Telugu Brahmin

[3][4][5] The Apastamba Dharmasutra is posited to have been composed in the region of modern-day Andhra Pradesh between the Godavari and Krishna rivers, but this is not certain.

[10] Kalhana, in his Rajatarangini (c. 12th century CE), classifies five Brahmin communities as Pancha Dravida, noting that they reside south of the Vindhya Range.

[11][12] These communities are traditionally listed as: Telugu Brahmins are categorized into various groups based on factors such as occupation, denomination, region, and other cultural distinctions.

[4] Several Telugu Brahmin subgroups (who are predominantly smartas), such as Velanāḍu, Mulakanāḍu, and Vēgināḍu, derive their names from specific geographical regions.

The Nandavārikulu, who are exclusively Rig Vedic, worship Chaudēswari, the goddess of the Devānga community, as their patron deity.

These family names often reference elements from nature or daily life, such as Kōta (fort), Lanka (island), Puchcha (Citrullus colocynthis), Chintha (Tamarindus indica), and Kāki (Corvus levaillantii).

Among the Niyōgi Brahmins, house names often end with the word raju or razu, reflecting a connection to aristocratic or landowning traditions.

[32] Telugu Brahmin wedding rituals differ significantly from others, though initial preparations like pelli choopulu (match-making), nischaya tambulaalu (nischitartham or nngagement), and eduru sannaham are similar.

In this playful ritual, the groom, dressed as a renunciant with an umbrella and wooden sandals, declares his intent to forsake worldly life for sannyasa (sainthood).

[43] As per the 1931 census, Brahmins were about three percent in the region constituting present-day Andhra Pradesh (then part of Madras State).