Devadiga.--The Devadigas are Canarese-speaking temple servants in South Canara, concerning whom Mr. H. A. Stuart writes as follows. [86] "This is a class of servants, chiefly musicians in Hindu temples. In the reign of Mayura Varma, who built a number of new temples, it was found that Brahmans could not perform all the services. It was, therefore, ordained by him that the puja or worship alone should be performed by the Brahmans, and that the Stanikas and Devadigas should perform the other services in the temples. They are also called Moili (or Moyili), but there is a caste called Kannada Moili which is quite distinct, and Devadigas will not eat with them. Some of them cultivate lands, and some are employed as peons and constables. They returned eleven sub-divisions, but only one (Tulu) is numerically important. They are Vaishnavites, and Tulu Brahmans are their priests. As regards marriage, there is no fixed age. Remarriage of widows is permitted, but it is practiced only in the case of young widows. The dead are burned. They eat flesh, and drink liquor." The Devadigas or Moilis speak Tulu, and are mainly agriculturists. Their traditional occupation, however, is said to be service in temples (slaves or servants of the deva or god). A large number of them, both male and female, are engaged as domestic servants. Like the Bants, they follow the aliya santana law of inheritance (in the female line), and they have the same balis (septs) as the Bants and Billavas. In their marriage ceremonies, they closely imitate the Bants. An interesting feature in connection therewith is that, during the dhare ceremony, a screen is interposed between the bride and bridegroom at the time when the dhare water is poured. As a sign of betrothal, a ring is given to the bride-elect, and she wears it on the little finger. The caste is a mixed one, and here and there Devadigas are seen to have the typical prominent cheek-bones and square face of the Jains. In the Census Report, 1901, Dakkera Devali, Padarti, and Valagadava are returned as sub-divisions of Devadiga. Devala (belonging to God).--An exogamous sept of Odde. The equivalent Devali has been recorded as a sub-caste of Devadiga, and Devalyal as a division of the Todas. [87] A division of the Irulas of the Nilgiris, settled near the village of Devala, is known by that name. Devanga.--The Devangas are a caste of weavers, speaking Telugu or Canarese, who are found all over the Madras Presidency. Those whom I studied in the Bellary district connected my operations in a vague way with the pilag (plague) tax, and collection of subscriptions for the Victoria Memorial. They were employed in weaving women's saris in pure cotton, or with a silk border, which were sold to rich merchants in the local bazaar, some of whom belong to the Devanga caste. They laughingly said that, though they are professional weavers, they find it cheapest to wear cloths of European manufacture.