Devanga and Saligar Weavers

Weaving communities tracing descent from Sage Markanda, who relocated from Andhra Pradesh to Kanchipuram; historically credited with establishing Kanjeevaram silk weaving there.

Tradition holds that the Devanga and Saligar communities came to Kanchipuram from Andhra Pradesh at the invitation of King Raja Raja Chola, bringing weaving skills that combined with the town's temple architecture and motifs to produce the Kanjeevaram tradition.¶