The Ayyars belong to the largest Brahmin community of South India. Tamil Nadu is their home state though there is a large number in Kerala as well. They are mostly engaged in administration. Slow to change, the Ayyars still cherish their age old Brahminical customs and practices. This community has made a great contribution to the literary and cultural heritage of the South.

Ayyar is the plural form of `Ayya` which evolved from `Arya`. These days, however, the members of this sect have begun to give up the caste name of Ayyar. Earlier, a typical Ayyar name had four constituents: the name of the birth place or place of origin of the family; the initial letter of the father`s name; the "given" name, and the caste name.

The Ayyars like other Brahmins, may follow any of the 3 Vedas - Rig, Yajur or Sama. The followers of the three Vedas are regarded as equals and can intermarry, the wife adopting the Veda of the husband. There are a number of gotras into which all Brahmins are divided, such as those of Atri, Bhrigu, Rutsa, Vasishtha, Gautama, Kasyapa, Bharadwaja, Kaundinya and Angirasa. In their ceremonial rites they are guided either by the laws (sutras) laid down by Apastamba or Bodhayana.

When he performs his sandhya or salutes an elder, an Ayyar mentions his lineage or gotra and his law giver (Apastamba or Bodhayana) in addition to his name. The lifestyle of Ayyar Brahmin is quite disciplined. They follow religious rites according to the rules and the social customs. These are the foundation stones for the Ayyar community.

Although they may appear to be Shaivas, Ayyars are Smratas i.e. followers of the Smritis. Most of them followers of Sankara and sixfold faith or `Shanmata.` Another distinction is that the Ayyars wear the leaves of both the tulsi plant, sacred to Vishnu and the bilva plant, sacred to Lord Shiva, in their hair.

Ayyars are further divided into various subjects, each subject claiming to be superior to the rest. How the community came to be subdivided is not clear. Until recently marriage between one subject and another was strictly forbidden but such restrictions are now disappearing.