Padmasali (also spelt as Padmashali, Padmasale) is a Hindu caste residing in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. In coastal Karnataka they called Shettigar. Their traditional occupation is weaving.
Etymology
The term Padmasali is derived from two words Padma and Sali, The Padma means lotus and Sali means weaver. The word Padma referring to the myth of the thread was a lotus which sprang from the navel of Vishnu.
History
The Padmasalis are part of the wider community of Telugu weavers, who are known as "Sale" or "Saliya". Historically, they were also referred to by other castes as "Julai".
The Padmasalis follow their historical origins and Puranas such as Kulapurana and Markandeya Purana.
The Padmasalis and the Devangas, who are another caste of weavers, were originally a single caste in ancient times and followed Vaishnavism. The caste then split due to differences in faith, with the Devangas being influenced by Lingayatism and accepting Chamundeswari, the fierce form of Durga as their kuladevi. The Padmasalis maintained their belief in Vaishnavism. The Padmasalis eventually specialised in weaving clothes of all varieties.
The Padmasalis are of Brahmin status. As per mythology,the sage Markandeya performed a sacrifice and out of the sacrifice came Bhavana rishi, who married two daughters of the sun god Surya and had 101 sons. The Padmasalis are descendants of these 101 sons .The 101 children correspond to the 101 gotras of the Padmasalis.
Members of the Padmasali community migrated into Tamil-speaking regions from Andhra Pradesh. Their descendants continue to speak Telugu at home. After migration, the Padmasalis lived in Saliya Teru (weavers' street) specially assigned to them by royal patrons in the temple town of Kanchipuram. Major silk retail houses like Nalli is owned by Padmasali families.
Present
The Padmasalis are further divided into two groups based on Sampradaya, being the Shaivas and the Vaishnavas. While the Shaivas give preference to worshipping Shiva, the Vaishnavas give preference to worship of Vishnu. These religious and occupational distinctions are no bar to interdining and intermarriage. They worship local goddesses such as Chamundeswari and Yellamma. The latter is traditionally considered to be the mother of Parasurama and is identified with Renuka. The Padmasalis wear the sacred thread., however this practice has declined in recent years, along with desires of Sanskritisation and high caste status.