Jangam
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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]
Contents
History
They migrated from Karnataka and from Andhra 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, Trichy and Chennai (Madras) districts.[2]
The word jangam is derived from the movable emblem (linga) of Lord Shiva. It is also called the swamy.
