Jangam

The Jangam or Jangama are a Shaivite order of wandering religious monks. They are the priests or gurus of the Shaivite sect of Lingāyats.[1]

History

They migrated from Karnataka and from Andra Pradesh in order to propagate the Shaivaite cult and to act as priests for those who do not avail the services of Brahmans 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 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