Nambeesan

Nambeesan (also written as Nambisan, Nambissan, Nambiyassan, Nambeessan or Nampeesan; Sanskrit: नम्पीशन्) is a Brahmincaste of Kerala. They carry the surnames "Nambeesan" and "Nambiyaasan".

Customs

Most Nambeesans belong to the sacred thread wearing Pushpaka Brahmin community; while the some Nambeesans (Nambi-aasans) are a subsect of the Namboothiri community. They follow Srauta customs unique to the Kerala Brahmin community. However, some subgroups who have served as Santhikkar in temples of Kovilahams (houses of Varma/Nair aristocrats) follow a mixture of Srauta and Smartha customs. Such subgroups usually follow Saktha or Shaiva rituals. The Pushpakas took up the job of making flower garlands at temples where the Namboothiris were Santhikkar. (priests) They were allowed in the Sreekovil (Garbhagriham) of temples along with the Muthathus (Sivadvijas) and Namboothiris; but were not allowed to become Santhikkar in those temples that were run by Namboothiris. Their wives are called Brahmaniyammas and wear the unique Pushpaka thali unique to their community by following the kantha suthram tradition wherein the father of the bride ties the thali. They wear only a single upaveetham like all other Kerala Brahmins (Namboothris, Sivadvijas, Pushpaka Unnis, Nambeesans,Pottis) even after marriage (veli) and Seemantham.

Brahmanippattu

The women of the Nambeesan caste, known as Brahmani Ammas, are entitled to perform Brahmanippattu, a type of domestic devotional offering performed usually in connection with marriages. These are conducted almost everyday in certain temples of kerala

Notable people

Remya Nambeesan, Actress and Singer

See also

References
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