Nadans (also referred as Nelamaikkarar) are a small endogamous group of aristocratic Nadars from the regions south of the Thamirabarani River in the present-day state of Tamil Nadu, India.
The Nadan women followed strict gosha, revealing themselves only to the men of their own household, and rode in covered palanquins.
The oldest and highest Nadans were the Adityans of Kayamozhi, who claimed they were the descendants of Surya, the sun god.
[2][3] Despite their great wealth and power the Nadans, however, were considered as a portion of the greater class of Nadars and were denied entrance into temples built by higher castes.
[4][5][page needed] The Nadans would not enter Hindu temples built by higher castes until the issue was solved through campaigning movements and legislation.
The Nadar converts came neither from the lowest sections (Kalla Shanar) of the castes nor from the highest (Nadans), but from the middle subgroups and particularly the climbers.