brahmin_thenkalaiPravara & Gotra

Pravara means a call or summons to Rishies and Gothra means a group of families. Our community is divided into 12 Gothras. They are of three and five Rishi Pravaras and followers of three Vedic Shakhas and three Grihya Sutras. The twelve prevailing Gothras are. 1. Athreya, 2. Bharadwaja, 3. Gargya Bharadwaja, 4. Gowthama, 5. Harita, 6. Kowndinya, 7. Kowshika, 8. Lohita, 9. Shandilya, 10. Srivatsa, 11. Vadhoola. 12. Vasishta.

Some Kowshika and Bharadwaja Gothra persons profess Dhrah-yayana Sutra and Saama Shakha, others are of Apasthamba Sutra, Yaju Shakha. Lohita Gothra people are of Ashwalayana Sutra and Rikh Shakha. Generally our community people are of three Rishi Pravara. Srivatsa Gothra people are of five Rishi Pravara. Within the Bharadwaja Gothra there are four types namely 1. Bharadwaja, 2. Kapaya, 3. Gargya, 4. Rowkshayana. In Gargya Bharadwaja branch, Ramanujamuni family is of three Rishi Pravara, according to Bodhayana Rishi. The Arayar Srirama Sharma family is of five Rishi Pravara according to Ashwalayana.

Sagothra (same Gothra) marriages are not allowed by tradition. But in to-days social set up it may be a difficult task to strictly observe this rule considering other factors such as matching ages, educational qualifications, etc. and also the aspirations of the boy and girl. Many of our customs are disappearing; one custom to diehard is “Purudu”, the Birth Pollution and “Sutaka”, Death pollution. The methods of determining between a simple bath and observation of three days or ten days of Sutaka defy the modern man. For deaths, of those within seven generations are to observe ten days Sutaka, and those beyond seven generations and up to fourteen generations, are to observe three days Sutaka.

Details of each Gothra are explained below:

Atreya Gothra

Pravara: Atreya, Archananasa, Seyavashva, Trayarsheya, Pravarnvisa, Attreya gothra; Apastamba Sutre, Yajushakhadhyayee.

FAMILY HISTORY :

1. Melnad Kidambi Srinivasa Iyengar.
2. Melnad Kidambi Thirumalachar
3. Melnad Kidambi Dr. Srinivasa Iyengar
4. Melnad Kidambi Veene Tirumalacharya

All the above belong to the Kidambi family. Kidambi is an Agrahara in Tamilnadu. Some members of this Agrahara appear among the 74 peethadhipaties appointed by Sri Ramanuja. More details of this family are not known. Of the known Kutastha of this time who had two sons the elder is Vidwan Venkatacharya who was well versed in Dharmashastra and also in the performance of religious auspicious and Apara ceremonies. He was a resident in Srirangapatnam at the time when Tippu was in power. Owing to political reasons, these families suffered much and when their life were endangered, the aged Venkatacharya and his sons and others left behind all their property and went to Tirupathy and resettled there. There they became recognised as people from Melnad and their families came to be known as ‘Melnad families’. The kutasthar’s second son’s descendents earned name and honours in the Mysore palace, for their ability to play the Veena and thereafter came to be known as Veene family. On the whole the members of these families are noted as scholars in Dharmasastras, Vedantha and were engaged in various professions like teaching, Ayurvedic Medicines purohitya and Vaidika Vrithi, etc. Thondanur Shirastedar Narayana Iyengar. The members of this family were doing services in the Thondanur Temple.

Kuttippaji Singra Iyengar

Parasuram Narayana Iyengar, was a resident of Melkote. His predecessors were honoured by the Mysore Maharaja with Sthalayasa Bhatmanya Theertha honours in the temple etc., as seen from the Nirupa dated 22.5.1801.

Srirangam Josyar 6. Katampalli Josyar 7. Halayur Josyar 8. Kote Josyar.

These are all patronised by the Mysore Maharajas and were dharmashastras and Jyothisha Vidwans of the Palace. Their families were recognised by the name of their professions and Agrahara where they were residing.

Kope Singara Iyengar

It is said that one of the early ancestors was of a very angry temperament (Short-temper) and that therefore their family got surname as Kope family. The person was even otherwise prominent. Some of this family name are seen among the Ramanujapuram Bharadwaja gotra persons. In the Bharadwaja and Vadhoola Gotra families also some kopes are seen. But they were some who have come over by adoption from the kope families and have yet retained their natural family name itself.

Sumani Family

One of the ancestors of this family had an attractive personality who was always have smiling face and would wear decent dress. He was also always of chearful temperment. On account of this people used to call him Sumani. In course of time that itself became the family name. More details of the Sumani family are not known.

Sri Sampathkumarachar. This person was a permanent resident of Melkote. He was a learned Vedic and Ubhayavedantha scholar. This person and Sri Nayaka Narasimhachar both helped Sri Kalki Narasimhachar to recover his mental health by doing Mantrajapam, Homam, and Theertha snanam from the Chaluve Urs Pushkarini.

Veerambudhi

Veerambudhi is a name of the tank near Thondanur. It was built by Vidwan Singracharya of this family, who also resided near the tank. On account of this from then on they were identified as Veerambudhi family. This person was Ubhay Vedantha scholar and also an expert in Engineering Architecture, in the service of the palace Srirangapatnam.

During Chikkadevaraja’s time a temple was built on the right side of the palace for installing Sri Svethavarshaswamy idol got from Srimushnam along with Utsavamurthy named Nelameghaswamy (Loha murthy got from Tanjavur) and also newly prepared Lakshmi Vigraha named Ambujavalli.

This temple was built under the guidance of this Vidwan Singlacharya in accordance with Agama and Silpa Shastras. He was also responsible for the design and development of Srirangapatnam as a fortress and also the construction of the temples at Srirangapatnam according to the Maharaja’s desire.

On account of these meritorious deeds, Sri Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar granted to Singlacharya of this family Jahagirs and also temple honours of the four temples Viz. 1. Sriranganathaswamy, 2. Narasimha Swami 3. Varaha Swamy 4. Melkote Thirunarayana Swamy temple after the honours of the Acharyapurusha. This honour was to be enjoyed by him as well as his descendents from generation to generation by issuing a nerupa to this effect. During Hyder time the Jagirs belonging to this family was confiscated and this family thus lost everything.

As there was also fear of danger for life, he went away to Shalya (Salem) and settled there. Maharani Lakshmaniamma was very sad. Hyder called him back and then restored all the Jagirs and temple honours etc. He also issued a nerupa to this effect in the year 1879.

Thirumale Iyengar came back from Shalya assumed the charge and the management of the temple.

In 1799, the British together with the Pradhan Tirumala Rao and Narayana Rao invaded Tippu. At this Tippu got enraged and ordered the removal of the idols of Srilakshmi Narasimhaswamy and Swetavaraha Swamy and demolished their temples. Those idols were installed by Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar and Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar at Srirangapatna.

