Archive · 5 Jan 2026
ITDA Documents Family Deities of Adivasi Koyas
The Bhadrachalam ITDA is working to document the family deities, called Ilavelpulu, of the Adivasi Koya community.
These deities are chosen by families based on their beliefs and are worshipped for protection and guidance.
A special team of elders, priests, and officials visited many tribal areas to learn about these deities.
They found 142 special places where these deities are worshipped and learned about the different ways families honor them.
The ITDA plans to publish a big book with all this information to help keep these traditions alive.
The Bhadrachalam ITDA is documenting the family deities (Ilavelpulu) of the Adivasi Koya community.
A study team of elders, traditional priests, and ITDA officials conducted field visits to document 142 sacred platforms (gaddes).
The documentation covers ancestral deities worshipped by members of seven gattu gothrams and around 750 surnames.
The ITDA plans to publish a 500-page book titled “Adivasi Koya–Ilavelpulu” detailing the origins, worship methods, and cultural significance of these deities.
The initiative aims to preserve the oral traditions of the Adivasi Koya community, which are gradually disappearing due to modern influences.
- Who
- Bhadrachalam Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) and a study team of elders, priests, and officials
- What
- Documenting the family deities (Ilavelpulu) of Adivasi Koya communities
- When
- Recently launched (exact date not specified)
- Where
- Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, Telangana, India
- Why
- To preserve the oral traditions and cultural heritage of the Adivasi Koya community
- Initiative
- Documenting Ilavelpulu (family deities) of Adivasi Koya communities
- Location
- Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, Telangana
- Study Team
- 3 elders, 3 traditional priests, 3 ITDA officials
- Gaddes Documented
- 142 sacred platforms
- Gattu Gothrams Covered
- 7
- Surnames Covered
- 750
- Book Title
- Adivasi Koya–Ilavelpulu
- Book Length
- 500 pages
- Documentation Parameters
- 22