Deshastha Brahmin
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2007) |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (cities of Gwalior, Indore, Ujjain, & Dhar), Gujarat, particularly Baroda, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, United States and United Kingdom | |
| Languages | |
| Majority speak Marathi. Also a small number of Deshastha resident outside Maharashtra speak local languages such as Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada and Konkani | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
|
Deshastha Brahmins (Marathi: देशस्थ ब्राह्मण) are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste belonging to the Indo-Aryan ethnic group primarily from the Indian state of Maharashtra . Deshastha, in Sanskrit, means inland and thus, Deshastha Brahmins are Brahmins living in the interiors (away from the coasts). [1]
Deshastha Population & Geographical Location
With Karhade Brahmin, Devrukhe,Chitpavan (Konkanastha) & and GSB, Deshastha form the five major Brahmin communities of Maharashtra with Deshastha by far the largest of the five. The community is now predominantly urban.Deshastha have two major sub- sects or shakhas called Rigvedi and Yajurvedi.other small sub-sects are like Samvedi and Govardhan For details,see the article on Shakha.
In Southern India (typically the part of Karnataka-Andhra that belonged to the era of Bombay-Province also called as Bombay-Ilaakaa), there are two communities of Deshastha known as Deshastha Madhva Brahmins, who follow the teachings of Madhvacharya and Deshastha Smartha Brahmins, who follow the teachings of Shankaracharya respectively. The surnames of these mainly Kannada speaking Deshastha brahmins can be identical to those of Maharashtrian Deshastha brahmins (e.g. Kulkarni, Deshpande, Joshi etc.
Marathi speaking Deshastha can also be found in large numbers outside Maharashtra in the former Maratha ruled or Maratha confederacy states/cities of Indore, Baroda, Ujjain, Gwalior, Dhar and Tanjore.
Unlike the British Raj colonial administration, the Indian government at the ten year census does not collect data on upper castes and the associated sub-castes. Therefore it is difficult to know precisely how large Deshastha population is. However, the number can be estimated as 2.0 million by extrapolating from the colonial era census reports. [2] Appearance wise, they are similar to other communities in Maharashtra. H.H. Risley's work during the 1901 census [1] found Deshastha to be indistinguishable from most other castes like Maratha in Maharashtra.[3]
Residence of Deshasthas
In spite of the fact that they are from Deccan plateau, many Deshashtas migrated to the coastal city of Mumbai during British Rule in search of administrative and clerical jobs. There was also migration to other cities like Pune and Nagpur or Maratha ruled cities outside Maharashtra like Indore. A second wave of migration started after the formation of Maharashtra state(in 1960)when many families settled in Mumbai, Thane, and Dombivali,thus made contribution to Mumbai by servicing in sectors like Government,Teaching(Education),Railways, Banking/ Insurance and Engineering. Few Deshastha also succeeded in starting their own industries in Mumbai. examples include Garware Polymers, Parkhi Paper Mills and Sudha Kulkarni-Murthy’s Infosys in 1981.During last few decades, many Deshasthas have started industries in other cities of Maharashtra like Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nagpur; those are in the fields of IT, Ethanol, Rubber, Engineering Equipments etc.Deshasthas nowadays live mostly in urban centres. However, they are to be found in certain rural areas as well. Brahmins have been migrating overseas in search of higher education and employment for number of years now. A large number educated Brahmins including deshasthas have moved abroad to USA, UK & other countries likeAustralia.It is estimated that, more than 30,000 Deshasthas have migarted to US during 1950-2000..[citation needed] Indeed, a simple search of surnames of Maharashtrian families in US will reveal mostly brahmin (all sub-groups) or Ckp names.The rate of migration has increased four fold after start of IT boom in 1990. There are thousands of Deshasthas working temporary in US on H1B visas and on Work Permit in U.K..[citation needed] Please refer to list of Deshastha Brahmins of distinction for Deshastha contribution to various fields.
Occupations of Deshasthas
The traditional occupations of Deshastha were as priests of Hindu temples or to conduct religious family ceremonies, village revenue officials, academicians, astrologer and administrators A large number of deshastha also practiced ayurvedic medicines and some were also engaged in farming.Even After entry of Chitpavans in Maratha empire, the posts of “Panditrao” (Minister related to Religious issues) and “Chief Justice“ remained in hands of Deshastha. This may be due to their long tradition of sending their brightest students to the holy city of Kashi for religious and legal studies. During British Raj, brahmins in general, found employment as white collar professions such as office clerks and teachers. In modern times, Deshastha occupations range from being factory workers,clerks to being doctors, lawyers, teachers, administrators, IT professionals and engineers. Deshastha women are also going into higher education and as a result can be found in high ranking professions.
Deshastha History
Deshastha Brahmins consider themselves to be the direct descendants of the great Rishis(Sages) who settled in dandakaranya(Maharashtra)in ancient times.[[1]] They are people of Aryan descent who had settled down south of Vindhya mountains after the Mahabharat period.The Deshasthas arrived in Maharashtra from the ancient Gandhar province in (Afghanistan) and Punjab during 1st century BC to 150 AD.[[2]] First they settled in Vidarbha[[3]] Later they moved eastwards in the valleys of Bhima,Godavari and Krishna rivers in Central and Western Maharashtra.[4]
Some Yajurvedi deshastha brahmin families have been living in North Konkan since the 12th century along with Pathare Prabhus. Despite living in Konkan they are still considered ‘Deshastha-Yajurvedis’ rather than Kokanastha (belonging to Konkan).
Deshastha may be the Maharashtrian Brahmin community with the longest known history. Sant Dnyaneshwar from the 12th century was Deshastha, as were the saints, Eknath and Ramdas from more recent times (16th & 17th centuries, respectively). The close advisors and ministers of Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century founder of Maratha empire were Deshastha. Unfortunately, the history of Maharashtra and therefore of the Deshastha community before 12th century is quite sparse.The cave paintings of Ajanta and sculptures from other places show Buddhism and Jainism to be the religions with significant royal patronage in Maharashtra during the first millennium of the present era. One can only speculate whether, Deshastha had kept Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) going during this period or converted from Buddhism after the decline of that religion in India. After the rise of Maratha kingdom, under the leadership Shivaji Maharaj Deshasthas played major role in army and administration which is evident from the warriors like Neelkanth Sarnaik, Keso Narayan Deshpande and Annaji Dato Sabnis so on. Seven out of eight Ashtapradhan of Raje Shivaji were Deshasthas. Even after the fall of Maratha Kingdom to British a few Deshastha-ruled states remained nominally independent until 1947. Major among these were, Prant-Pratindhi of Aundh-Satara, Bavadekar of Gagan-Bavda(Kolhapur)and Panditrao of Bhor.and many more[4][5]
Association with Pathare-Prabus & Early migration in Mumbai island
When Chimaji Appa attacked the Fort of Vasai in 1739-40, Pathare Prabhu Khanduji Mankar and Yajurvedi Brahmin Antaji Kawale played important roles in the battle. The Peshwas promised Antaji the jahagir of Malad but after the deaths Bajirao Peshwa, Chimaji Appa and Antaji Raghunath, Balaji Bajirao Peshwe alias Nanasahib Peshwe reneged on their promise. Nanasaheb Peshwe being a 'Konkanastha Brahmin' followed the advice of his relatives. The Konkanasta Brahmin in his kingdom started harassing the Deshastha Brahmins. This also affected the Yajurvedi Brahmins who had arrived with the Pathare Prabhus in Northern Konkan. On the advice of his supporters Balaji Bajirao Peshwe destroyed the Yagnas of the Yajurvedi Brahmin and disallowed the chanting of the 'Brahma Gayatri Vedak Mantra' by them. He humiliated them as 'Palsi'. Fed up with the humiliations by the Peshwas, Yajurvedi Brahmins left the Peshwai. According to the advice of the Rajguru, all Yajurvedi Brahmins and Pratihaar Prabhus migrated and settled in Bombay and started working under the British regime. Over the years these Pratihaar Prabhus became Pathare Prabhus.[5]
Deshastha Women
The deshastha woman from the past is portrayed as woman draped in a nine yard saree. Such dress is becoming rare among deshastha women now. Traditional deshastha women, both married and unmarried wear a "kunku" (red dot, also known as kumkum/sindoor/bindi) on their forehead and married women always wear the mangalsutra. This is a sacred gold neckless tied by the bridegroom around the bride's neck and along with kunku serves the same purpose as the wedding ring to signify the married status of a woman. Being a patrilineal society, a deshastha woman becomes part of her husband's family after marriage and adopts the gotra/lineage as well as the traditions of her husband's family.
