THENKALAI IYENGAR TILAK

THENKALAI IYENGAR TILAK

Thenkalai Iyengars are the followers of Sri Vaishnavism and follow the Tamil Prabandhams and asserts primacy to rituals in Tamil language. They are the followers of Ramanuja, Pillailokacharya and Manavala Mamuni. According to genetic studies, the Thenkalai gene frequencies are distinctly different from that of the Vadakalais. The Thenkalais reject the caste system. The sect seems to be liberal in its outlook and so shapes the doctrine of the system as to make them applicable to non-Brahmin castes. Traditionally, Thenkalais accept Prapatti as the only means to attain salvation. The various Thenkalai monasteries are – Vanamamalai Mutt and Sriperumpudur Mutt in Kanchipuram district and Tirukkoilur Mutt in Viluppuram district. In the tilak of Thenkalai the white lines flourishes down and touches the upper portion of the nose in between eyebrows.