Devanga

Devangas is a community from South India that traditionally followed the occupation of weaving.

Origin and culture

The caste claims to be descended from Devala, an ancient Hindu sage.

Today, the community can be mostly found in the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu. Most members of this community are weavers of silk and cotton. The Devangas and Padmashalis were once the same community. The two divided when the Devangas began to follow Shaivite practices and the Padmashalis continued as Vaishnavites.

Religion

Devangas follow Veerashaivism or Shaivite ism. While some Devangas wear the yagnopaveetam or janivara others consider the Viramustis as their traditional preceptors, from whom they take precepts and wear lingam.

Devanga Purana

The Devanga Purana throws light on the early origins of this caste. In c. 1532, Devanga people requested Telugu poet Bhadralinga Kavi to write their kulapuranam and Bhadralinga Kavi composed Devanga Purana in dasimatra-dvipadi.