Decades ago, deshastha girls used to get married to the groom of their parents' choice by early teens or before. Even now girls are married off relatively early (late teens) by rural less educated Deshastha families, Also in the past, a Deshastha widow was never allowed to re-marry, while it was acceptable for deshastha widowers to re-marry. Deshastha widows at that time used to shave their heads and wear simple red sari. The womnan also had to stop wearing the kunku /bindi on her forehead. Basically, widows had to lead a very austere life with little joy. Needless to say, divorces were non-existent.All of these practices have gradually fallen by the wayside over the last hundred years, and modern Deshastha widows lead better lives and younger widows also remarry. Sudha Murthy was the first woman Mechanical Engineer from India.
She also became first woman employee of Tata Motors.Her contribution in the formation of India’s one of the most admirable company,Infosys was much valuable in the early struggling years of the company in the early 1980s.
A Prominent debra girl in contemporary time is Anjali Vedpathak Bhagwat. She is a leading rifle shooter. In 2002 Commonwealth Games at Manchester, she won four golds in the individual and pairs events of Air rifle and Smallbore Rifle (Three positions). Also mentioned should be Sheetal Mahajan who is the First Indian woman to reach both North and South Poles. Another significant contributor is Sonali Kulkarni. she was a leading actress in Hindi movies. she is still active in movies.
Deshastha Society & Culture
Deshastha — like all other Brahmins — trace their paternal ancestors to one of the seven sages, the saptarshi. This way they classify themselves into eight gotras, named after the ancestor rishi. Deshastha have two sub sects, Rigvedi and Yajurvedi. Inter-marriage between these sub sects was uncommon until recently, although there is no taboo against this. Like most families in Maharashtra & other states of India, Deshastha families also have their own "unique" family deity, Kuldevta, usually the Goddess Parvati, known by different names such as Bhavani,Renuka, Amba, etc. Surprisingly, practically no family regards Viththal or other Avatar of Vishnu as their Kuldevata.That may be beccuase the families have ancient vedic tradition of having devis as kul devtas.While a point to ponder is RENUKA the mother of PARSHURAM JI is a mother kul devta to so many deshasthas,while hE himself is the founder-savior of CHITPAWANS maharshtrian brahmins.So now imagine how close both the communities are!! But who drives the wedge and behaves as if weare different and superior ?NOt fair isnt it.[Balaji]] as their Kuldevta. Balaji is regarded as a form of Vishnu by most Hindus but as Shankar by the Lingayat community. The Kuldevta is invoked on auspicious occasions like weddings and initiation ceremony (munja or Upanayanam) to obtain her blessings. Families also make pilgrimage to their Kuldevta temples after an auspicious occasion. The location of the Kuldevta temple may give a clue as to the original abode of a particular family because families may have chosen a particular temple as Kuldevta for geographical proximity and vedic time tradition .Rememeber the gotras are derived from Seven rishis who kept the flame of sanatan vedic dharma alive after a pralaya or a disaster then.Saptarishi kund is found above the Kalindi peak Yamunotri Uttaranchal and Renuka(Sarnaul Uttarkashi or Himachal lake)many himalayan villages till Lohit kund Arunachal assam border and in Kutch too Koteshwar.Jamdgani s'village is Than barkot Uttaranchal.Malan Himachal; kullu.
Like most other castes in India, Deshasthas are a patrilineal society and children derive their group or caste association from their father.
By tradition, like other Brahmin communities of Southern India, Deshastha Brahmins are lacto vegetarian. The special dishes for Deshastha and some other Marathi communities may be the simple toor dal varan. Metkut is another Brahmin specialty. Deshastha use black spice mix or kala masala in the cooking. Traditionally, each family had their own recipe for the spice mix. However, this tradition is giving way to housewives buying the mixed spice pack directly from retailers. Puran poli for festivals is another Marathi Brahmin special dish.
Deshastha women traditionally wore a nine yard sari. The way they wore the nine yard sari was different from women of other castes. Unlike women from other caste groups in Maharashtra, Deshastha women traditionally do not cover their head with their sari. Men wore dhotis again in a "Brahmin way." For religious ceremonies men & boys wore a coloured silk dhoti called a "sovale". In modern times, women mostly wear the five yard sari. Salwar kameez and Western clothes are popular amongst the young.
Despite decades of campaign against casteism, Deshastha tend to be mostly endogamous. However, marriages between Deshastha and other Maharashtrian Brahmin communities such as Karhade and Kokanastha, Devrukhe are common. Marriages between Maharashtrian Deshastha and Kannada Deshastha are also common, particularly in the border region of the two states. Deshastha differ from Kokanstha in allowing cross-cousin marriages (a man marrying his maternal uncle's daughter). Due to concerns about genetic defects, this practice is dying out. Ironically, unrelated men and women of the same gotra are considered related and therefore marriage between people from the same gotra is considered incest.
Social and political issues: Before British raj
During ancient and mediaeval periods, Deshasthas (and Brahmins in general) rose to prominence in Indian society, primarily due to their emphasis on spiritual life and scholarship, particularly in terms of their expertise in the Vedas and the attendant religious rituals. Most of the administrators in the government of Shivaji Maharaj were Deshastha Brahmin. Deshastha influence waned during the rule of Nanasaheb Peshwa(Especially during 1750s) who belonged to the Konkanastha-chitpavan sub-caste. For example, city of Miraj was actually recaptured by PantPratinidhi from Mogul control, but Nanasaheb Peshwa gave the “jahagir” of Sangli-Miraj to Sardar Patwardhan despite the latter having no role in recapturing Miraj Actually,such practice of giving ‘Jahagir’(Ownership of Province) to the relatives of political people was abolished by Shivaji Maharaj. After death of Shahu Maharaj (Grandson of Shivaji) in 1749, Nanasaheb Peshwa took many such decisions in favor of his relatives from Kokan; this policy has affected many Deshastha accountants, clerks, Military persons working with in Maratha empire as a result deshasthas lost many posts right from senior level (Amatya- Military Accountants, Phadanvis-Finance secretary) to junior level of clerks and priest. Sardar Vinchurkar, Sardar Mujumdar, Sardar Purandare, Sakharam Bapu Bokil and Sardar Panse, Rajas of Aundh (Satara District), the PantPratinidhis and Bhor, the Pandits played major roles in the military and administration of Maratha empire from 1713-1818.
