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The Shettigar community is primarily a weaver community found in coastal Karnataka, the northern coast of Kerala, Mumbai, and other regions. Shettigars are also known as Padmashali.

History
During the reign of a subordinate king in Barkur, there was a requirement for garments for the priests in the temples, which were being imported from Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, the king approached the weavers from the Tamil Nadu kingdom, known as Padmashalis, and invited them to relocate to Barkur to cater to the cloth needs. The Padmashalis were granted the Brahmlingshwara temple, which was directly overseen and venerated by the king, along with the land outside the city of Barkur, now known as Salikeri Village. This area came to be known as Padmashali Keri and was eventually renamed Salikeri. Since that time, the Padmashalis have been weaving fabrics as per the demands of the Barkur king. The homeland of the Padmashalis is in the state of Andhra Pradesh, where Telugu is spoken. One subgroup of this community, about 1400 years ago, migrated from the banks of the Krishna River near Amaravati and settled in the city of Kanchipuram. It is known that they established their livelihood there by engaging in the production of silk sarees.

Epigraph
Inside the Sri Brahmlinga Veerabhadra Durgaparameshwari Temple in Barkur, there is an epigraph. The historians who thoroughly examined this temple's inscription, has recorded the following details: "On the auspicious day of Magha Bahula Panchami in the year 1255 of the Shaka era, during the reign of King Veeraballala Deva of the Hoysala dynasty, a record was inscribed in front of Chikkayi, the mother of Queen Piriyarasi, in the presence of Mahapradhana Naijapadannayaka Ajamna Sai, and others, at the Veereshwara temple." This inscription, now housed in the state's archaeological museum, has been deciphered by scholars in the past. However, it's worth noting that the year 1255 of the Shaka era corresponds to 1333 CE, and subsequent portions of the writing have become challenging to decipher.

Origin
The homeland of the Padmashalis is in Andhra Pradesh, where Telugu is spoken. Due to historical reasons, one group of Padmashalis migrated from Amaravati, situated on the banks of the Krishna River, approximately 1400 years ago, to the city of Kanchipuram. They settled there and established their livelihood in the production of silk sarees. The research revealed that there were about 4,000 Padmashali families, with 101 households holding a position of prominence. During the time of the Padmashali families in Kanchipuram, there was a problem with two prominent households, and they resolved this problem by worshiping the goddess "Kaalidevi" in the city. Their descendants now reside in Kanchipuram, Chennai, and Bangalore. Every second Sunday of Ashada month, they gather in Kanchipuram for the worship of their ancestral deity, known as "Karukkinil Amranthval Amma" in Tamil, and they refer to her as Goddess Kali Devi. The Padmashalis, who had settled in Salikeri and were previously worshiping deities in Kanchipuram, constructed a temple for the deities they had been venerating nearby their current residence. This temple is known as "Kumara Chavadi" and is located in today's Salikeri. In the Sri Brahmalingeshwara Temple, a significant event reminiscent of the Daksha Yagna took place among the Padmashali community, facilitated by the king. During this event, Lord Brahmalingeshwara is said to have manifested Himself directly and revealed as "Veerabhadra Avatar." Subsequently, as per the king's advice, the idol of Lord Brahmalingeshwara was installed within the same shrine, and alongside it, the deity of Lord Veerabhadra was also installed. This deity is known as "Sri Brahmalinga Veerabhadra" and is worshiped to this day. The festival idols and valuable items from Barkur's temple were indeed brought to Padmashalikeri for security reasons. Over time, the Padmashalis began to worship these idols at Padmahalikeri. As a result, the administration of Barkur was gradually relinquished. It seems that individuals with a strong connection to the family deity were primarily from Padmashalikeri. However, in Barkur, there were relatively few Padmashali households, and many of them were facing financial difficulties. Those who had settled far away from Barkur were unable to take on administrative responsibilities in Barkur. This is why the Padmashalis who were already living in Barkur had to step in and assume these roles. With the festival idols and valuable items relocated to Padmashalikeri, worship in Barkur continued without these key elements. It's worth highlighting that in some years, the annual temple festival in Barkur had to be temporarily suspended due to financial constraints. During these challenging times, devotees would often step forward and personally contribute the required funds to ensure the festival's continuation.

The devotees of Barkur, who had a strong desire to keep their family deities with them, installed and worshipped these family deities in Padmashalikeri. However, certain rituals and services, such as the Kola ceremony, associated with these deities, doesnt take place in Barkur.

Present
The Shettigar community has gradually transitioned away from their traditional profession of weaving. A significant portion of their population now resides in Coastal Karnataka and the northern coast of Kerala. After India gained independence, Shettigars began migrating to cities like Bangalore and Mumbai to enter the hotel business. This community has contributed numerous distinguished individuals, including doctors, engineers, economists, politicians, administrators, and more, to society.

Numerous organizations were established within the community by educated individuals with the aim of uplifting the poorer sections through financial and educational assistance. Some notable organizations include:

1. DK Jilla Padmashali Mahasabha(R.). 2. Padmashali Vidyavardhaka Sangha.

DK Jilla Padmashali Mahasabha (Registered) was founded in the year 1946, and it celebrated its Platinum Jubilee in 2021. This signifies seventy-five years of its existence and service to the community.

The Padmashali Vidyavardhaka Sangha has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of numerous students by providing them with educational support and opportunities.