Ojha
The term Ojha is a surname for Maithil Brahmin castes of India and Nepal. The term is used amongst speakers of Hindi, Oriya and Bengali, as well as amongst the Santals. This term has been derived from Sanskrit over time. Literal translations vary, but one such example is "he who controls the spirits on Earth".
It is also an often used last-name in Nepal. There, Ojhas belong to the first caste, the spirit leaders and teachers, placed even above the King (who always comes off the second caste of kings and warriors). First caste is the enlightenment and inner development specialists. Including exorcism (driving out evil spirits), Ojha can also be a healer, or a teacher, such as of a religious dance. Right now there are still many Ojhas practicing their traditional occupations, such as astrology too.
NOTE:- Till now the above information is for 'Jha' surname and not 'ojha'. Below onwards information refers to 'Ojha' surname.
Prominently Ojhas are located in UP and Bihar. But you can find them in Bengal, Orrisa and Gujrat as well. Main profession of this community revolves around education. OJHAs are not the MATHILs. basically they are divided into two categories 1>SaruParin 2>KanyaKubj they come at top level of Brahmin's community.
Exorcism
In Indian culture, Ojha is also the name given to the profession of an exorcist or a spirit healer.[1][2] These 'professionals' can be found practicing their work all across India, albeit with different modes of operation. Bollywood and TV have continued to fuel the stereotype about 'Ojhas' by portraying them as humans with superpowers, who can control ghosts and remove evil spirits from human bodies.
References
- ^ Frederick M. Smith (2006). The self possessed: deity and spirit possession in South Asian literature and civilization. Columbia University Press. p. 143. ISBN 9780231137485.
- ^ Morton Klass (2003). Mind over mind: the anthropology and psychology of spirit possession. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 49. ISBN 9780742526778.