Kannada Vaishya

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The Kannada Vaishya in Uttara Kannada are a small sect of people. They are mainly found in Ankola and Karwar taluks of the district.

They say that their ancestors came from Goa. They are different from Arya Vaishyas of Mysore area. Some are engaged in small business like preparation of beaten rice, its sale, etc. Many of them are agriculturists. Some are engaged in hotel business. Their mother tongue is Kannada. They worship Mahalsa, Arya Durga, Mahalakshmi and Ramanatha. They revere Banta Deva of Amdalli of Karwar raluk. The dead are cremated. Divorce and widow marriages are not prevalent among them.