Unfortunately, until recent times, like other high castes of Maharashtra and India, Deshastha also followed the practice of segregation from other castes cosidered lower in the social hierarchy. Until a few decades ago, a large number of Hindu temples, presumably with a Deshastha priest, barred entry to the so called untouchables. This practice died out due to the campaigns conducted by leaders like Veer Savarkar, Sane Guruji, K. B. Hedgewar and non Brahmin leaders like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule. Legislation outlawing caste discrimination after Indian independence may also have played a part in eliminating the segregation and untouchability.Dr. Govande was a one of the supporter of Mahatma Phule. Mahadev Ambedkar another Deshastha bramhin had helped Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in later's early schooling career. Babasaheb had expressed gratitude about his Ambedkar guruji many times in his speech.
Unlike other castes and tribes in India, Deshastha do not have a caste Panchayat to arbitrate in matters relating to disputes involving caste members.
Social and political issues: Modern Era (British raj & Post-independence)
Even after the fall of the Maratha empire, many Deshastha -ruled states remained nominally independent under British rule.. Later, during the British raj they were also the first to acquire English education and served as administrators during the British rule in India. Such a relatively privileged life during the colonial period led to resentment from other castes.Deshashthas and other marathi brahmins were the primary targets during the anti-Brahmin riots in Maharastra in 1948 following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. The rioters burnt homes and properties owned by brahmins. However, in some instances, the rioters also killed their brahmin victims. It took years for them to recover from this situation. Some took it constructively and migrated to Cities in search of work. “Kool Kayda”, a Reformist-Agriculture- Land Law after Independence, worsened their situation in rural area and was another motivation for them to migrate to the cities. In Maharashtra, Deshasthas and other brahmin groups have been politically marginalized since Indian independence. Quotas & reservation for disadvantaged groups in government jobs and Higher Education have led to further squeezing of opportunities for brahmins everywhere in India. In recent decades, with the rise of the right wing , BJP & Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, a number of Deshastha politicians rose to prominence. Notable among them are the late Pramod Mahajan and Manohar Joshi. On the left of the political spectrum, one can mention National level Communist leader Shripad Amrut Dange. Deshastha have also demonstrated their leadership in the Education sector Notable examples include Dr. Narhar Hirwe, founder of Royal Society of Science, Mumbai in 1935 and Dr. Mujumdar of Symbiosis. Please refer to list of Deshastha Brahmins of distinction for Deshastha contribution to various fields.
In recent time,the anti-brahmin hate group Sambhaji Brigade attacked Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute of Maharashtra in January 2004, claiming that the Institute had defamed Shivaji. Later the Sambhaji Brigade issued statements reflecting anti-Brahmin sentiments. They also hate Ramdas Swami- a revolutionary saint from 17th century. Recently, the same organization had demanded the removal of Dadoji Konddeo from the Statue of Child Shivaji ploughing Pune's Land at Lal Mahal, Pune. They also threatened that if their demande were not met, they would demolish that part of statue by themselves.
Rituals, Ceremonies and Festivals
Although many rituals that were practiced in ancient times are no longer followed, some traditions are continued to this day. The rituals, ceremonies and Hindu festivals described below are also followed by other Marathi people or Hindu communities. Unique Deshastha traditions are mentioned where possible.
Deshasthas are initiated into rituals at the time of birth. At that time, a horoscope is made for the child based on the position of the stars. Then the child undergoes the naming ceremony (barsa). During the ceremony the child's paternal aunt (father's sister) has the honour of naming the infant. In Gujarat, children are named according to the letter associated with a particular birth-sign (Ras in Marathi). However, this tradition is either not followed in Maharahtra or the name according to the ras is kept hidden in order to ward off possible black magic. When the child is one year old, the first cutting of the infant's hair (jawal) is a significant ceremony too.
When a male child reaches his seventh birthday he undergoes the initiation thread ceremony known as munja or Upanayanam. From that day on, he becomes an official member of his caste, and is called a dwija (translated in English as "twice-born"). In ancient times, the boy was sent to gurukula to learn Vedas and scriptures. The boy was expected to practice extreme discipline during this period known as brahmacharya. He was expected to lead a celibate life, living on alms, and surviving on selected vegetarian saatvic food and observing considerable austerity in behaviour and deeds. Though such practices are not followed in modern times by a majority of Deshasthas, all Deshasthas boys undergo the sacred thread ceremony before marriage. Twice-born Deshasthas perform annual ceremonies to replace their sacred threads (called Janve in Marathi) with new ones on Shravan full moon day (Narali Pornima in Marathi). Like most other Hindu communities, Deshasthas have a shrine called devghar in their house with statues, symbols, and images of various deities. Satyanarayana Puja is also performed for special occasions. Ritual reading of religious texts called pothi is also popular.
A typical Deshasthas marriage consists of Seemant poojan on the wedding eve. The dharmic wedding includes the antarpat ceremony followed by the vedic ceremony which involves the bridegroom and the bride walking around the sacred fire seven times to complete the marriage. Modern urban wedding ceremonies conclude with an evening reception.
The other extremely important rituals for the Deshasthas are the death ceremonies. All Deshasthas are cremated according to Vedic rites, usually within a day of the individual's death. The death rites include a 13-day ceremony. The ashes of the departed are immersed at a confluence of two rivers (sangam) or the sea. Like all other Hindus, the preference is for the ashes to be immersed in the Ganga river or river Godavari. There is also a yearly shraddha that needs to be performed. These rituals are expected to be performed only by male descendants (preferably the eldest son) of the deceased.
Other rituals for different occasions include Vastushanti (entering a new house) and Satyanarayan Puja.
In traditional families, any food is first offered to God as naivedya, and then eaten. Food is not considered to be consumed before this religious offering. In contemporary Deshasthas families, the naivedya is offered only on festival days.
Deshasthas follow the Shaka (Saka) Hindu calendar. The following are just a few of the many festivals observed by Deshasthas.
- Gudi Padwa: The year starts on the first day of Chaitra known as Gudi Padwa which falls around March or April of the Western calendar. A gudi or victory pole is erected outside the house on this day. The special dish on the day includes shreekhand. Neem leaves are eaten on this day to ward off illness during the new year. Gudi Padwa like Diwali Padwa and Dasara is considered one of the 3 and half auspicious days of the Marathi calendar and astrological charts need not be consulted for conducting important ceremonies such as weddings. During Chaitra women also hold a Haldi-kunku celebration. Chaitra is, however, considered inauspicious for weddings.
- Ram Navami and Hanuman jayanti, the birthdays of Shree Ramchandra and Hanuman respectively are also celebrated in the month of Chaitra. Sunthwada/dinkwada, a snack usually eaten by new mothers is the snack of the day for Ram navami.
- Narali Pornima - On this Shravan full moon day, Deshastha men change the sacred thread. In northern India, this day is celebrated as Raksha bandhan. Marathi people in general have adopted the Raksha bandhan tradition of sisters tying a rakhee on the wrist of their brothers. A special sweetened rice with coconut, called Narali Bhat in Marathi is the special dish of the day.
- Janmashtami - Birthday of Lord Krishna on Shravan Vadya ashtami is observed with a fast. Gopalkala, a recipe made with curd (yoghurt) , pickle, popped millet (jondhale), chilli, salt etc. is popular , especially amongst kids.
- Ganeshotsav- Festival of Lord Ganesh. Through, Lokmanya Tilak's efforts Ganeshotsava became a public celebration a century ago. However, Deshasthas families also install their own clay (called shadu in Marathi) Ganpati in their house on Ganesh Chaturthi. The private celebration can go on for 1 1/2 days to full 10 days according to each family's tradition. A Modak (steamed rice dumpling usually with a jaggery/coconut filling) is a sweet prepared for this occasion, and is considered the favourite of Lord Ganesh. Ganeshotsav also incorporates the Gauri festival. Deshasthas install statues of the Gauri. Kokanstha brahmins on the other hand use special rocks as symbols of Gauri.
