Bardai Brahmin
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Bardai Brahmins refers to a group of Brahmins whose ancestors originate from the state of Gujarat in India. They are found mainly in the coastal city of Porbandar.
Origin
Being the major city in the Barda Plains, Bardai Brahmins settled in the outlying villages migrated to this city in search of a better urban life and access to various amenities including education. Porbandar became the window to the world and then essentially it became the doorway to the outside world. It was from here that migrations not only to other cities of India or Asia occurred but being a sea port it was only matter of time before Bardai Brahmins traveled via sea routes to initially (in the period 1910-1960) Africa and subsequently (chiefly from 1965 onwards) to other continents (Europe and America). Indeed, most of the Bardai Brahmins settled in the west have arrived in the west via this route. Therefore, for Bardai Brahmins who may not have set foot in India, having been born in Africa or in the west, Porbandar is still considered as the ancestral home city.
Surnames and Kuldevis
Bardai Brahmins can be identified by their surnames: Thanki, Chhelavda, Joshi, Labadiya, Thanky, Acharya, Bapodara, Bambhanya, Bhogayata, Pandya, Davé, Kinderkhedia, Mehta, Pandit, Purohit, Rajyaguru, Sanathara, Sthanakiya, Sthanki, and Sharma.
Each surname or group of surnames (gotra) is associated with a Kuldevi (Goddess)
Kuldevis
- Ashapura, Samudri - Thanki, Dave, Sthankiya, Thanky, Pandit
- Annpurna, bhattajogani - Joshi.
- Chamunda Mataji ,Mahalaxmi mataji - Pandya
- Chandrabhaga Mataji - Labadiya
- Balvima, Suriaai Maa, Lakhandevi Maa- Mandva - Modha
- Bhavani - Acharya
- Gatradma - Sanathara
- Harsidhima - Bhogayata
- Momai Maa - Rajyaguru
- Vagheshwarima - Bambhanya
- Vindhyavasini - Bapodara, Chhelavda
- Abhyay Maa - Arambhadiya
References
Labadiya - Chandrabhaga maa