Mandradis (shepherd community)

Mandradis are cowherds (Shepherd community) who constituted another social group. They were traditionally the worshippers of Lord Krishna, but they rendered services to both Siva and Vishnu temples. They played an important role in rural economy. They were usually put in charge of the cattle donated to the temples and were made to supply Panchakavya articles such as milk, curd, ghee and urine of the cow for abishekam and other milk products used in temples for cooking and for daily pujas. They were also in charge of cleaning the temple periodically. They were usually known by other names like Konars, Ayars etc.^[1]

There are inscriptions which referred to Mandradi. They maintained the cattle donated to the temple and agreed to supply ullaku of ghee for burning a perpetual lamp.^[2] One lithic record registered the gift of 96 sheep for perpetual lamp to deity Mulasthanattu-Mahadeva of Vagur by karaiudai(yan) kaliyanManradi Aiyyan Alias Achara–Kantappalla (va)raiyan of Nerumur-Nadu in Chembur-kottam. The mandradi also gifted one nilai-vilakku (standing lamp)^[3] and another inscription from Thiruvannamalai mentioned a lamp donation by Vanan Vanikandan donated lamp through the Thiruvanathu Mandradis to God.^[4] Another lithic record also mentioned the similar act of caring the gift of sheep.^[5] They acted as mediator between god and donor and some other lithic records mentioned that Mandradis after receiving sheep, they prepared and provided ullaku of ghee daily^[6] and in some other instances, they provided ghee after receiving gift of gold.^[7] A r lithic record viewed that a Mandradi Ayalanji Maran received 45 sheep agreeing to measure out for the scared lamp three nali and three Alakku of ghee for one month at one Alakku every day.^[8] Yet another undated inscription mentions the term Adu Mandradis such as Brahnan, kuttaran, Gangan accepted to measure out the ghee for the scared lamp. The lithic record referred the term ‘Konan’ as a group of Mandradis.^[9]