There are scholars who suggest that the Mahars are the original inhabitants of the state. They are a large community found in very town in Maharashtra. There are fifty-three known endogamous divisions within the Mahar caste, however one can even find more. Among them the Somvanshi are the most numerous and they consider themselves superior to the other clans. The Mahars were also part of the Balutedar system of the village economy, performing certain duties and from which they also received their livelihood. In social status they were regarded as impure and hence they were not allowed to come in contact with caste Hindus for fear of making them impure. They were oppressed and considered worthy for doing the menial works. Traditionally the Mahars as a community never received any proper religious instruction. They had their own belief system and they venerated their deities however, they also celebrated the festivals of other Hindu castes.