The Variyars are described, in the Gazetteer of Malabar, as "a caste whose traditional duty is to sweep the temple precincts (varuga). At the present day, some members of the caste are important land-owners or petty chieftains, occupying a very high social position. They generally follow the marumakkatayam principle, but they have also a form of marriage called Kudivekkal similar to the Brahman Sarvasvadhanam, by which the wife is adopted as a member of the family into which she marries, and her children also belong to it. The Variyar's names and ceremonies indicate Sivaite proclivities, just as those of the Pisharodi are tinged with Vishnavism. The Variyar's house is called a Variyam, and his woman-folk Varassiars. This class is perhaps the most progressive among the Ambalavasis, some of its members having received a Western education and entered the learned professions." Varugu Bhatta.--A mendicant class, which begs from Perikes. Varuna.--Some Pattanavan fishermen have adopted the name of Varunakula Vellala or Varunakula Mudali after Varuna the god of the waters. Vasa (new).--A sub-division of Kurubas, who are said to weave only white blankets. Vasishta.--A Brahmanical gotra adopted by Khatris and Toreyas. Vasishta, one of the seven great Rishis, was the son of Mitra and Varuna, whose quarrels with Viswamitra are narrated in the Ramayana. Vastra.--One division of the Koragas is called Vastra, meaning cloths such as are used as a shroud for a corpse, which were given to them as an act of charity, the wearing of new cloths by them being prohibited. Vastrala (cloth) further occurs as an exogamous sept of the Karna Sale and Devanga weavers. Vattakadan.--Recorded as a sub-division of Nayar, the occupation of which is expressing oil, chiefly for use in temples. Mr. F. Fawcett writes [117] that, in North Malabar, he has frequently been told by Nayars of the superior classes that they do not admit the Vattakadans to be Nayars. According to them, the Vattakadans have adopted the honorary affix Nayar to their names quite recently. In the Madras Census Report, 1891, Vattakadan is stated to be a synonym of Vaniyan; and in the report, 1901, this name is said to mean a Native of Vattakad, and to be given to the Chakkans. Vatte (camel).--A gotra of Kurni. Vatti.--Vatti or Vattikurup has been recorded at times of census as a sub-division of Nayar, and a synonym of Kavutiyan and Tolkollan. Vatti is said to mean one who prays for happiness.