Saiva Vellalar
Saiva Vellalar is a Tamil community in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the country of Sri Lanka. Saiva Vellalars often use the title of Mudaliar in the northern part of the state and Pillai in the southern part, thus giving rise to the alternate names of Saiva Mudaliars and Saiva Pillais
Saiva Vellalar (otherwise known as Thondaimandala Saiva Vellalar or Thondaimandala Mudliar) is a Forward caste and vegetarian community in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.These people are often considered as Shiavate, who worship Lord Shiva. They trace their lineage to Sekkizhar, the author of the Periyapuranam. They are the original homogeneous group of Mudliars who were settled in Thondaimandalam (otherwise known as Thondai Nadu) in South India by Chola King, Karikala Chola. The legendary great king "Karikal-cholan" of "Chola- dynasty" had two sons. He divided his kingdom into two and gave the northern part including "Kanchipuram"region to second son named "Aathondai Chakravarthi". This region has come to be called as "Thondai-mandalam", named after the founder-emperor. Aathondai chakravarthy has divided his kingdom into 24 divisions (kottams) and appointed members from ‘Saiva-velalars" community as "rulers" of these regions or "kottams", under his empire. They were emerging as 'Landlords' during the time of British rule.