- Navaratri - the nine-day festival of Durga culminates in Vijayadasami (Dasara). This is the one the three auspicious days of the year. Traditionally, stars need not be consulted for starting a new project on this day. People also exchange leaves of Apti tree as symbol of gold. During Navaratri women and girls hold bhondla, a singing party in honor of the Goddess.
- Kojagiri Pornima (Ashwin Pornima) on autumn Full Moon day is celebrated with sweetened milk and by honoring the eldest child in the family.
- Diwali - The festival of lights is celebrated over five days. The Deshasthas celebrate this in their unique style by waking up early in the morning and having and oil bath. People light their houses with lamps, and burst fire crackers over the course of the festival. Special sweets and savories like anarse, karanji, chakli, chivda (Bombay mix), ladoo are prepared for the festival. Colorful Rangoli are made in front of the house. Kids make a replica fort in memory of Shivaji, the great Maratha leader.
- Makar Sankranti - This mostly falls on January 14 when the Sun enters Capricorn. In Maharashtra, the day is celebrated by giving and receiving sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds called tilgool and halwa. During the exchanging of the sweets, people say to each other in Marathi "Til-gool Ghya aani God Bola" (rough translation: Please accept my til-gool & be friendly to me or Take sweet, talk sweet"). Special chappati with jaggery (gool poli) is the dish of the day.
- Shivaratri - Worship day of Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva is pleased with austerities, so no sweets are prepared. A chutney made the fruit of Kawath tree is the specialty of this day.
- The festival Holi falls in Falgun, the last month of the marathi Shaka Calendar. Deshastha celebrate this festival by lighting a bonfire and offering puran poli to the fire. In North India, Holi is celebrated over two days with the second day celebrated with throwing colors. Maharashtrians and Deshasthas celebrate color throwing five days after Holi on Rangpanchami.
Deshasthas keep certain days for fasting. Some of the days Deshasthas fast are, Ekadasi, Chaturthi Shivaratri, Janmashtami & Hartalika for women. A lot of people fast during the week in honour of a particular god, for example, Monday for Shiva, Saturday for Maruti and Shani (planet Saturn) etc. A cursory look at a Marathi calendar will show dates for pilgrimage to various temples & shrines of various saints. A popular destination for Deshastha is the shrine of Sant Dnyaneshwar at Alandi in the month of Kartik November.
See also
- List of Deshastha Brahmins of distinction
- Deshastha Brahmin surnames- Transferred back to this page
- Brahmins
- Forward Castes
- Marathi people
Notes
- ^ Umashankar, Rachana Rao (2004). "Mythical histories and visible realities" (PDF).
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Rare Colonial Documents India
References
- Frykenberg, Robert Eric (February, 1956). "Elite groups in a South Indian district: 1788-1858". The Journal of Asian Studies. 24: 261–281.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Vedic
Deshastha Surnames & Families
A large number of Deshastha surnames are derived by adding the suffix - kar to the village from which the family originally hailed. So, for example, Bidkar come from town of Bid. Some prominent Deshastha with ‘Kar’ surnames are Kusumagraj(Vi Va Shirwadkar), Famous Scientists such as Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar and Marathi Film Actor Sachin Khedekar. The names Kulkarni, Deshpande and Joshi are very common amongst Deshastha Brahmins and denote their professions. For example, Kulkarni means revenue collector and Joshi means Astrologer. In the list complied Deshastha families are classified using the Rigvedi / Yajurvedi subgroup (shakha), Gotra, the families' Kuldevta and the town / village of origin. As this list gets filled up, common Deshastha surnames like Kulkarni, Joshi & Deshpande will be repeated several times because these denote different families or more precisely different clans. From the list it can also be found out that the Adawadkar and Ghotkar families are related and belong to the same clan because they have identical gotra, kuldevta and are both rigvedi. Other related pairs are Bhalerao / Pol and Dixit / Shouche.
Table of Deshastha Surnames
} –| Surname | Deshastha Sub-group (Shakha) |
Gotra (Rishi lineage) | Kuldevta (Family Deity) | Family’s Town / Village of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acharya | Yajurvedi | Vishwamitra | Sri Subrahmanya of Kukshi, South Canara, Karnataka | |
| Airani | Rigvedi | Mounabhargava | Ranebennur, Hubli, Dharward, Karnataka | Airani is a place between Ranebennur & Harihar, Karnataka |
| Agavekar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Agnihotri | Rigvedi | Unknown | Mhalsa Devi of Trimbakeshwar Nasik | |
| Ambadkar | Rigvedi | Kashyap | Khandoba Of Jejuri | Ambad, Jalna District, Maharashtra |
| Ambekar | Yajurvedi | Paing | Renukadevi of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh |
| Ambekar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Narsinha of Karanja, District Amravati. Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Anaspure | Yajurvedi | Lohit | Bhavani of Tuljapur | Unknown |
| Adawadkar | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Renukadevi of Mahur, District Nanded Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Alekar | Yajurvedi | Prachinas | Khandoba, Alegao. | Unknown |
| Ambike | Yajurvedi | Kashyap | Khandoba, Sidhanath & Bhavanimata of Tuljapur | Unknown |
| Ane | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Anagare | Rugvedi | Kashyap | Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur | Unknown |
| Annachhatre | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Aparajit | unknown | Unknown | Shree Renuka Mata Devi of Mahur, District Yavatmal, | Unknown |
| Aphale | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Shree Yamai Devi of Aundh, District Satara, Jyotiba of Kolhapur | Masur and mahuli Dist Satara |
| Argade | Rigvedi | Gautam | Narsimha Temple(Narsimha) of Neera - Narsimhapur | Unknown |
| Aranke | Rigvedi | Shandilaya | Mahalakshmi Temple(Ambabai) of Kolhapur | Mahuli, Satara Dist. |
| Arcot | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Shree Venkateshwara Swamy/Balaji of Tirupati, Bhavani of Tuljapur | Unknown |
| Ashtekar | Unknown | Unknown | Shree Yamai Devi of Aundh, District Satara | Unknown |
| Atale | Yajurvedi | Angiras | Mahalakshmi of Ganoja (Amravati) | Unknown |
| Atre | [Rigvedi]] | Atri | Shakambari-Banshankari Badami Karnataka | |
| Atre | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bag | Rigvedi | Gautam | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Bajikar | Rigvedi | Kashyap | Subrahmanya | |
| Bakshi | Rigvedi | Gautam | Balaji | |
| Ballal | Rigvedi | Atri | Renukadevi of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Pahur, Yavatmal Maharashtra |
| Bansod | Yajurvedi | Gautam | Balaji | |
| Bavare | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Bavikar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Narsimha of Nira Narsingpur | Bavi, Barshi, Solapur |
| Belapure | Rigvedi | Haritasya | Shree Venkateshwara Swamy/Balaji of Tirupati,Jejuri Khandoba & Bhavani of Tuljapur | Belapure(Shrirampur),Diat.Nagar settled at Karad,Dist.Satara Maharashtra |
| Belsare | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Bildikar | Rigvedi | Koushik | Renuka Mata of Mahur | Unknown |
| Bhalerao | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Bhavani of Tuljapur ,Renuka of Mahur | Unknown |
| Borkar | Yajurvedi | Bhardwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur | Unknown |
| Bhargav | Rigvedi | Bhargav | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Khandoba of Jejuri | Unknown |
| Bhargave | Yajurvedi | Bhargav | Renuka of Mahur, Balaji of Tirupati, Khandoba of Jejuri | Unknown |
| Bhat | Yajurvedi, | Bharadwaj | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik), | Nashik, Pune |
| Bhat | Rigvedi | Athreyasya, | Kamakshi MahaLakshmi | Unknown |
