Dikshitar

Dikshitar

Dīkshitars (Tamil: தீக்ஷிதர்) or Thillai Vazh Anthaanar (Tamil: தில்லை வாழ் அந்தணர்) are a brahmin servitor community of Tamil Nadu who are based mainly in the town of Chidambaram. According to sthalapuranam or historical document of chidambaram, have descended from three thousands sages who were performing tapas in kailasam, lord siva's abode. They wear their kudumi(tuft) on head top with a tilt . They are counted among the sixty three saivite nayanmar saints and sundarar starts his tiruthondar thokai or a listing of servitors of lord sivan by referring to the three thousand servitor priests at chidambaram temple or dikshitars.They generally do not take up material professions other than temple service. Apart from lord siva they do not have any worldly existence. The surname "Dikshitar" is also prevalent among other servitors with ritual qualifications.