The Pattanavans are Saivites, but also worship various minor gods and Grama Devatas (village deities). In some places, they regard Kuttiyandavan as their special sea god. To him animal sacrifices are not made, but goats are sacrificed to Sembu Virappan or Minnodum Pillai, an attendant on Kuttiyandavan. In Tanjore, the names of the sea gods are Pavadairayan and Padaithalaidaivam. Before setting out on a fishing expedition, the Pattanavans salute the god, the sea, and the nets. In the Tanjore district, they repair their nets once in eight days, and, before they go out fishing, pray to their gods to favour them with a big catch. On a fixed day, they make offerings to the gods on their return from fishing. The gods Pavadairayan and Padaithalaidaivam are represented by large conical heaps of wet sand and mud, and Ayyanar, Ellamma, Kuttiyandavar, Muthyalrouthar and Kiliyendhi by smaller heaps. At the Masimakam festival, the Pattanavans worship their gods on the sea-shore. The names Jattan and Jatti are given to children during the Jatre or periodic festival of the village goddesses. The Pattanavans afford a good example of a caste, in which the time-honoured village council (panchayat) is no empty, powerless body. For every settlement or village there are one or more headmen called Yejamanan, who are assisted by a Thandakaran and a Paraiyan Chalavathi. All these offices are hereditary. Questions connected with the community, such as disrespect to elders, breach of social etiquette, insult, abuse, assault, adultery, or drinking or eating with men of lower caste, are enquired into by the council. Even when disputes are settled in courts of law, they must come before the council. Within the community, the headman is all powerful, and his decision is, in most instances, considered final. If, however, his verdict is not regarded as equitable, the case is referred to a caste headman, who holds sway over a group of villages. No ceremony may be performed without the sanction of the local headman, and the details of ceremonies, except the feasting, are arranged by the headman and the Thandakaran. In the case of a proposed marriage, the match is broken off if the headman objects to it. He should be present at the funeral rites, and see that the details thereof are properly carried out. It is the duty of the Chalavathi to convey the news of a death to the relations. Should he come to the shore when the fishes are heaped up, he has the right to take a few thereof as his perquisite. The Thandakaran, among other duties, has to summon council meetings. When the members of council have assembled, he ushers in the parties who have to appear before it, and salutes the assembly by prostrating himself on the floor. The parties take a bit of straw, or other object, and place it before the headman in token that they are willing to abide by the decision of the council. This formality is called placing the agreement (muchchilika).