Jangam

The Jangam or Jangama are a Shaiva order of wandering religious monks. They are the priests or gurus of the Hindu Shaiva sect of Lingāyats.[1] Before the formation of lingayatism, Jangam's were known as Smarta Brahmins. Jangam's are also known as Aradhya, Smarta Brahmins or Shaiva Brahmins.

History

Jangam are basically Karnataka. And also in Andhra Pradesh. In Tamil Nadu they migrated from Karnataka and from Andhra Pradesh in order to propagate the Shaivaite cult and to act as priests for performing religious rites. Many jangam live in Tamil Nadu, specifically, and in Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Theni, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Erode, Thirupur, Villupuram,[Arni] and Coimbatore, Pudukottai, Salem, Kanchipuram, Thiruvellore, Trichy and Chennai (Madras) districts.[2]

The word jangam is derived from the movable emblem (linga) of Lord Shiva. It is also called the swamy.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Russell, R. V.; Lal, Hira (1995). The tribes and castes of the central provinces of India, Volume 1. Asian Educational Services. p. 222. ISBN 81-206-0833-X.
  2. ↑ Reddy, S. S. (2004). "Jangam". In Singh, Kumar Suresh; Bhanu, B. V.; Anthropological Survey of India. People of India: Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. pp. 830–838. ISBN 81-7991-101-2.

External links

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