the Self-respect movement, the latter a 1972 breakaway from the DMK. Both parties are populist with a generally social democratic orientation. Caste-based political parties Caste based political parties were not successful during the 1960s to late 80s when the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were dominant. Three of the parties emerged prominent - Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) among Vanniyar, Puthiya Tamilagam among Devendrar and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi among Paraiyar polled 12% vote in the 1999 Loksabha elections. After 1931, caste based census was not performed and hence the census data is not available for other castes. Famous pilgrimage sites Kumbakonam Kanchipuram Rameswaram Madurai Tiruchirappalli Pudukkottai Palani See also Religion in Tamil Nadu Religion in Sri Lanka Tamil calendar References References Citations . . . . External links