At that time, Srirangacharya and Srinivasa Iyengar who were prestigious people installed those idols in the temple of Sriranganathaswamy and very carefully protected them. After Krishnaraja Wodeyar became the ruler, Srirangachar and Srinivasa Iyengar informed this to him. Then the Maharaja brought the idols Sweta Varaha Swamy to Mysore and built a beautiful temple and got the idol installed in the year 1810. Later in the year 1829, the Maharaja got the Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple renovated. He ordered these two people to be given all the honours of the temple and were appointed as parpattegars. Not only that, but the family of these people should be appointed in future also. In respect of this, the Maharaja issued
Nirupas in the years 1814, 1826, 1831 and in 1838. In addition these people were appointed as Supreme Authority in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple also in 1831. The Maharaja issued a nirupa ordering these people should be given Teertha prasadam etc., after the Acharyapurushas honoured in all the temples of the State.

Bharadwaja Gothram

Pravara : Angeerasa, Barhaspatya, Bharadwaja, Trayarsheya, Pravaranvita, Bharadwaja Gothra, Apastahambhasutra, Yajushaakhadhyayee.

History of the great Maha Vidwan Anandalwar, conferred with the title “Aan Pillai” by Sri Ramanuja, successors born in his family – Vidwan Periya Govindarajar and Vidwan Appayacharya Srinivasacharya including the land and villages they got as gift from Vijayanagar kings has already been explained in earlier pages. We now narrate the family details of the successors of Appayacharya Srinivasacharya after he established and settled down in Ramanujapuram Agrahara in AD 1558. Since they were born in Ananadalwar’s family and settled down at Ramanuja Puram Agrahara, they became famous as Ramanuja Puram Anandampillai’s (RA)

Ayyapatar– Must have been derived from Arya Bhattar – title conferred on highly learned scholars. Titles generally conferred are of six types depending on degree of learning- 1.Shrotriya 2. Pancha ratrika 3.Purna 4.Dikshita guru 5.Bhattaraka and 6. Bhattacharya, in the ascending order of learning. Ayya bhattar must have been either 5th or 6th category. To earn the title of Bhattacharya, one must have mastered Veda, Vedanga, Vedanta Artha (full meaning of Vedanga), Dharama Shastras, Yoga Shastras, and Poorvapara Prayoga. Srinivasacharyar, who established Ramanuja Puram in 1558 was the son of Varadacharyar, .who was the eldest son of Kootasthar Vidwan Venkatacharyar. His eldest successor is the famous Ayya Bhattar Swamy and his successors are all known as Ayya Bhattars.

Ayya Patar Venkatacharyar– Resident of Ramanuja Puram, Vidwan, giving discourses on Lord Vishnu. In 1896 in the discourse he gave at Kottige Beedi Agrahara on the subject of Tirumantra was attended by a large number of us (written in 1980)

Bharadwaja Gotram – Sama Shaakha (Branch – Chandas)

Pravara : Angirasa, Barhaspatya Bharadwaja Trayarsheya Pravaranvita Bharadwaja gothra, Drahyayana sutra, Sama Shakhadhyayee.

Origin of this Lineage : The Kutasthar (the first predecessor) of this family is yechhan (Yagnesha). He was one of the seventy four heads of the Peethas ordained by Sri Ramanujacharya. He was the native of Tirukkannapuram, a divyadesha. The dhyanashloka of this person is

 

meaning that we pay our obeisances to that Yagnesha who taught us that subservience of our soul to the supreme soul Lord Vishnu, does not stop at that but is subservient even to Vyshnavas or those who belong are devotees of Lord Vishnu.

Yechhan, Anandalwar, Tondanur Nambi, Marudur Nambi, all four were commanded by Sri Ramanujacharyar to assist Arulala Perumal Emberumanar in the propagation of Srivaishnava philosophy. Possessed of this greatness, all the descendents of that yechhan were recognised by the same name. All these persons were present at the time of demise of Sri Ramanujacharya. Some descendents of this lineage migrated to this Melnadu (upper country or the Northern parts of the Deccan Plateau) and inhabited the confluence region Tiruma Kudalu. They then obtained the blessings and grace of the Lord of that Kshetra, Sri Gunja Narasimhaswamy, and according to the direction of that Lord through a dream, they got the support of the King in the capital of Sri Rangapattana. Ever since then this family is worshipping Sri Gunja Narasimhaswamy as their family diety.

Vidwan Yechhan Krishna Jois was patronised by the kind of Srirangapattana and was the court astrologer and scholar. His residence was near the swinging bridge which existed till recently.
Learned scholars and political stalwarts that were Vidwan Nayak Shyam Iyengar, his brother Shingara Iyengar, their friend Seshadri Iyengar, all these three conferred together in the affairs of royal administration. Seshadri Iyengar was the assistant controller of an army battalion and was the right hand of Tirumala Rao and Narayan Rao who were the political administrators for the King.

Tipu, who was in charge of the kingdom in 1792, did not like their administration and because of their opposition to Tipu, he got all the friends and relatives of the above administrators murdered. Seshadri Iyengar and his followers smelt danger to their life and in the middle of night while escaping over the Cauvery river were washed away in the fast currents. His sister Rukmini was married with the above mentioned Vidwan Krishna Jois. As she did not beget issues, he married Nagamangala Nachhiyaramma, a second time. She too did not beget any issue. Then he married a girl of Mandayam Srivaishnava Community, as a third wife. She too proved unsuccessful in reproducing and so in deference to the wishes of the second wife Nagamangala Nachiyaramma he adopted one of the two sons Jois Venkatacharya of Ketanahalli Anantachar. Now the descendents of this adopted person are living in Mysore. Reputed court scholar, Dharmadhikari, Jyotisharotna Srinivasa Narasimha Jois and Sampathkrishna Jois belong to his ineage.As per the wishes of the third wife, Vidwan Krishna Jois, adopted Gunja Narasimha Iyengar, son of Sri Gunja Sampathkumaracharya of Koundinya Gotra. This person had three sons. The descendents of one of these sons belongs to the lineage of Gunja Narasimha Iyengar.

Tipu who was in-charge of the Kingdom got all the people who opposed his method of administration murdered, when the British came to wage a war with him in 1799. Then the Royal family was in danger of extinction. At that time, Vidwan Krishna Jois and his wife Rukmini secretly gave shelter to the Prince Mummadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar. When this Prince ascended the throne late, out of gratefulness, he arranged for the royal honours like the palanquin, the band, gaurd of honour, horse retinue, torchfire, etc. to attend all the auspicious functions conducted at the house of that Jois family.

Gargya Bharadwaja Gothram

Pravara : Angeerasa, Gargya, Shainya, Thrayarsheya, Pravaranvita, Gargya Gothra, Apasthambha Sutra – Yejushaakhadhyayee.