| Bhawalkar | Yajurvedi Shukla, Madhyandin | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Bhise | Unknown | Haritasya | Unknown | |
| Bhome | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Khandoba of Jejuri, Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur | |
| Bhonde | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur | |
| Bhopale | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Bidkar | Yajurvedi | Bhardwaj | Unknown | District Bid, Maharashtra |
| BADVE | Rigvedi | Kashayap | Khandoba of Jejuri Mahrashtra | Unknown |
| Bobde | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Gopalkrishna of ????? | |
| Bobade | Rigvedi | Kaushik | Shri Ram of Ayodhya | |
| Bokil | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Jejuri Khandoba & Tuljapur Bhavani | |
| Borate | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Borawar | RigVedi | Shrivatsa | RajRajeshwar | |
| Brahme | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Krishna of ????? | |
| Burkule | Yajurvedi | Upamanyu | Renuka of Chandwad, District Nashik. Maharashtra | |
| Cavale | Rigvedi | Atreyasya | Unknown | Indore, (Madhya Pradesh, Malwa) & Nagpur, (Maharashtra) |
| Chaskar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Chati | Yajurvedi | Gargya | Akkabai of Thanegaon Dist:Wardha | MOWAD, District Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| Chapalgaonkar | rigvedi | Bhardwaj | Bhavanimata of Tuljapur, Shri Balaji(Venkateshwara) of Tirupati Gud, Bhavani of Chapalgaon | |
| Chaudhari | Unknown | Vasishtha | Unknown | |
| Chavare | Yajurvedi-Shukla | Kaushik | Yamai Devi of Aundh, District Satara, Khandoba of Jejuri | Bagalkot, Karnataka, Other BORDER Districts of BOTH Maharashtra and Karnataka |
| Chaware | Yajurvedi-Shukla Madhyandin | Kaushik | Yamai Devi of Aundh, District Satara, Khandoba of Jejuri | Bagalkot, Karnataka, Other BORDER Districts of BOTH Maharashtra and Karnataka |
| Chindhade | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Chitrav | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Chitnis | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Jejuri Khandoba | |
| Choudhari | Rigvedi | Unknown | Renuka of Mahur | |
| Chouthai | Yajurvedi | Vasishtha | Chandrala Parmeshwari of Sannati, District:-Gulbarga, State:-Karnataka | |
| Chouthai | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Ekvira devi | Miraj |
| Chaudhary | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Shri Balaji(Venkateshwara) of Tirupati | |
| Chumbhale | Yajurvedi | Mounas | Renuka Devi | |
| Dabade | Yajurvedi | Garg | Yogeshwari devi of Ambejogai | |
| Dabir | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Khandoba and Bhavani Jejuri and Tuljapur respectively | |
| Dabhikar | Rigvedi | Atri | Bhavani devi of Tuljapur | |
| Dadegaonkar | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Bhavani devi of Tuljapur | |
| Dagaonkar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Raj Rajeshwar of Vemulwada | |
| Dahale | Yajurvedi | Rathitar | Renuka of Mahur,or Jagdamba of Matapur | |
| Dahigaonkar | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Shri Mohiniraj, Newasa. Ahmednagar | |
| Dahigaonkar | Rigvedi | Haritasa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Dahigaon in district Buldhana,Maharashtra |
| Dandavate | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Dande | Yajurvedi | Atri | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded | |
| Dange | Yajurvedi | Gargya | Shri Balaji(Venkateshwara) of Tirupati | |
| Dahanukar | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Unknown | Dahanu |
| Dahasahasra | Rigvedi | Vatsa | Renukadevi of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Nagpur |
| Dani | Yajurvedi/Rigvedi | Kashyapa | [ShriMohiniraj]] of Newasa, Mhalsadevi Of Ahmednagar & Shri Venkateshwara Of Tirupati | Pune, Ahmednagar, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Karnataka, Other Border districts of Dakshin-South Maharashtra and Uttara-Northern Karnataka |
| Dani | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Khandoba Of Jejuri & Bhavani Of Tuljapur | Mahur District Nanded |
| Dani | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Bhavani Of Tuljapur | Darwha District Yavatmal |
| Dane | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Khandoba Of Jejuri & Bhavani Of Tuljapur | |
| Danke | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Tirupati Balaji | |
| Darvekar | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Dashputre | Rigvedi | Gautam | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Dashputre(Suratkar) | Yajurvedi (Krishna Yajurvedi) | Gautam | Laxminarsimh Renukadevi-Mahur & Khandoba | Puntamba, District Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra |
| Dastane | Yajurvedi | Udhalaka | Renukadevi-Mahur & Khandoba-Jejuri, Pune | Bhusaval/ Pune |
| Degalurakar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Deo | Yajurvedi | Shounak | Shri Mohiniraj, Newasa. Ahmednagar | Nashik |
| Deo | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Narsihna | |
| Deodhar | Yajurvedi-Shukla Madhyandin | Pautam | Renuka/Ekveera of Mahur, District Nanded | Saikheda, District Nasik, Maharashtra |
| Deolankar | Yajurvedi-Shukla Madhyandin | Kashyapa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded,[[Maharashtra] | Deolana, District Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
| DeoLe/Devale | Yajurvedi/Rigvedi | Munibhargav | shreekrishan | |
| Deolalikar | Rigvedi | Kaundinya | Balaji | Deolali, District Nasik, Maharashtra |
| Deoras | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Mahalakshmi of Ganoja, District Amaravati | |
| Deshmukh | Rigvedi | Kapi | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Deshmukh | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Mahalakshmi Temple(Ambabai) of Kolhapur, Khandoba of Pali, | |
| Deshpande | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Khandoba of Pali | |
| Deshpande | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Renuka of Chandwad, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Deshpande | Rigvedi | Kashyap | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Deshpande | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | RenukaMata of Mahur | |
| Dev | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Dhepe | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Renuka Mata of Jevur(Dist.AhmadNagar | Sonai Ahmadnagar Dist. |
| Dhavse | Yajurvedi | Shandilya | Renuka Mata of Mahur | Nashirabad, District Jalgaon, Maharashtra |
| Dharane | Yajurvedi | Gautum | Bhavani ofTuljapur | |
| Dharmadhikari | rigvedi | jamadagni | Mahalakshmi Temple (Ambabai) of Kolhapur | |
| Dharwadkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Dhaygude | rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Dhoble | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Dhodapkar | Unknown | Jamadagni | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Dhotre | Yajurvedi | Unknon | unknown | |
| Dhondse | Rugvedi | Kanva | Tulja Bhavani | |
| Dhulekar | Rigvedi | ShriVatsa | Unknown | |
| Digde | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Dingre | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Sri Narsimha Swamy of Narsingpur, Maharashtra | |
| Diwan | Rigvedi | Shrivatsa | Yellamma of Soundatti,dharwad & Vitthala of Pandharpur | |
| Diwanjee | Rigvedi | Gautam | Mahalakshmi Temple (Amba-bai) of Kolhapur , Gokul Basveshwar | |
| Dixit | Yajurvedi | Vasishtha | Matambadevi of Trimbakeshwar | |
| Dixit | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Bhavani of Tuljapur and Jyotiba of Kolhapur | |
| Dole | Rigvedi | Bhargav | Mahalakshmi Temple (Amba-bai) of Kolhapur and Jyotiba of Kolhapur | |
| Dravid | Rigvedi | Bharadvaja | Margasaheshvara near Vellore, Tamilnadu, Ambabai of Kolhapur | |
| Dudhmande | Rigvedi | Haritas | Shri Renuka Devi Mahur | |
| Dushi | Yajurvedi | Bhardwaj | Shri Khandoba Of Jejuri, Renuka devi of Mahur | Kharda |
| Edki | Rigvedi | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Ekbote | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Balaji | |
| Erande | Rigvedi | Atri | Bhavani Of Tuljapur | |
