Maniyani (caste)

The Maniyani Nair (also known as Kolaya, Ayar, Konar, Iruman, Urali Nair in different area) is a nair sub-caste and Malayalam speaking Yadava community, native to Kerala state of South India. They are mainly distributed in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. Their traditional occupation is tending cattle and cultivation. They keep the Nair surname.

Origin
The Maniyanis are believed to have come from the ancient Yadava clan and associate themselves closely with the god Krishna. It is believed that from Gokarnam, a group of those who set out for various parts of India, reached the Kolat land and the Tulu land via Mangalore.

Social life
The majority of the Maniyanis are concentrated in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. They follow similar birth, marriage & death customs and rituals like other Nair sub-castes. Even though they practice endogamy, they do sometimes intermarry with other castes like Nambiar, Payyanur Poduval, Nair, and Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs.

Kannangattu bhagavathi is the tutelary deity of Maniyanis. Kannangattu bhagavathi has permanent place in every Muchilot Bhagavathi temple since Maniyanis have special brotherly relationship with Vaniya-Vattakad Nairs. Maniyanis also perform Poorakkali in Muchilot bhagavathi temples.