Origin of the Family: When the Kootasthar or the originator of this family, Ramanujamuni Thirunarayana Iyengar was a Brahmachari another staunch devotee blessed him with an Idole of Lord Krishna and ordained him to recite Ramanuja-nootandadi daily. The Divyaprabandha is in praise of Sri Ramanuja. He likewise did as ordained. On account of this he got married and his family got the surname of Ramanujamuni. That Idol of Lord Krishna is being worshiped in that family even to this day. In this family the sons and grandsons of Narasimhachar were Ubhaya Vedantha Vidwans and were Nalayira Adhyapakas in Sri Narayanaswamy Temple.

  1. Shree Ramanujamuni Narayana Iyengar of this family took Sanyasa and became the Matadhipathi of the Sri Yathiraja Mutt on 30.12.1971 and graced the peetha until 10.5.1979. This Jeer conducted nearly eight Chaturmasya vrathams for the welfare of the Nation.
  2. Kanchi Varadarajan – Details of the house-hold are not available.
  3. Talekere Shri Ramasharma The details of the family are not available. But above said 1 and 2 families recite Thriyarisheya, where as this third family recite pancharshaya which consists of five Rishies i.e. Angeerasa, Brahaspatya, Bharadhwaja, Gargya, Shainya.

Gouthama Gothram

Pravara : Angeerasa, Ayasya, Gowthama, Trayarsheya, Pravaranvita, Gouthama Gothra, Apasthambha Sutra, Yajushakhadhyayae.

Family History : Sri Poonjalam Family Srirangapattanam Govindaraja Iyengar

This family was permanent resident of Srirangapatna. Nothing is known to us about the predecessors of this family. Sri S.G. Narasimhachar and his brother Sri Govindaraja Iyengar were orthodox people and of helping nature. They have produced very many books in Kannada and also helped Sri R. Narasimhachar in writing books. Both the brothers knew many Indian Languages and also the characters of archeological documents. It was an old custom among Hindus to adore their head with flowers. One of the members of the family, Sri Govindaraja Wodeyar never stirred out without adoring his head with flowers. When fresh flowers were not available he used to dress his head with discorded old and dried flowers. Hence this family was since then called poonjalam family.

Harita Gothram

Pravara : Angirasa, Ambareesha, Yowvanashwa Trayarshaya, Pravarnvita Harita Gotra Apastambha Sutra, Yajushakhadhyayee.

Original Ancestors:

Sree Keshava Somayajee – A resident of Sriperambudur with his wife Kantimati performed a Yagnya on the bank of the Kairavani Pushkarini. As a result, according to the God’s wish Sri Ramanuja as incarnation of Adisesha was born in 1017 AD Pingala year, Aridra star. Even while he was studying the Shastras his father arranged his marriage with Periapiratty, the daughter of Kandade Nayan of Kura Agrahara. After sometime, his father Somayajee died. After performing his obsequies, Sri Ramanuja came to Kanchipuram and continued his study of Vedantashastras under famous Vidwan Yadavaprakasha. After finishing his studies Sri Ramanuja as directed by Varadaraja, became the shishya of Perianumbi and was being instructed by him all the essentials of the established tradition. During this period Sri Ramanuja’s wife gave birth to twins in the Vishaakha star during Ani month. They were named Emman Varadacharya and Pemman Varadacharya (Asuri Perumal) by Sri Ramanuja.

When Sri Ramanuja thus became a sanyasi and was doing service to Lord Varadaraja, Koorattalwan and Mudaliyandan came to know of his greatness became his disciples and assisted him in his philosophic activities.

Pemman Varadacharya called Asuri Perumal had a son Masilavappan also called Sukumaracharya who earned Sri Ramanujas blessings. His son was Thrivikramappan who earned the grace of Sri Ramanuja and enjoyed first theertha etc. honours at the temples in the eight places 1. Kanchi 2. Sriperambudur 3.Tiruvevalur 4. Tiruniravoor 5. Thirumolisai 6. Puvirundamallikai 7. Thiruvellikkeni and 8. Thiruneeramalai.

Trivikramacharya’s descendents are Pramatharthiharacharya etc.

The line of descendents of Sri Ramanuja has been traced down to Sri Pranathirthacharya and then a gap is left as the line is very long. It is again taken up from Sri Trimulacharya and continued up to the present lines. Asuri is an Agrahara 10 miles from Sriperambudur near Madras.

Family particulars
Thirumalacharya – a worthy descendent in the line of Sri Ramanuja came to Tirunarayanapuram and resided in a place called Ramanuja Agrahara. Gaining the love and respect of the Vijayanagara and Mysore Kings he spent his time giving religious discourses etc. Sri Ramanuja’s discovery and consecration of the idol of Sri Tirunarayanaswamy was on Makara Sukla Punarvasu. The yearly celebration of that event is the privilege of the Asuri family.

Vomba Singra Iyengar. This line is now extinct.

M.O. Parthasarathi Iyengar and Brothers.

Sri M.O. Parthasarathi Iyengar was a very great intellectual and important leading person of the community. During his life time of 1857 to 1926 he has made minificient endowments to many worthy causes and arranged for perpetual performance of many charitable objects.

Avasara Selvapille Rayar

Among various departments of administration in Mysore palace is a department to meet emergent situation called emergency (Avasara) department. As this person was holding an important post in that department he earned the surname Avasara Selvapillerayar and that became their family name.

Chikkathambi Thirunarayana Iyengar

He was a resident of Melukote. His ancestors Chokkatambi Singlacharya and his son Srinivasa Iyengar had according to Maharaja’s Sannad dated 21.7.1869, the right of Sthalavasa, Bhatomanya and temple honours etc.

Akkalli – Rangaswamy

Agraharam Venkatachar, Singlachar and their descendents.

Vidwan Asuri Anandalwar

He was born on 24-7-1859 in Kalayukti years and deeply studied Vedanta, Sahitya, Agama Shastras etc. and was a reputed vidwan. He travelled all over India and earned great honours for his learning in the court of many Maharajas and in Mahasabhas of learned persons. He had prepared a genological record of Mandayam Community families. It is mainly that, that we are now bringing out in print. In 1921 agreeing to the earnest invitation of the members of the community and in their interest he took to Sanyasa and was installed in the Yatiraja Mutt Peetam on 11.2.1921 and for nearly 22 years graced the peetham for the good of the people.

He had a large body of Shishyas during his time. He was doing the Kankaryams of Sri Tirunarayanaperumal and with his blessing went on tour of Northern India for nearly eight years. He had covered on foot places such as Tirupati, Madras, Nellore and the whole of Andhra Province, Calcutta, Gaya, Kasi, Rewa state and so on and earned many honours from Kings and the learned bodies all over India and spread Vishistadwaita philisophy through his learned discourses etc. He established branches of Sri Yathiraja Mutt at Bangalore and Madras. As a result of
his researches he discovered and edited many sanskrit works in Vedantha, Agama Alankara, and Sahitya Shastras.

He attained Paramapadam on 17-4-1943. His younger brother Vidwan Asuri Krishna Iyengar was also a very learned person and has written many sanskrit books on Sampradaya, philosophy & on Military techniques, etc.

