Adikal community in Kerala are a priestly class. As per
Kerala Kavyam of Kodungallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran, the community were
Shakteyas (Shakti worshippers). They lost being part of Brahmin community as
they employed the use liquor and meat in their pujas. They were also known as
Madhu Brahminar.
Although they had lost their Brahmanyam, they perform Upanayanam
and Gayatri Japa like other Brahmins. They still perform Pushpanjali in certain
Goddess Bhadrakali temples.
Adikal who reside in the northernmost part of Kerala are sub-community
of the Nair community. As per some scholars, they belong to the Ambalavasi
community. The female of this community are referred to as Adiyasaru or Adisyaru.
They used to wear ornaments worn by Brahmin women but they did not hold olakkuda
or the traditional Kerala umbrella.
Adikal followed Marumakkathayam.