The priests at the Hindu temples here in TamilNadu are normally called “Gurukkal”, colloquially “poosari”, “saami”, “iyer” and many more. Depending on the deity / god at the temple the priests originate from the Tam Brahm communities (iyer or iyengar) or from the villages themselves from a Non-brahmin community.

Such a priest found at the Karaneeswarar Temple, Saidapet.