Shivalli Brahmins

The Shivalli Brahmins are a Tuluva Brahmin community mainly in Tulunad region of southwest India. They are divided into two groups: the first follows the Dvaita philosophy founded by the Vaishnava saint Madhvacharya of Udupi and its members are called Shivalli Madhva Brahmins, and the second follows the Advaita philosophy of Adi Shankara whose members are known as Shivalli Smartha Brahmins. The majority of Shivalli Brahmins (Shivalli Brahmana's) are Madhvas and only a few of them are Smarthas.