Lohitha Gothram
Pravara : Kowshika, Viswamitra, Aghamarshana, Trayarsheya Pravarnvita, Lohita Gothra Aswalayanasutra, Rikh Shakhadhayayee.
Original Ancestors Of the 74 seats established for the spread of the doctrine by Sri Ramanuja two were headed by brothers, Maruthi Periyandan, and Maronrilla Maruthi Chiriyandan. Of these the first was looking after the private services of Sri Ramanuja and the second was looking after the Mutt administration. When Sri Ramanuja came over to Hoysala Karnataka under the pretext of Chola King persecutions, many came with Sri Ramanuja. At that time, Maruthichiriandan was also with Sri Ramanuja and looking after his private and other secular affairs. In course of time, Sri Ramanuja sent Maruthichiriyandan to Srirangam to bring news of the welfare Kurathalwan and others and about the political situation there at the time. He brought information on all these matters and informed Sri Ramanuja when he was at the Kalyani Tank that the Chola King had died.
Singanna Wodeyar, a descendent who came in the line of this Maruthi Chriandan became the ruler of Nagamangala territory. His wife Sitambe was a pious lady devoted to the service of the Gods and Bhagavathars. They had two sons of whom the elder was Thimmanna Dhanayaka (Thirumala Nayaka). His wife was Ranganayaki. He was a minister to the Vijayanagar king during 1446-1467 and was looking after the administration of Nagamangala Territory. As he had great love for Thirunarayanapuram (Melkote) and as it had become neglected and deteriorating he took steps to renovate the sacred place. He is the same person who built the Srirangapatnam Fort at first His younger brother Devaraja Wodeyar built a new dam across the Kaveri River and a canal for the irrigation of lands down below. That was the wellknown Haravu Canal. He also arranged for a Ramanuja Kootam, Annadna at Melkote at the place where the Manavala Jeer Sannidhi is situated now, and for an Agrahara and lands for the services there and for the daily pooja and offerings at the Nammalwar Sannidhi. Details of the charitable work, and endowments made by him are related in the preface under the heading “Charitable Works”.
Details of the families :
Ikkalike Maruthiandan In the olden days, two groups were very prominent namely the Mandayam and Ramanujapuram Agrahara groups. Not so prominent were those of Kunigal, Nagamangala etc. However, all of these members were learned strict disciplinerions and very high in matters of conduct and dealings. Even if they are brothers their internal dealings like pertaking food etc, dpending upon their place of residence, level of Achara and Vyvahara etc. Among their woman folk especially much importance was given to Achara, and one would not partake of food touched by another and so on. As educational institutions were situated in Mandya, students guests and other outsiders used to come often, and so for their food ten seers or ikkolaga of Rice was being cooked i the Temple under the management of Sri Alasingrachar, the great grand father of Sri M. A. Ramanujan Engineer. Hence this itself namely Ikkalige became the family surname of the family. They are also called by the name Maruthiyandan the name the original ancestors of this family.
Annaswamy, Sahukar Singlachar, Minnani, Chikkali etc. These four families are called Narasi Wodeyars. Narasi Wodeyar was a prominent person among the ancestors of these families from whom the family surname is derived.
Minnani is a name of endearment. In this family is found such great and learned persons like Srutaprakasikacharya. Ubhayavedanta Vidwan Srinivasa Iyengar, Sri Bhashyam Vidwan Ramanuja Iyengar and so on. In view of their learning etc. they were given the title Anandanpillais to indicate that they are highly learned like Mahavidwan Anandalwar.