Periyannaji Family

These were permanent residents in Tirunarayanapuram and are entitled to some temple honours there.

Kowndinya Gothram

Pravara : Vasishta, Mytravaruna, Kowndinya, Trayarsheya, Pravaranvita, Kowndinya Gothra, Apastambhasutra, Yajushaakhadhyayee.

ORIGINAL ANCESTORS – GOMATAM FAMILY
The original ancestor was Gomtathalwan who was a direct disciple of Sri Ramanuja and one of the 74 Peetadhipathis. All his descendants are identified as Gomatam family persons.

Some Families Particulars – Gomatam Amruthur Josyar. Mooka Gramani. Sri Ramapuram Josyar. G. R. Josyar.

  1. All these descending from the original ancestor Gomatahalwan, were Ritwics Asthana Jyotisha Vidwans in the Mysore Palace. Kootasthar Pam-Samudram Singlachar’s eldest son Sri Varadacharya was given in adoption to Amruthur Srinivasa Josyar a triratra gnyati.
  2. Gramani Singraiyengar’s son Gramani Annaiah was given in adoption to Vadhula gotram. Mooka Singalacharya’s grandson Gramani Singalacharya was proficient in Ayurveda and Silpa Sastra and have written many books in Kannada. He was also capable of composing poems in Kannada.
  3. Sriramapuram Srinivasa Josyar. At present members of this family are residing in Bangalore.
  4. Sri Gomatam Srinivasa Josyar and his son G.R. Josyar from a line whose ancestors were Acharyapurushas in Melkote and had honours of Bhatamanya and Sthalavasa Teertha etc, under a Sannad of 26.7.1827 from the Maharaja of Mysore. Father and son have been printing and publishing many Vedic texts, Vedantha Rahasya Texts and historical works etc., for the benefit of mankind.
  5. Gadikhaana. Tholi. Shastri Families.
  6. Sri Gunja Gomatam Singlachar.
  7. G.G. Sri Josya Singlachar was the father of Sri G.G. Narasimhachar. Singlachar was the resident of Melkote and Vidwan in Ubhayavedantha. He tried all means to install his father as the Sanyasin of Sri Yatirajamutt at Melkote. But the educated elite of Melkote strongly opposed this. Therefore Josya Singlachar arranged asceticism of his father and constructed an Ashram at Manikarnika-ghat near Srirangapatnam. This Sanyasin died here and his Bridavana was erected.
  8. Dadagam Family – Makaram (Dadagam) Singra Iyengar. The Village Dadagam is situated near Kunigal. Makaram Singra Iyengar of Srivatsa Gothram was adopted to this family. He continued his original family name of 1. Makaram Iyengar 2. Thirunarayana Iyengar 3. Alashingrachar. They belong to Ramanujapuram Agrahara and are named Ilayavili family which may be title or and any particular quality of among the members of the family. Ilayavili was one of the 74 peethadhipathi appointed by Sri Ramanuja. Some time about 1835 A.D. or so they might have come over to Mysore from Agraharam or Srirangapatnam when Mysore became the capital, as they had earned some recognition by Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
  9. Sri Shamaiyengar : (Eldest son) because he was some what black (shyamala) in colour might have earned that name.
  10. Sri Thirunarayana Iyengar : (Second son) because he was very fine body built and features may have earned the surname Bheemaraya.
  11. Sri Alasingarachar : (Third son) because he was a close and timely companion of the Maharaja like the Vidooshakas cutting witty jokes and making appropriate and intelligent remarks and commentary on men and matters in the presence of the Maharaja and hence called Tippani. That is commentator. These three became their family names.
    • Vokkarane Family
    • Ilayavilli – Jaggu Family
    • Devashikhamani, etc.
  12. Mahavidwan Natampalli Singlachar: The members of this family were living in a hamlet called Natampalli. Hence they were known as Natampally Family. One of this family Mahavidwan Singlachar, a resident of Melkote was vyakarana (grammer) shastra in the sanskrit college He had five sons 1. Sri Rangarajan, the eldest was a good scholar in Sanskrit and was supplying flowers and Tulasi to the dieties of the temple. His son Appaiengar was veda vidwan. 2. Vidwan Anandalwar. He was a Sanskrit scholar. He was adopted by the Anandan Pillai family. 3. Sri Venkatachar, was a resident of Mysore. He was a vidwan of vedantha in the Mysore Palace. He was also an appraisor of diamond and other precious stones. He was interested in Yoga. He passed away while he was meditating on God. 4. Vidwan Alasingrachar He studied Tarka under his elder brother Sri Anandalwar. Anandalwar and Alasingrachar used to attend all the session held in Sanskrit. He lived in Melukote. This famous vidwan took sanyasa and became the Acharya of Sri Yatiraja Mutt in his 76th year. He visited many piligrim centres. He visited Madras on his piligrimage and praised God Sri Parthasarathy and was honoured. He then returned to Melukote. In 1880 he, with his brother Vidwan Venkatachar toured Northern India. While in Andhra Pradesh, the Raja of Bobbili and Vijayanagar became his desciples and was honoured by them. As he became week in body, he donned his brother Sri Thirunarayana Perumal with Sansashram and passed away in Srikurmam. He published many sanskrit books in Vedantha. 5. Vidwan Thirunarayana Perumal. This pious man was born on 22.6.1800. He studied Sanskrit and was an authority in Yajurveda. He was residing at Melkote along with his cousin Sri Appaiengar. He taught the veda to many of his desciples. He with his brother Vidwan Alasingrachar the head of the Sri Yatiraja Mutt toured Northern India. After Sri Alasingrachar’s death, he became the sanyasin on 24.2.1886. – in his 86th year of age. While on his tour he met Maharaja of Rewa and blessed him and was honoured by the Maharaja. While returning to his native place he took ill and died at Nagpur on 3.8.1887. He performed two chaturmasa vratha for the welfare of the nation.
  13. Mathre Family : Sri Vidwan Alasingrachar. And his sons were Ayurvedic doctors and used to treat the patients by administering Ayurvedic medicine. Hence their family name. The members of this family are entitled to receive temple honours of Sri Janardhana Swamy of Mandya.
  14. Bindige Narasimhachar : The ancestors of this family lived at Melkote. Bindige Narasimhachar while digging the earth got a pot hidden in the ground containing wealth. Hence the family name.
  15. Sahukar Keshavachar : The predicessors of this lineage above, this person are not known. One day this person dreamt of acquiring great wealth. The next day Friday evening when lifting water from a well, by chance he looked down the well and found there shining plates made of silver. Wonderstruck, he recollected the dream and descended down the well, and brought up all the plates. The proceeds of the sale of these places made him rich and he was called Sahukar. This became the surname of the family.
  16. Kattisadhakar Narasimhachar : This person was an expert doing acrobatics with sword. He could even cut into two a small lemon placed on a shoulder with a sword. Hence, he and his family descendents came to be identified with this family name. More details about the family members is not known.
  17. Mudigumbham Venkatachar (Krishnaiyyan) Sri Krishnayyan, the eldest son of the Kootasthar used to bring drinking water in a big pot from drinking water tank. He used to clean the vessel very well.He also would dress himself well and had a fine attractive personality. Seeing him well dressed and bringing water in a pearl like clean and bright vessel and with a very attractive pleasing gait after, he was called muthukumbha swamy, and that itself became the family name of him, and his descendents Vidwan Venkatacharya – one of the illustrious descendents of this family born in 1814 took sanyasa and became the Peethadhipathy of Sri Yathiraja Mutt, and was the head for a period of 7 chaturmasyas (1867 to 1874). He was giving Ubhaya Vedantha Kalakshepam and attained paramapadam in the Bhava year on 1874. During his period, prativadibhayanckarama Appalachar and Ramanujachar were helping him in the administration of the mutt affairs. The descendents in this family beyond the second generation of this Venkatacharya are not traceable.
  18. Kasi Srinivasa Iyengar – This person used to help in collection from the public for the purpose of the Thadiyaradhanam at the Sri Yathiraja Mutt utsavams like vairamudi, etc.
    Rayappan, Adhyapaka Srinivasa Iyengar His family people were Mandya residents. This person performing Adhyapaka Kainkaryam in reciting the 4000 Divya-Prabandhas at the temple. Consequently this family began to be identified by the family surname Adhyapaka family.
