Gothras
The four prominent gothras are..
Kavadi |
Sathupadi |
Maanupadi |
Mendraguthi |
The first two gothras Kavadi and Sathupadi are considered to be superior to the other two. Sathupadi and Maanupadi gothras are considered cousins. Marriage between those gothra is not encouraged. Both Sathupadi and Maanupadi can get married to Kavadi. The fourth gothra Mendraguthi maintains marriage relations with all the remaining three gothras. There are reports about a fifth gothra called Kutada or Kutadi.
Each gothra is further sub-divided into a number of exogamous surnames. Endogamy at community level and exogamy at gothra and surnames-level are observed.
The origins of the gothra names can be traced down to how they be rendered their services to the temples in Southern India. They adorned Hindu deities by
• Kavadi - carrying the offerings for deities in a kavadi.
• Sathupadi - singing before the deities at the time of worship.
• Maanupadi - stiching a pair of shoes and presenting it to the temple.
• Mendraguthi - dragging the car at car festivals.