| Gabale | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Renuka Of Mahur | |
| Gadakari | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Galgali | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Gandhe | Rigvedi | Bhardwaj | Morgaon Ganpati Mayureshwar,Yamai Devi Rashin, District Ahamadnagar, Jejuri Cha Khandoba | |
| Gangathade | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Renuka mata, Mahur | |
| Garge | Yajurvedi | Gargeya | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Garkhedkar | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) Jejuri Cha Khandoba | A.P. Garkheda Tal. Jamner, Dist. Jalgaon |
| Garud | Yajurvedi | Kaundinya | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Garware | Yajurvedi | Gautam | Balaji of Tirupati | |
| Gaydhani | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Ghatpande | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Ghayal | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Khandoba of Jejuri, Bhavanimata of Tuljapur | |
| Gawfale | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Sri Balaji of Vashim, Maharashtra | |
| Ghirnikar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Sri Venkateshwara Swamy of Tirupati | |
| Gholap | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Ghodke | Yajurvedi | Shandilya | Khandoba of Jejuri, Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur | |
| Ghotkar | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Shree Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded | |
| Girgaonkar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Shree Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded | |
| Gosavi | Yajurvedi | Vasishtha | Shree Khandoba,Bala Tulaja Bhavani,Tlq Phaltan,Satara | Unknown |
| Gosavi | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Unknown | |
| Gumaste | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Shree Malhari-Mhalsakant of Mangasoli, nr. Miraj, Ekvira of Kolhapur | |
| Gunthe | Rigvedi | Vatsa | Aai Bhavani of Tuljapur, Dist. Osmanabad, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Hamine | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Manur Devi of Near Mazalgaon, District Beed. Maharashtra | |
| Hardas | Yajurvedi | Atri | Unknown | Nagpur |
| Hatvalne | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Jejuri khandoba | |
| Hedgewar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Hinge | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Mohiniraj near Newasa | |
| Hirwe | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Inamdar | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur | |
| Ingale | Unknown | GARG | NEERA NARSHIMAPUR | |
| Indurkar | Rigvedi | Gautam | Mahalakshmi Temple | |
| Jatkar | Unknown | Vishwamitra | Shree Bhavani Mata of Tuljapur | |
| Jere | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Unknown | |
| Jambekar | Rigvedi | kaushik | Bhavani of Tuljapur. Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Jamkhedkar | Rigvedi | Bhargava | Unknown | |
| Janorkar | Yajurvedi | Kaushik | Unknown | |
| Javle | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Ekveera Devi of Lonavala | |
| Jinasiwale | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Joshi | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | shriMohiniraj of Newasa | |
| Joshi | Yajurvedi | Bhargav | ShriMohiniraj of Newasa | |
| Joshi | Yajurvedi | vashishtha | shriBhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Joshi | Unknown | Unknown | Shree Yamai Devi of Aundh | |
| Joshi | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Patna devi Chalisgaon, Jalegaon and Khandoba Jejuri, Pune | |
| Joshi | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Yogeshwari devi of Ambejogai,Shree Manudevi Satpuda ,dist.Chopda Jalgaon | Dondaiche dist.Dhule |
| Joshi | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Shree Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded | |
| Joshi | Rigvedi | unknown | Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur | |
| Junnarkar | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Venkateshwara of Tirupati | |
| Kalamkar | Rigvedi | Atri | Mahalakshmi Temple(Ambabai) of Kolhapur | |
| Kadegaonkar | Rigvedi | Vasistha | Bansahankari of Badami, Karnataka | |
| Kale | Yajurvedi | Parashar | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik), Keshav Govind | |
| Kale | Rugvedi | Parashar | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik), Keshav Govind | |
| Kale | Rugvedi | Gautam | Shri Khandoba, Jejuri, Shri Mahalakshmi, Kolhapur and Shri Tuljabhavani, Tuljapur, Maharashtra | |
| Kalwint | Rigvedi | gargya | panchling | |
| Kajale | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Renukadevi of Mahur, District Nanded Maharashtra | |
| Kanade | Rigvedi | Gautam | Tulajabhavani, Tulajapur | |
| Kand | Yajurvedi | Jatukarna | Balkrishna & Kandai Devi of Otur district Ahmadnagar | |
| Kandharkar | Rigvedi | Haritasya | Sri Venkateshwara Swamy of Tirupati | |
| Kandlikar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Sri Venkateshwara Swamy of Tirupati | |
| Kanhegaonkar | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Sri Venkateshwara Swamy of Tirupati | |
| Kanthe | Yajurvedi | Kashyap | Sri Renuka of Mahur | |
| Karhade | Unknown | Vasishtha | Unknown | |
| Karpate | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Kashikar | Yajurvedi | Kaushika | Harihareshwara of Harihar | |
| Kasture | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Renuka of Mahur | |
| Kaujalgikar | Unknown | Vashishtha | Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Kavimandan | Rigvedi | Kaundinya | Bhavanimata of Tuljapur | |
| Kavishwar | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Renuka devi of Mahur, district Nanded | |
| Kaviskar | Unknown | Unknown | Kedarnath dev of Khed, district Ratnagiri | |
| Kenge | Yajurvedi | Kaushik | Renuka Chandwad, Dist Nashik, Khanderao Jejuri Pune | |
| Keskar | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Shree Yamai Devi of Aundh, Shree Siddhanath of Mhaswad, Satara | |
| Kevale | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Khankhoje | Rigvedi | vashistha | Renuka of Mahur | |
| Khair | Unknown | Unknown | Shree Siddhanath of Mhaswad, Satara | |
| Kapde | Yajurvedi | Shandilya | Saptashrungi,Vani | |
| Khedkar | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Sri Narasimha Swamy | |
| Kerhalkar | Rigvedi | Kashyap | Renuka Mata | Jalgaon Jamod (Now in Akola) |
| Khire | Rigvedi | Vashishtha | Shri Malhari Martand(Khandoba),Revdi,Satara. | Revdi,Satara But from 1948 shifted Pune & from 1994 Some live in Thane. |
| Khole | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Khond | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Balaji of Tirupati | |
| Kholkute | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Shree Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded | |
| Khiste | Yajurvedi | Rohinya | Balaji of Tirupati, Renuka of Chandwad, Nasik | |
| Khisti | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Balaji of Tirupati, Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Kinhikar | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Renuka Devi, Mahur, Dist. Nanded | |
| Koranne | Rigvedi | Harith/Vasishtha | Mahalaxmi /Ambabai Kolhapur/Shree Malhari Mhalsakant Khandoba | |
| Kothalkar | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Shri Mohaniraj Maharaj / Nevase , near Ahmednagar | |
| Kotwal | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Shree Malhari Mhalsakant/Khandoba, Nimgaon Dawadi near Pune | |
| Kshirsagar | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Shree Narsimha/Narasimha Laxmi, Neera Narsinghpur, district Pune | |
| Kuber | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Kudrimoti | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Venkateshwara, Balaji, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Vasishta] | LAKSHMI OF HAVALGI and tirupati venkateshwara | KAKKALAMELI,SINDAGI, BIJAPUR, Karnataka |
| Kulkarni | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Ekveera | |