  19. Nalli Family Srinivasa Iyengar was a kind hearted man. Wherever he went if he found any vacant space, he planted flowers and Tulasi plants. Hence, he was identified as Nalli family. *The crabs generally digs deep into the earth and live there).
  20. Hundi Krishna Iyengar. Rayappan Srinivasa Iyengar’s younger brother Krishna Iyengar was given in adoption to his uncle Rangacharya who was a resident of Hundi Agrahara. Hence, they were identified by the Agrahara name itself namely Hundi Family.
  21. Godhi Srinivasa Iyengar. This person comes in the middle of the family of the Kootasthar.
    Manni Singlachar One Singra Iyengar is noticed as a descendent in the eldest line the Kootastha of this family. In this line comes Manni Singlachar. The above singlachar was a cashier in the wellknown Madras Bank. His house was to the east of the temple – Kairavani Tank. He was rich and helping many students belonging to the Mandayam community and also others of the community and this enabled many of this community to reside in Madras. In 1880 he invited the Sri Yathiraja Jeeyar Sri Natampalli Alasingrachar to Madras and arranged for a glorious reception and stay. He had an adopted son Thirumalacharya.
    Kottagalam Vidwan Venkatachar He was a resident of Kottagalam Agrahara near Mandya and the descendents of this Venkatachar are called Kottagalam family.
  22. Onti Singlachar. This person was called Kundalam Narasimhacharyar. On account of his profound scholarship the Maharaja of Mysore during one of his Darbars removed one of his ear rings and presented it to him for his scholarship. From then on, the Maharaja used to appear during the Navarathri celebration with only one ear-ring. This Vidwan also used to appear wearing only this one ear-ring all his time and it is now offered to Sri Parthasarathy diety at Thiruvellikkeni. It can be seen in that shrine even now. His eldest son Krishna Iyengar was also very learned and was honoured in the Mysore Darbar with Makara Kundala presentation. Consequently this family began to be identified as the Vonti family. These were all residents of Srirangapatna.
  23. Vakil Thirumalachar – The grand son of Onti Singlachar was Thirumalachar. This person was wellknown as Vakil Thirumalacharyar. He was a resident of Srirangapatna. His father, grand father and fore fathers were all Ubhayavedantha Vidwans and Asthana Vidwans in the Mysore palace. Sri Yogi Parthasarathy Iyengar was his second younger brother.
  24. Yogi Parthasarathy Iyengar – This noble person was also residing in Srirangapatna. He was the son of Vidwan Krishna Iyengar and grand son of Maha Vidwan Onti Singlachar and, was the younger brother of Vakil Thirumalacharya. He was a Ubhayavedantha scholar and also learnt English and Law and practiced as an Advocate in Madras. He studied Sri Bhashyam and other sacred Rahasya texts under Embarjeyar Swamy of Madhuramangalam. He also translated into English Sri Bhashyam and other religious texts. He also printed and published many Dharmashastras and pancharatna Granthas. Prompted by the noble person, Sri Ramadas Vijaya Raghava Bhaskara Setupati, the Maharaja of Ramanathapuram offered Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana etc., idols to Sri Yogi Parthasarathi Iyengar who got them ceremoniously installed at Ayodhya with the help of Sri Yadugiri Yatiraja Chinna Kumara Jeeyar Swamy, and he donated all his property for the permanent daily and occasional Poojas of the Gods. He has also offered a golden Tridanda to Sri Ramanuja at Melkote which is even now seen at the shrine.
  25. Karohalli Singlacharya – The above Kootasthar had two sons. The second of them Kottagalam Singlacharya had two grand sons of whom the second was Singra Iyengar whose descendent was this Singlacharya. This person was serving in the Goshala attached to the Sri Krishna Temple in the Mysore palace precints. Hence his family was identified by the surname Karuhally (Goshala). Among the 74 Simhasanadhipati’s created by Sri Ramanuja for establishing his Siddhanta, Komandur Elayavilli was one. Komandur is an Agraharam near Kanchipuram. Elayavilli is a unique title given to him. Sri Rama is some times referred to as Periya villi – holder of big (Periya) bow (Vill in tamil)) and Lakshmana as Elaya villi – holder of small bow. This gentleman served Sri Ramanuja with the same devotion with which Lakshmana served Sri Rama and hence this name. Since then his family members are also referred by same name, but over a period Komandur became Komar.
  26. Vidwan Alasingrachar– This gentleman was a friend of Mysore king Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar as well as his Asthana Vidwan and Family Priest. It appears once when he did Ramayana Pattabhishekha in kings palace the king gave as a gift Singamarahalli and a few villages as gift to him. Alasingrachar had married Singamma, daughter of Appajayya Govindarajayya who was the son of Tirumalayyangar, the prime minister in king’s office. He got a son Tirumala Iyengar born in 1645 in Srirangapatna.
  27. Vidwan Mantri Tirumala Iyengar-(1645-1706) When Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar was ruling kingdom of Mysore, his minister Vishalaksha pandit was killed in 1684.When king then invited the Pradhan Govinda Appajayya, who was ageing, he told that his grand son Tirumala Iyengar was not only a vidwan, but also had good political knowledge and is the right person to become the minister. Tirumala Iyengar was 39 then. He served the king for a while as minister and in 1695, with the permission of the king went on a pilgrimage to Srirangam etc., when Mangamma, wife of the then ruling Madurai Nayak welcomed him, gave some villages as gift and asked him to stay there. Accordingly he stayed there for a while. When Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar came to know of it, he ordered Tirumala Iyengar to return immediately. So in 1698 Tirumala Iyengar returned back to Srirangapatna. When Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar was about to die in 1704, he requested Tirumala Iyengar and also the aged Appajayya to look after his son and also the kingdom. Accordingly they coronated the son Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar and looked after the affairs of the kingdom. It appears Tirumala Iyengar died in1706 and a few days later his grand father Appajayya who lived more than 104 years.
    Mantri Tirumala Iyengar and his father Alasingrachar have written many books in Kannada and Sanskrit. Tirumala Iyengar had a title “Ashesha Tantra swatantra”. His brother Vidwan Singlacharyar (1650 -1710) had also written several books including “ Mitrvindananda and “Raghavabhyudaya”. Mantri Tirumala Iyengar had three wives. His family successors became famous, holding high positions as government officials and in judiciary Subsequent rulers Nanjaraja Wodeyar and Krishnaraja Wodeyar of Mysore gave orders that kins of Tirumala Iyengar should be given all temple honours in various temples – such as Srirangapatna, Melukote, Karighatta, Thondanur, and Tirumala Sagara etc.
  28. Vidwan Chinna Kumara Singracharyar– Mantri Tirumala Iyengar brother, and kins of Singracharyar were all highly learned scholars in both Vedic and administartive matters. The above gentleman was born in May 1829 in Melukote and came to Kowshika Gothram on adoption and practiced in Chennai Triplicane Parthasarathy temple on Vedas and as teacher. Puducheri Parthasarathy etc were his devotees. When Yathiraja mutt Jeeyar who fell sick in the northern state of Rewa, he sent for Singracharyar and handed over the Jeeyar position to him. Singracharyar became the Yathiraja mutt Jeeyar on 23-1- 1902. During a tour of Northern states, he came to Ayodhya and at the request of Yogi Parthasarathy, established the Sita Rama temple. Due to aging, he fell sick and came south to Nellur and set up Venugopalaswamy Divya Desam and returned home. He handed over the Ashramam to Damodaram Alasingracharya on 26-11-1907 and attained Lord’s feet at Melukote. For world peace and prosperity he had undertaken six times Chaturmasya.
  29. Periyakumara Singlachar Swamy – This gentleman was born 17-6-1884. After studying Ubhaya Vedanta scriptures, he became a Sanyasin and Jeeyar of Yathiraja mutt. He attained heavenly abode at Melukote. For world peace and prosperity he did Chaturmasam twice.

