WARRIERS OF KERALA
Variers belong to the Ambalvasis of the Hindu religion. Traditionally they usually live around temples in Kerala. Many of them used to depend on various jobs in temples for their livelihood. These include arranging for flowers for the daily poojas, making malas(garlands) for the deities of the temple, cleaning of the temple premises, cleaning of the lamps and other utensils etc. In return they will be entitled to receive a part of the Naivedyam, Payasam etc. and also some money in some cases.
However, with the advent of time, Variers started going for other jobs. Although, originally confined to the state of Kerala, slowly they started to move out, usually in search of job. Presently, although a small community, Variers are spread all over the world.
Among the variers, there have been many eminent personalities.
Legend has it that long before the ocean was churned by the gods and the asuras to convert it into nectar, Lord Shiva was once accosted by some rakshasas. He was alone. To overcome the rakshasas, he pulled out a few of his ribs and created an army to assist him. These were the WARI-JANS. We are the descendents of the Warijans ( the name obviously got corrupted with passage of time) Thus we are Shaivites. We also are Kshatriyas. The Warijans followed the Lord into his abode and continued to serve him. Thus we are Ambalavasis.
The Warrier community has
its origin from the days of Adi Sankaracharya at around 800 AD at Kaladi,
on the banks of the Periyar river. As Sankara has taken up sanyasa and
had renounced the worldly activities, he took the help of Kailasanatah,
a family friend of Sankara, to perform the funeral rites and rituals after
the death of Sankara's mother. These actions of Kailasanatha infuriated
the Nambudiri community who outcast Kailasanatha and his family from the
community. Sankara, later, when he established the temples, authorised
Kailasanatha and his family to maintain the temple