| Kulkarni | Yajuyvedi | Bharadwaj | [Renuka.]Chandwad Dist.Nashik, Khaderao Jejuri Pune | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Vasishta] | Shakhambari of Karnataka | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Laxmi-Narasimha of Islampur, Bhavani Devi of [Tuljapur]] | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Mudgal | Bhavani Mata of Tuljapur,Khandoba of Anadur Near Naldurg | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Dongarai of Kadegaon | |
| Kulkarni | Unknown | Parashar | Unknown | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani Devi of Tuljapur | |
| Kulkarni | Yajurvedi | Kashyap | Yogeshwari Devi of Ambejogai | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Atri | Durga/Amba/Harinai of Bhushangad | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Kashyap | Yamai of Aundh | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Kashyap | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Kulkarni | Yajurvedi | [Vasishta] | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | [Moudgalya] | Renuka (Yellamma)of Saudatti, Karnataka | |
| Kulkarni | Yajurvedi | Gargya | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Kulkarni | Rigvedi | Unknown | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Kumbhojkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Kurhekar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Lahankar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Narasimha, District Parbhani | |
| Lasane | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Likhite | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Lokapur | Rigvedi Vaishnav | unknown | unknown | |
| Lomate | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Lotangane | Yajurvedi | Parashar | Laxmi-Venkatesh of Tirupati,Tirumala and Kolhapur | |
| Luley | unknown | kaushik | Renuka devi of Mahur | |
| Madhavi | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Renuka devi of Mahur, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Mahajan | Yajurvedi shukla madhayandin | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Mahashabde | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Renuka devi of Mahur | |
| Mahulikar | Yajurvedi | Shandilya | Narsimha | |
| Malode | [Yajurvedi] | Kashyap | Bhavani of Tuljapur , Shri Vitthal Pandharpur | |
| Manbhekar | Rigvedi | Kaundanya | Mahalakshmi of Ganoja (Amravati) | |
| Mandake | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Mandlik | Yajurvedi | Shrivatsa | Renuka mata of Ranisavargoan | |
| Mandviker | Yajurvedi | Lohit | Renuka devi of Mahur | |
| Mangalvedhekar | Unknown | Atri | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Mashalkar | Rigvedi | Gautama Maharishi | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Matekar | Rigvedi | Gargeya | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Maybhate | Rigvedi | Atri | Narsimha Temple(Narsimha) of Neera - Narsimhapur | |
| Medhi | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | ShriGanesh | Talegaon Dabhade |
| Melgiri | Rigvedi | Unknown | Sri Venkateshwara Swamy of Tirupati | |
| Mhalagi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Modgi | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Wakadmani of Chaul | |
| Moghe | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Mogre | Yajurvedi | Vashisth | Mahalakshmi Temple (Amba-bai) of Kolhapur | |
| Moharir | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Moholkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Mokashi | Yajurvedi | Dharanya | Saptashrungi mata of Vani (Nashik) | |
| Mokashi | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur,Venkateshwara of Tirupati | |
| Morankar | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Mahalaxmi Kolhapur | |
| Mulay | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Narsimha | |
| Mulay | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra,Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Munje | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Mushrif | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Khanderao Jejuri Pune | |
| Musalgaonkar (Vaidya) | Yajurvedi | Kaundinya | Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur | Musalgaon ( Dist:- Nashik ) |
| Murhekar | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Shri Ekvira Devi Of Murha(Bk), Taluka: Anjangaon, District:Amravati | |
| Mujumdar | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Saptashrungi mata of Vani (Nashik),Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Mujumdar | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Ekvira devi | Miraj |
| Mujumdar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhawani of Tuljapur(Tuljapur),Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Mungale | Yajurvedi | Kutsa | Bhawani of Tuljapur(Tuljapur),Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Mungee | Yajurvedi | Parashar | Renuka mata of Salwan Shrigonda | |
| Nadagouda | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Nadgir | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Narsimha | |
| Naik | Rigvedi Madhwa | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Nanilam | Rigvedi Madhwa | Harithasa | Shree Venkateswara Swamy of Tirupati | Nanilam,Tamil Nadu |
| Nandedkar | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Ambabai of Icchapur Madhya Pradesh,Balaji of Tirupati | |
| Nanoti | Rigvedi | Parashar | Bhavani of Tuljapur Near Solapur, Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Navalgund | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Nisal | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Padalkar | Rigvedi | Gargya | Narasimha of Nira-Narasimhapur Solapur Maharashtra | |
| Pagadi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Pagnis | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Ambabai of Kolhapur,Lord Balaji of Tirupati | Indore, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh |
| Paithankar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Panchpor | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Padmavati, Mahalsakant of Pali | Venegaon Dist.Satara |
| Panse | Rigvedi | Mudgal | Bhavanimata of Tuljapur, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Pandit | Yajurvedi | Bhargav | Saptashrungi of Vani(Nashik) /Chandika/Chamunda/Chamundi(Mysore) | |
| Pandharkar | Rigvedi | Gargya | Renukamata of Mahur | Dharangaon, Dist. Jalgaon |
| Pangarkar | Rigvedi | Harit | Shree Balaji of Tirupati | |
| Pangaonkar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Tulja-Bhavani of Tuljapur. Khanderao of Bale, Sholapur. | |
| Pant | Unknown | Unknown | Shree Yamai Devi of Aundh | |
| Parasnis | Rigvedi | Kaushik | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Paralkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Parkhe | Rigvedi | Vasishta | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik), Khandoba - Jejuri, Tulja Bhavani | |
| Parkhi | Rigvedi | Vasishta | Khandoba of Jejuri, Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Parnaik | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Paropkari | Rigvedi | |||
| Pasarkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Pathak | Yajurvedi/Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Mhalsadevi Of Ahmednagar & Venkatesh Of Tirupati & [Yamai]] Devi of Aundh, District Satara, Khandoba Of Jejuri | Interior as well as border line districts of Maharashtra and northern Karnataka |
| Pathak | Yajurvedi | Bhardwaj | Unknown | |
| Pathak | Yajurvedi | [Vatsa]] | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Patharkar | Yajurvedi | Kaundinya | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Patki | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Narsimha of Wadi | |
| Patki | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Patki | Rigvedi | Atri | LaxmiNarsimh,Tuljabhavani,Shakambhari,Khandoba | |
| Patodekar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Pattarkine | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Venkateshwara of Tirupati | |
| Pattekar | Rigvedi | Vashishta | PatteDevi of Patte | |