Kowshika Gothram – Saama Shakha

Pravara : Vishwamitra, Aghamarshana, Kowshika, Trayarsheya Pravaranvita, Kowshika Gotra, Dhrahyayanasutra Sama Shaakhadhyayee.

The Family of Dhatee:
The Ancestors of this family Sri Vidwan Singlachar used to recite Veda and Vedanga in clear and quick succession in the court of Maharaja. Hence the family was honoured Dhaati in recognition of the correct recital of Vedas.

Mudre Srinivasa Iyengar : History not known.

Pustakam Narasimhachar. Very little is known about the predecessors of this name. Narasimhachar was a scholar in Ubhaya Vedanta and also the scholar of Dharmashastra etc. He collected many books on Shastras and stored them in his house. Sri Narasimhachar by his erudiation was always prepared to enter into discussion on shastras and prove his superiority over others. He therefore carried with him a book of references to which he used to refer in his discourses. Hence the name Pustakam family.

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.

Kuttiyappan Narasimhachar had six grand sons. Alasingracharya the first of them had a son Singlacharya who was called Sahukar Singlacharya who is now the officer in Charge of the Mandya Janardhana Temple.

Bhagavatgeetha family Govindaraja Wodeyar had a grand son named Thirunarayanaperumal who had a son named Singlacharya. All these were residents of Melkote. At the time of reciting Manthrapushpa at Thirunarayanaswamy and Cheluvarayaswamy Temples in order, it was the turn of these to recite a shloka from the Bhagavadgeetha. They were also doing Bhagavadgeetha Kalakshepam, and so their family earned the surname of Bhagavadgeetha family.

Anandampillai Srinivasacharya This person belonged to Bharadwaja Gothram Anandampillai family. He was of pious disposition and learned and has written many books. He must have been adopted to the Lohitagothram Rangacharya and yet retained his previous family name. As otherwise there is no reason to find an Anandampillai in the Lohitagothram. His sons were in high posts in Mysore Govt.

Sree Vedanta Ramanuja Jeeyar This great noble person was born in the Lohita gotram family and is original ancestor of the five families noted below. Kandadai Annan called Varadanarayana is one of the famous Ashta Diggajas named by Sri Manavala Mahamuni. His son was Srinivasacharya whose son was Vadhoola Varadacharya and his son was Lakshmana Yogindrar. Vedantha Ramanuja Muni was the desciple of this yogi and studied Rahasyagranthas and other shastras under this Varadacharya. This noble person out of his extreme ascetisism took Sanyasa and occupied the Sri Yatiraja Mutt Peetham. During his peetahipatyam Kings and Commanders and Asthika public have made handsome donations. In the year 1544, the Maharaja of Vijayanagara endowed many charitable services to the temple and placed the entire management of the temple under the Sri Yatirajaswamy and granted all the temple honours first Theertha Prasada to the Swamy. In addition in 1565 the Maharaja endowed many lands and Villages to the Tirupati Devasthanams and arranged first Thirtha and other honours for the Sri Yatirajaswamy in the Thirupati Temple. (SSN 149). The above said Varadacharya died in the year 1526. Vedanti Ramanuja Muni appeared to have been the head of the Sri Yatiraja Mutt Peetham for above 45 years during 1519 to 1565 according to S.S. No. 257-264. He was a great scholar and has written many religious and philosophical books. One of the disciples was Srinivasacharya who founded Ramanuja Agrahara near Melkote about the year 1558 obtaining some lands and villages from the Vijayanagara Kings Sadashiva Maharaja.

Mysore Aji Venkatacharya This person had three sons 1. Ayyana Iyengar 2. Aji Srinivasa Iyengar and 3. Aji Ramanuja Iyengar. Ayyana Iyengar had four sons of whom the third was Narasimhachar who had only one son Venkatacharya who was given in adoption in the Dvyamushyana form to his uncle Aji Ramanuja Iyengar above mentioned. Aji Ramanuja Iyenger has published many books in Kannada in Champu, Kavya, Natak etc. Aji Srinivasa Iyengar’s three sons and their sons held high posts in the state.

Mandya Aji Srinivasa Iyengar

Bhavani Singra Iyengar

Munshi Thirunarayana Iyengar This person was a Munshi in Sri Rangapattana. His two grand sons Sri Doreswami Iyengar and Gopalaswami Iyengar were advocates. Munshi Tirunarayana Iyengar’s second brother Appachar’s (Appaiah charya) grand son Srinivasa Iyengar (Singra Iyengar) was an Ayurvedic Pandit. The familes 4 & 5 are known as Appachar family
Chatrapati family : Sri Narasimhachar. Members of the family were originally residing in Malur then in Srirangapatna and then came over to reside in Mysore. It is not clear weather
they were in management of a chatram under the control of Devan Purnaiah or they were doing chatri Kainkaryam during the tsavam of the Gods in Malur or Srirangapatnam on account of which they were called Chatrapati family.

