - Abhisekham
Cevittu - Worship
Kainkaryam - Service to God
Sri Curnam - Vermillion
Dadyodanam- Yogurt Rice
Puliyotharai - Tamarind rice
Thiru Kannamudu - Payasam
Adiyen - At your Service
Jeer - Tengalai Pontiff
Sri Vaisnavism in Northern India
Ramanuja was not only a spiritual leader but also a social reformer who wanted to bring change in the social order. This was met with strong opposition during and after his time and still remains a dream in Tamilnadu.
However, the scenario in North India is different, in regard the 2 sub-sects of Sri Vaisnavism.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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