24 Manai Telugu Chetty

as well as Telugu Chetty, 24 Mana Chetty and Sadhu Chetty. There are many synonyms to our caste which are used by our people with variations in spellings; and also called by Janapan, Sanafar, Saluppan, Goniga, Janappa Chetty, Saluppa Chetty and Telugupatty Chety etc. Our caste/community consists of 24 houses (Manai/kulam/veedu) divided into two divisions of 16 houses and 8 houses. 16 houses are called Shiva Gotra and male house. 8 houses are called Vishnu Gotra and female house. Alliances are performed among two divisions only. Marriage is forbidden between the members of same division. Telugu is our mother tongue. The members of our community are still follows traditional occupations, olden culture, religious and rituals in the various occasions of our life. Our general Kuladeivam is Goddess Kamatchi Amman at Kancheepuram (TN). The members of every kulam worship their own God/Goddess.