Ashtasahasram is a sub-sect of the Iyer community of Tamil Brahmins from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Ashtasahasram
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu
Languages
Brahmin Tamil
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Iyer, Tamil people

Culture

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The Ashtasahasrams as Iyers belong to the Smarta (Shaivite) tradition, along with the Vadamas, Brahacharanams, Vadyamans/Madhyamans, and the Kanials/Kaniyalars. However, the Ashtasahasrams are smaller in numbers and are considered inferior to the first two Brahmin groups.[1]

The Ashtasahasrams follow the Taittirīya śākhā of the Kr̥ṣṇa Yajurveda.[2]

They are Aparaśikhā Brahmins, who wear their traditional hair tuft towards the back of their head.[3]

Divisions

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The Ashtasahasram community is further sub-divided into four groups:[4]

  • Āttiyūr
  • Arivarpede
  • Nandivādi
  • Satkulam

References

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  1. ^ Fuller, C. J.; Narasimhan, Haripriya (2014). Tamil Brahmans: The Making of a Middle-Class Caste. University of Chicago Press. p. 6.
  2. ^ Mahadevan 2008, p. 51.
  3. ^ Mahadevan 2008, p. 3, 142-143.
  4. ^ Mahadevan, Thennilapuram P. (2008). "On the Southern Recension of the Mahābhārata, Brahman Migrations, and Brāhmī Paleography (For Frits Staal)". Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies. 15 (2): 143. doi:10.11588/ejvs.2008.2.327. ISSN 1084-7561.