I have also noticed that some Brahmin Families have Village Deities , like the one for Vana Durga near Tiruvarur.
My mother used to take us for th Tonsuring of the head to Andavar Koil near Manapparai after visiting Palani in Tamil Nadu.
I am intrigued.
These Deities are not Vedic Deities,
How come these are worshiped in Brahmin Households when Brahmins are basically Vaidikas, those who follow the Vedas?
Iswara means personal God , that's all.
Now to Swayam Acharya.
Later when many Devathas were being worshiped, to distinguish those who worship Vishnu, the term Vaishnava was coined.
As Vishnu is to be worshiped always along with Lakshmi, Sri, has been added.
Thus was born the term Sri Vaishnava.
Swayam Acharya means one who is an Acharya to himself.
In the earlier days, when Brahmins were following all the duties of a Brahmin, including Agnihotra, the tradition was handed over to the son.
Thus the father becomes the first Acharya.
In Upanayana, the Gayathri is first taught by the father.
In all cases Father is the first Acharya.
Sruthi says Pitru devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava in this context.
"Swayam Acharya sampradayam:
In olden days, all the Vaishvaites were very orthodox, performing daily Agni Hothram in their houses. Therefore the father of the family himself was the Acharyan for the members
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