Komandoor Ilayavilli 1. Rangachar 2. Thirumalacharyar One of the 74 peethadhipathy’s named by Sri Ramanujacharya appears to be a Komandur Ilayavilli. More details not available.

Chokkamaman Singra Iyengar This person is also of Komandoor Ilayavilli family.

Karighattam Srinivasa Iyengar – Members of this family were doing and services in the Temple of Srinivasa on the Karighatta enjoying Tirtha prasada etc., honours also there. and hence their family was called Karighatta family.

Dhanayaka Singlachar – This person and his son Thimmanna Dhanayaka might have been Dandanayakas some time about 1750 to 1850. It is not clear under which Maharaja or Palayagar as there were no Palayagars after 1800 A.D. More definite particulars are not available.

Srivatsa Gothram

Pravara : Bhargava, Chavyana, Aplavana, Ourva, Jamadganya, Pancharsheya, Pravarvanvita, Srivatsa Gothra, Apastambha sutra, Yajushakhadyayee.

Sreevatsa gothram family could be divided into three groups :
1. Prativadi Bhayankaram 2. Chakrvarthi 3. Freeline age Prativadi Bhayankaram Originators of this family descend from Mudumbe-nambi. Prativadi Bhayankaram Anna was born in the year plava, 1362 A.D. He was the second son of Mudumbe Anantacharya and his wife Andal. His name, in his younger days, was Hastigirinatha Annan. He became a disciple of Sri Nayanaracharya, son of the great Vedantacharya. Anna won a debate on Vedanta with a famous advaita Vidwan Narasimha Misra. Pleased with this performance Nayanaracharya conferred a title “Prativadi Bhayankaram” on Hastagirinatha and bequeathed al his property to the
latter. Narasimha Misra became a disciple of Anna and later became famous as Hayagreevadasa. (Karigirivarada dasa). Prativadi Bhyankaram and his wife Perumdevi had three sons when they were living in Kanchipuram.

Veera Narasimharaya, the kind of Andhra Desa, became a disciple of Anna. Anna had settled for sometime at Thirumala in service of Lord Srinivasa. Here he heard about the greatness of Manavala Mahamuni of Srirangam. He desired to meet him. Manavala Mahamuni also felt like meeting. Anna then sent an invitation accordingly. Thus began a life long Guru-shishya relationship between the two. Together they participated in Bhagavad vishayam discussions and kalakshepams. Manavala Mahamuni inspired Anna to write several hymns. The suprabhata, prapatti written by Anna won a debate with a famous North Indian Vidwan Sarvagna Misra. Anna assigned his first son Sreenivasachar to the service of the Lord at Tirupati and his second son Anantachar to Lord Varadaraja at Kanchi. Later, he lived at Srirangam with Manvala Mahamuni until the death of the latter. Later he went again on a pilgrimage and ordered his third son Alahiyamanavala Perumal to the service of Lord Shelvapillai at Thirunarayanapuram and returned to Srirangam. He died in the year 1454 A.D. at his ninety second year. He wrote several books and essays. Anna was one of the eight persons who were bequeathed with the responsibility of propagating Sri Ramanuja Siddhanta by Sri Manavala Mahamuni. The genealogy of the Prativadi Bhayankaram Mandayam Community is given in the chart. Persons of this gotra to whatever region of Bhratavarsha they may belong are called Chakravarthis. Chakravarthi is a special title given to persons of Srivatsa Gotra.

Details of some families of this gothra.
Ishami Singra Iyengar’s grandson, Ishami Srinivasa Iyengar. All persons belonging to this family line have been permanent residents of Tirunarayanapuram and devoted to the Gods and Godly men. The word Ishami ma be a term of endearment or to indicate their efficiency. That itself became their family name. Ishami Srinivasa Iyengar has done meritorious personal service by constructing good roads to all the pushkarinis around Melkote by his own personal effort. He has similarly built many stone mantapas around Melkote. He was indeed a superhuman architect.

Bramahavadin and Bidhatti families:

Of late these families migrated to Madras. Narasimhacharyar’s son Alasinglacharyar was a great scholar and an ardent devotee of Hindu culture. He started a journal named Bramaavadin to spread philosophic truths among the common people. The same became the name to recognise their family and descendents. The Mysore Palace like all palaces contained halls for various activities etc., like the Kalyana Mantap, Dining Hall, Council Hall, Zanana, Armoury, Darbar Hall, and officers to look after these places. Likewise there was the birth and death suites and officials in charge of those laces. One of these officials in charge of the mortuary or the fallen bodies called the Biddhatti was Sri Ramaswamy, son of Sri Tirunarayanapperumal. That itself became their family name.

Periyaswami Tirumalacharya was a noted Ubhayavedanta Vidwan and of noble character. He was the first to start a school for Sanskrit learning named Sadvidya Patasala. He is the author of many Sanskrit treatises.

Nataka Rangacharya: He was the firt to start a Dramatic Association and in which he encouraged many Mandayam Community people to act and gave training in acting. His family and descendents therefore came to be known as Atada Rangachar family.

Paramekanthi : The ancestors of this family were Ubhayavedanta Vidwans and noted for their disciplined way of life and high ideals. For this perhaps their family came to be called Paramekanthi – that is persons wedded to the highest goal only.

Ghante Tirumalachariar: There were many Asthana Vidwans among us in the Mysore Palace. One of them, Vidwan Tirumalachariar earned great fame as a poet and scholar and was recognised by the Maharaja. As a mark of his greatness the Maharaja was pleased to honour him with a Lion-face marked gold Thoda to which a bell-ghanta was attached. From then on, that family came to be recognised as Ghanta family.

Mudumbe family : Details about the early ancestors of this family is not known well. Mudumbe is the name of a village. Alasinglacharya brother of (our community) Tippani Singlacharya was given in adoption to the Mudumbe family. Thereafter a girl of the Mandayam community was given in marriage to him. Thereafter the family also must have becme one of the Mandayam families.
Nallan Chakravarthy : The early ancestor of this family was Sri Varadachariar who had sought refuge under the great Sriman Nathamuni. He was a Vedanta Vidwan and resident of Srirangam. One of the descendents Sri Achan was a resident of Kanchipuram. One day when he was taking his both in the Vedavathi river, a corpse with Srivaishnava marks of Urdhva-Pundra, Tulasi and Kamalamani garlands was floating down the river. As he remembered that performing due obsequies to a neglected corpse gives the same religious merit as performing a Koti yagnas, he duly performed the last rites of a Srivaishnava to that corpse. On this account the residents of the locality who did not approve of this treated him as an outcaste. But Varadarajaswami the Lord of Knchi approved of his noble act saying:Nattukku Pollan, Namakku Nallan, he may be unwarranted by the land, but he is good in my view and blessed him with temle honours. From then on Archan and his descendents are called as Nallan Chakravarthys.

