Devadiga

Devadiga (also known as Moily, Moyily, Serigaru, Kavalnath, Devali) is a Hindu caste originally from the land stretching between Karwar in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala in west-coast of India up to the Chandragiri river. Due to the advent of industrialisation, the Devadigas are scattered all over India; mainly concentrated in Udupi,  Daskshina Kannada & Uttara Kannada Districts of Karnataka besides cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Mangalore.Traditionally, they are temple servants and musicians in Hindu and temples.[1]

Varna classification

The traditional varna system is largely not found in South India. Vadiraja Tirtha (ca. 1480 - ca. 1600), who lived for 120 years was a great Dvaita philosopher, poet, mystic and polymath.  There is a belief in currency that he ordained carpenters, goldsmiths, and Devadigas to be treated as Brahmins during their period of stay in temple for doing temple duties by performing a sanctifying ritual. [1]

Reservation status

Devadigas are categorized as Other Backward Class (OBC) by the Government of Karnataka.[2]

References
  1. Singh, K. S. (1998). India's Communities. Vol. 6. Anthropological Survey of India. pp. 786–787. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
  2. "Central List of OBCs for the State of Karnataka" (PDF). p. 15.
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