| Peshwe | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Petkar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Venkateshwara of Tirupati Ambabai of Kolhapur or Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Pimplikar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Pimpli |
| Pimple | Yajurvedi | krishnatray | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Pimpalgaonkar[Kulkarni] | Rigvedi | kashyap | Narsinha-Nira narsingpur,Devi-Tuljapur,khandoba-Malegaon. | [pimpalgaon-tonga]-now pashim lohta,tq.kallam,dist.osmanabad. |
| Pingale,Pingle | Rigvedi | Koushik,Kashyap | Khandoba of Jejuri, Saptashrungi Niwasini of Vani (Nashik),Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur Maharashtra | |
| Pohnerkar | Yajurvedi | Maunas | Bhavani of Tuljapur | Pohner on Godavari River in Beed District, Maharashtra |
| Pol | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Potdar | Rigvedi | Kaundinya | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Potdar | Rigvedi | Haritasya | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Potnis | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded, Maharashtra | |
| Prabhune | Rigvedi | Gargya | Unknown | |
| Prasad | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Unknown | |
| Prasade | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Pratham | Rigvedi | Kshalaksha | Bhagwati of Chaul, Alibag, District Raigad, Maharashtra | |
| Pujar | Rigvedi | Gautama | Malhari Martanda | |
| Pujari | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Ekvira (Ekvira devi) of Kolhapur | |
| Punde | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Puntambekar | Rigvedi | Vasishta | Shree Yamai Devi of Aundh, District Satara | Puntamba, District Ahmadnagar, Maharashtra |
| Purandare | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Mahalakshmi (Amba-bai) of Kolhapur, Khandoba | |
| Puranik | Rigvedi | Shrivatsa | Chandrala Parmeshwari of Sannati, District Gulbarga | |
| Purkar | Unknown | Unknown | Narsevha | |
| Rajadnya | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Jyotiba, Ekveera Devi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra | Kolhapur |
| Rajankar | Yajurvedi | Kashyap | Shri Balaji Of Tirupati, Rudrayani devi of Rajankhed Akola | Washim |
| Railkar | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Rajpathak | Yajurvedi | Katyayan | Renuka Devi, Mahur, Nanded, Maharashtra | |
| Rajguru | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Rao | Rigvedi | Athreyasya | Kamakshi MahaLakshmi | |
| Rasal | Yajurvedi | Gautam | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Ratnaparkhi | Rigvedi | Gargeya | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Ravetkar | Rigvedi | Viswamitra | Saptashrungi of Vani (Nashik)Ravet | |
| Rayrikar | Rigvedi | Atri | Khandoba of Jejuri,Mahalakshmi Temple (Ambabai) of Kolhapur | |
| Rekhi | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | |
| Relkar | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Rel/Kutasa, Tal Akot,Dist Akola |
| Ron | Rigvedi Madhava | Kashyapa | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Rotkar | Rigvedi | Shandilya | Venkateshwara of Tirupati | |
| Rotwadkar | Yajurvedi | Kashyapa | Saptashrungi of Vani Nashik | |
| Sabnis | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Yamai of Aundh | |
| Salgarkar | Rigvedi | Atri | Unknown | Unknown |
| Sambre | Rigvedi | Bhardwaj | Saptashrungi of Vani Nashik | |
| Samudra | Yajurvedi | Vatsa | Renuka of Mahur, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Samvatsar | Rigvedi | Aatri | Renuka of Mahur | |
| Sant | Rigvedi | Kashyapaor Mudgal | Saptashrungi of Nanduri Nashik,khandoba,Renuka devi- Mahur | |
| Saptarishi | Yajurvedi | Upmanyu | Renuka of Mahur,Mohaniraj,Narasimha | Unknown |
| Saraf | Yajurvedi | Bhardwaj | Balaji of Tirupati | Unknown |
| Saswadkar | Unknown | Unknown | Banashankari of Badami, Karnataka | Saswad, District Pune, Maharashtra |
| Sastikar | Unknown | Bhardwaj | Shri Ram | Unknown |
| Satbhai | Rigvedi | Kapil | Unknown | Unknown |
| Sevekari | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Shaligram | Rigvedi | Haritasa | Khandoba of Jejuri | Unknown |
| Shamji | Rigvedi | Bhardwaja | Tirupati Sreenivasa | Unknown |
| Shastri | Rigvedi | Kaushika | Bhavani of Tuljapur | Tuljapur, Osmanabad District |
| Shende | Rigvedi | Koushik | Banashankari of Badami, Karnataka | Unknown |
| Shende | Unknown | Kashyapa | Mahalakshmi Temple (Ambabai) of Kolhapur | Unknown |
| Shende | Yajurvedi | Bharadwaj | Balaji of Chimur | Unknown |
| Shirolikar | Rigvedi | Unknown | Dattatreya of Narsobawadi, Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Shouche | Yajurvedi | Vasishtha | Matambadevi of Trimbakeshwar | Nasik |
| Shrivatsa | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Shukla | Rigvedi | Vishwamitra | Khandoba of Pali, Banashankari of Badami | Unknown |
| Shukla | Yajurvedi | Atri | Rama, Saptashrungidevi of Vani (Nashik) | Unknown |
| Sirdeshmukh | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Khandoba of Pali | Unknown |
| Sulekar | Rigvedi | Gautam | Bhavani Mata of Tuljapur | Unknown |
| Supanekar | Rigvedi | Kaushik | Khandoba of Pali | Unknown |
| Tadwalkar | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj | Bhawani of Tuljapur | Unknown |
| Tagat | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Takalkar | Rigvedi | Haritas | Venkatesh of Tirupati | |
| Talpallikar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Tamane | Rigvedi | Haritasya | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Tapasvi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Tare | Rigvedi | Atri | Renukamata Of Mahur | Unknown |
| Tasgaonkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Tayade, Tayde | Yejurvedi | Kashyapa | Mahalakshmi Temple (Ambabai) of Kolhapur,Ambabai of Ganoja | Nagpur,yeotmal, khamgaon, pune,mumbai,miraj, ghatanji, Umari(kapeshwar) |
| Thakar | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Mahalakshmi Temple (Ambabai) of Kolhapur | Unknown |
| Thosar | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Thite | Rigvedi | [Kashyapa] | Tuljapur ambabhavani | Thite village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra |
| Tipre | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Tongaonkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Todkar | Yajurvedi | Kaundinya | Balaji of Tirupati | |
| Tope | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Udgir | Rigvedi | Gautam | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Balaji of Tirupati | |
| Upadhye | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Upasani | Yajurvedi | Saindhavayan | Mahalakshmi Temple (Amba-bai) of Kolhapur, Khandoba of Jejuri | |
| Utpat | Rigvedi | Vasishtha | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Vaidya | Rigvedi | Shrivatsa | Bhavani of Tuljapur, Narasimha of Parbhani | |
| Vaidya | Yajurvedi | Gautam | Kakmasha Mata of Karnataka | |
| Vajurkar | Yajurvedi | Maunas | Bhavani of Tuljapur | |
| Vatsaraj | Rigvedi | Jamadagni | Unknown | |
| Visal | Yajurvedi | Katyayan | Khandoba of Jejuri, Shri Saptashrungi Niwasini of Vani (Nashik), Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Vyawahare | Rigvedi | Bharadwaj,Kutsa | Shri Saptashrungi Niwasini of Vani (Nashik), Maharashtra,Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Vyawahare | Rigvedi | Kutsa | Shri Saptashrungi Niwasini of Vani (Nashik), Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Wadegaonkar | Rigvedi | Mudgal | Renuka of Mahur, District Nanded. Maharashtra | Unknown |
| Wadekar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Wadikar | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Wagh | Rigvedi | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Waikar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Wavade | Yajurvedi | Unknown | Jakhai Pimpali of Nandurbar | Unknown |
| Walimbe | Rigvedi | Vasishta | Khandoba of Nimgaon | Unknown |
| Yadkikar | Rigvedi | Munibhargava | Tirupati Balaji & Ambabai of Kolhapur | Unknown |
| Yedurkar | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Zadgaonkar | Rigvedi | Kashyapa | Shri Datta Guru of Karanja | |
| Zare | Rigvedi | Kaundinya | Mata- Ekveera Devi | Unknown |
| Zanpure | unknown | Bharadwaj | Venkateshwara of Tirupati |