Damodaram family

Ghante family : As already mentioned, the Palace honoured Vidwan Tirumalachariar with a gold Bangle Thoda with a Lion face mark to which a bell – Ghanti was attached. Hence their descendents began to be called ghanti family in course of time.

Shandilya Gothram

Pravara : Kasyapa, Avathsara, Shandilya, Trayarsheya, Pravaranvita Shandilyagothra, Apasthambha Sutra, Yajushakhadhyayee.

The ancestors of this family the third or fourth generation back Sri Bharathi Tirunarayana Iyengar and his brother Sri Singlachar were in service in the court of Sri Krishnaraja Odeyar and corresponding with Pradhan Tirumala Rao for the welfare of the Maharaja and the kingdom of Mysore.

They were reading Bharata to the Maharaja so they are identified as Bharati family. The descendents Bharati Narasimhachar and his father were delivering about Bharata at Melkote and other places. Sri Narasimhachar was worshipping Sri Sudarshanalwar in the Sri Narayana Swamy Temple and also was reading verses from Ramayana there. Besides at the time of worshipping he was playing on the Veena and reciting Kannada verses from Ramayana. Agama Shastra has laid down that verses in the local languages about the Almighty may also be recited at the time
of worship.

Vadhoola Gothram

Pravara : Bhargava, Veetahavya, Savedasa, Trayarsheya, Pravaranvita, Vadhoolagothra, Apastambha Sutra, Yajushaakhadhyayee.

Family History, Origin Households 1. Koottadi 2. Kope 3. Giddayyan 4. Chothikolam 5.Pashal 6. Burudu, 7. Madakehuli 8. Gramani 9. Veene.

All the above mentioned households belong to the Krishnakumar family in the lineage of Sri Ramanuja’s disciple Mudaliyandan. One Peria Thevapperumal was a court scholar in the palace of Vijayanagar Kings. One of his ancestors lived under the patronage of a Kunigal King. We have no idea of his times. Lord Krishna is the worshiping diety in these household. By the grace of this Lord Krishna a baby boy was born with all auspicious features. That boy was named Krishna Kumar. He later composed Vartamala. This person was the originator of many a families of Vadhoola gotra in Mandayam Community. Hence all these families came to be known by the name Krishna Kumar. But as the families multiplied it was difficult to distinguish separate families and so Surnames were added to the family name Krishna Kumar to recognise the distinction. The fore-mentioned surnames thus began to be the recognising names of the respective households. Normally these Surnames were initiated by kings and men of high authority. Presently the Kalakuppam family has not been located anywhere. The members of the other households who lived in different Agraharams (lands gifted by kings to Brahmin court scholars) migrated to Melukote in course of time. Though the members of the aforesaid Gramani household belong to Vadhoola Gothra they do not call themselves as Krishna Kumar. The reason for this is not known. (The main point to be noted is that the Pravara is not the same for all households). It is better to confirm about the difference in the Pravara and clarify the doubts from the elders. No one should doubt the correctness of his own Pravara and simply copy the pravara of another. It is to be noted that the pravaras differ owing to the differences in the combination of the Rishies.

Normally all the members of these nine households were established in right cousness, quickly irritable, efficient, disciplined and of orthodox habits. Many were well versed in the study of Vedas, astrology, the Laws of Dharma and efficient administrators under the kings.

Specialities of the house holds:

Burudu Family : Burudu is a device to cure heart ailment in the science of Ayurveda. The predecessors of this family might have been Ayurveda Padnits which resulted in the family being recognised by the name of Burudu family.

Koothadi – During spring festivals and gandhapudi festivals and other entertaining festivals it is usual to spray each other with coloured Vasantha waters. This is called festival sports entertainment. This was one form of Sri Krishna’s rasakreeda. The predecessors of this Koothadi household must have played a key part in festivals. Presumably this fact might have led them to be recognised by the name. Kuthu means various styles of dancing. AADI Means playing or dancing. It has also been reported that the members of this family were experts in various fine arts concerning the manufacture of chamara, fans, Namam, boxes etc, for air conditining services of the Lord. Some of this family members were musicians, others served the devotees, others were scholars in literature and vedantha. In the linage Sri Vidwan Thiruvenkatacharya, son of Sri Narasimhacharya took charge of Sri Yathiraja Mutt and was the Peethadhipathi during 1944-1954. This Jeer conducted ten Chaturmasya Vrathams for the welfare of the Universe.
Giddayyan – One of the predecessors of this family was somewhat dwarfish in stature and was a learned scholar. Hence the name to recognise that family. This family receives honours in the Temple of Srirangapatna.

Chothikolam – In Melukote there are eight sacred ponds (Pushkarini) and many other ponds. The responsibility of keeping them and their surroundings clean, clear and growing Sri Tulasi plants all around the ponds and supplying it for Temple worship lay with the members of this family. For that reason they are honoured specially in the Temles. They had jobs in the temple like going round lakes daily, Vimana pradakshina, Kalyani pradakshina etc. For this regular job i.e. Tulasikolam or Chutti going round Kolams-ponds. That family came to be recognised Chootikolam family in due course. The daughter in law of Thirumalachar of the family viz. Singamma (Sri Devi) was blessed with the knowledge of Vedantha by the unexpected grace of God and she has written many books relating to our religious tradition.

Pashal Venkatachar. Pashal Family – One predecessors of this family must have demonstrated the difficulty of appearing a crying child. The report in fact that he demanded that a sugarcane be chopped into two and after the stick was chopped, he cried that the pieces be joined back into one which being impossible, he kept on crying. He must have been given the title of pashal or child (mischievous tendency like child) for winning a challenge. Another explanation for this name is that they were clear hearted and innocent as child.

Madakehuli : Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar had arrived at Melkote. Being desirous of taking lunch in the house of a Srivaishnava, he entered house of a Srivaishnava and demanded a lunch. The poor residents of the house served him lunch with fear and respect. Food was prepared in an earthern pot. The vegetable soup was very tasty. The Maharaja demanded to see vessel in which the soup was prepared and the house owner showed the pot with hesitation. The Maharaj appreciating the soup prepared in the mud pot, described its taste to all people around. As a result of this their family was given a surname of Madakehuli. But this incident did not occur in the Vadhoola Gothram Family. This incident occured in the Malur Bharadwaja Gothram Thirumalachar family. The descendent of Madakehuly family Sri Alasingrachar wa given adoption to Vadhoola Gothram. Still he maintained the previous Madakehuli surname.

Vasishta Gothram

Pravara : Vaasishta, Maithravaruna, Kowndinya, Thrayashreya, Pravaranvita, Vasishta Gothraha, Apasthambha Sutraha, Yajushaakhadhyayi.

Bidumanayam Krishna Ayyangar-Sri Narsimhacharayar of this family was a resident of Melukote, His family used to perform the daily ritual and worship of Lord Tirunarayana whenever the daily Pooja performers were absent and hence got the name Bidumanaya, (Bidu + Manyeya in Kannada).