We are a Hindu Brahmin caste of Tamil origin. We follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy promulgated by Sri Ramanujacharya. Members of our brethren are found mostly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu but also in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Sri Ramanujacharya's teachings based on the Brahma Sutra gives an interpretation of the Upanishads and the Gita in a unique way. His teachings have guided us from the beginning of time and still guides our community.

The suffix "Ayyangar", like Ayyar, has a Sanskrit origin. Both are derived from "Arya", a form of respectful address reserved in ancient days for Brahmanas "Arya" becoming "Ajja" in Prakrit and then "Ayya" in Dravidian (Tamil, Kannada and Telugu).

We are classified based on our gotras, or patrilineal descent.We sport a namam (Thiruman+Srichurnam) as a caste-mark as well as our way of showing undoubted devotion to Lord Vishnu. The namam drawn is representative of the feet of Sri Narayana with Lakshmi in the middle.

Contribution to the world of philosophy, religious lore, literature, art, science, social reform, and politics by the members of our community is notable. Many from our brethren have occupied leading positions in several walks of life.

A typical Iyengar wedding are made up of the following events: Vethalaipakku, Pandalkal, Janwaasam, Nischayathartham, Nandi or Vratham, Kashiyathrai, Oonjal, Piddishuttal, Kanyadaanam, Mangalaya Dharanam, Akshathai, Homam, Saptapadi, Nagoli, Vasthra, Gruhapravesham, Sambandhi Virandhu,Reception and Nalangu.

Did you know?

• Urdhva Pundra (Thiruman+Srichurnam) which is a Churnam, dark orange in colour is made of special traditional biological components that are meant to have positive scientific and spiritual impact on the 'Agna chakra' (at the temple on the forehead).
• A ceremony unique only for the Vaishnavite Brahmin brotherhood is the Upanayanam.
• The Alvars have composed 4000 hymns.
• The most prolific composer among the Alvars was Nammalvar who was born in a Sudra family at Kurukur, now Alvar Tirunagari in the Tirunelvelli district.
• The Tengalai (southern sect) and the Vadagalai (northern sect) members can be identified by the distinctive mark of each sect which is worn on the forehead.