Pisharody

Pisharody (also spelled Pisharodi, Pisharadi, Pisharoty, or Pisharoti; colloquially known as Sharody) is a Hindu Ambalavasi community from Kerala, India. As Vaishnavites Pisharodys were traditionally caretakers of Hindu temples and considered as Gurus or Acharyas who taught the Vedic texts. Most Pisharams (Pisharody ancestral households) are situated near Lord Krishna or Goddess Devi temples. Hence, they are known as Ambalavasis. They generally carry Vaishnavite surnames (Ramakrishnan, Narayanan, Gopalan, etc.) and a majority of the community still does teaching as their major profession. Pisharodies dont have the adhikara to wear the sacred thread.