Utkala Brahmin
Encyclopedia
Utkala Brahmin also known as Oriya or Orissa Brahmins, is a Varna (caste) from the India
n state of Orissa
previously known as Utkala Kingdom
, Kalinga Kingdom
& neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh
, West Bengal
& Jharkhand
.
,the land of Utkala is the holy land in Bharata Varsha where Purusottama Kshetra is situated.It is mentioned in India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana
.The Utkala Kingdom was also known as Kalinga
,Dakshina Koshal,Kangoda,Odra Desha,Odra Vishaya,Dandabhukti,Odabadi,Yajanagar,Uddisa Subah etc. in different time period of.The boundary of Utkala region was from mouth of river Ganges in the north to river Godavari in the south and Amarkantak
hills in the west to Bay of Bengal
in the east.Surya Vamsi emperor of Orissa Gajapti Kapilendra Dev renamed his kingdom from Utkala to Orissa
Rastra. Later British East India Company occupied parts of the state and renamed it as Orissa
.On November 9, 2010 the name of the state was again changed to Orissa
.
Utkala Brahmins,branch of Pancha-Gauda Brahmins are the farthest branch of the Panch-Gauda in the east, south of Maithil
s. Panch-Gauda and Panch-Dravida are two chief divisions of Brahmins, as per the śloka
from Rājatarangini of / Kalhana
:
Translation: The Karnātakas, Tailangas, Dravidas, Mahārāshtrakās and Gurjaras; these five types who live south of Vindhya mountains are called "five Dravidas" Brahmins.
The Sarasvatas, Kanyakubjas, Gaudas, Utkalas, and Maithil
s, who live north of Vindhya mountains are known as "five Gaudas" Brahmins.
And a medieval Upapurana
named Kapila Purana
says
tributary. Huen Tsang also wrote about massive Yajna
s and the holy smoke coming from villages nearby Vaitarani River
, when he visited the monasteries in Kalinga
. Following 8th century many Brahmins from Hastigrama, Takari of Magadha
and upper gangetic plain also migrated to coastal districts. Finally the Eastern Ganga dynasty
brought more number of Brahmins from all over North India, esp Kannauj
, Ujjain
and Ahichatra
. As Orissa or then Utkala grew to a effluent kingdom, many Brahmins of Godavari delta region also migrated to settle in Mahanadi
basin. Still the Paippalada shakhins of Atharvaveda
claim to belong to upper Mahanadi
and Narmada
basin, and migrated to Orissa during late 11th century.
.They occupy 9% of the total Oriya
speaking population of Orissa
The Sanskrit text by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri mentions according to which a king named Utkala invited Brahmins from Gangetic Valley for performing a yajna in Jagannath
-Puri
; when the yajna
ended the invited Brahmins laid the foundation of the Lord Jagannath
there and settled there for serving the Lord.
Another Sanskrit text mentions ślokas which say a king named Sudyumna was born of King Ila in the dynasty ; Sudyumna had three sons who founded independent kingdoms : one son Utkala founded the state Utkala with capital at Puri
, another son Gaya founded Gayā in Bihar and third son Haritāśca went to south. The King Utkala Deva invited Brahmins from Gangetic velly and settlled them in his kingdom.
Brahminism seems to have flourished in Orissa under the Mathara rulers between the 4th and 5th century AD. The Sailodbhava rulers made arrangements for the study of Vedic wisdom and an Ashwamedha sacrifice was performed by King Madhav Varman in 7th century. In the time of Keshari rulers, Shaivism gained importance. In 9th century Utkalaadhipati Yajati Keshari, to preserve the sancity & purity of Brahminism, brought 10,000 Brahmins from gangetic valley and Kannauj
and settled them in his capital Yajati Nagar or Yajna pura(modern day Jajpur).The Jajpur area was once famous for organising Somayajna, Shrauta karma. Its a famous site for the performance of ancestral rites,known as Nabhi Gaya
.
Utkala Brahmins are responsible for priestly and related functions at the Jagannath Temple
in Puri
(also known as Jagannath Puri) and other temples in earstwhile Orissa
rulers and their feudatories. Puri where famous Jagannath deity is installed and one of the four holiest religious place of Hindus.They are responsible for priestly functions of other religious places of the state of Orissa and of neighbouring states.
In 11th century AD Ganga Vamsi King Chodaganga Dev renovated the existing Jagannath temple at Puri.He established Brahmin villages around Puri
which are known as "Sashan" and bestowed them with land and other endowments for living a dignified life and dedicated to ritualistic responsibility. Six categories of duties were assigned to them - study, teaching, performing,Yagna and help in organizing Yagna, donate andto receive the donation (Adhyayana, Adhyapana,Yajna, Yaajana, Dana and Pratigraha).
Several Brahmin villages established by the Surya Vamsi king of Orissa Gajapapati Kapilendra dev in 15th century A.D..Each village devoted to a hundred Brahmin families with adequate tax free land.
All the monarchs of Orissa and their feudatories have constructed temples, roads, ghats, tanks and established settlement for Brahmins with tax-free homestead land and agricultural holdings.
is the permanent president of Muktimandap. He is entitled to sit on Muktimandap on Asan or floormatwhich is not allowed to any other person.Ramachandara Dev, the first king of Bhoi
Dynasty installed as Raja of Khurda is said to have renovated the Muktimandap with 16 pillars.He recognized 16 Brahmin villages(Known as Shohala Sasan Village) and the leader Brahmin of those villages seat in the Muktimandap.
The Brahmin Pundits in the Mukti Mandapa adjudicate intracaste and intravillage disputes and offer prescription (Vyabastha) containing purificatory advice (Prayaschita Vidhi) for different social sins.
Again there are sub-classes in these three classes:
1."Shrautriya Brahmins":The Brahmins following Shrauta tradition, have right to read and teach Vedas and hence are known as Vedic Brahmins or Namaskaraniya.They do Yajna
,Yaajana,Adhyayana,Adhyapana,Daana,Pratigraha.They are also known as Kulina,Vaidika,Danua etc. They give more importance to Veda,daily upasana and agnihotra.Only These group of brahmins have right to conduct Yaagas and teach Vedas.
Sub classes:
a)Kalinga Shrauta Brahmins:The Brahmins who have come from undivided regions of previous Dhenkanal
, Cuttack
, Puri
and Ganjam
.They follow the samanta panjika or Sri Jagannath
panjika
.They stay south of Brahmani River
,hence their name.
b)Jajpuria Shrauta Brahmins:the sub-class which has come from Jajpur
and north orissa area.They follow Sri Viraja panjika
.They stay north of Brahmani River
.First settled in areas around Baitarani River
.
These above two sub-classes are eligible to perform Shrauta rites,they abstain from doing temple services and they seldom intermarry with other brahmins.
2."Sevayata Brahmins" or Saruaa:They are also known as Sevaka,Sarua,Purohita or Pushpalaka Brahmins,they follow the Karmakanda and sometimes act as priests for social as well for some temple functions. They give more importance to temple worship,and priesthood.They don't have right to organise Yaaga, whereas they can read Veda and teach it.Some of them follow Agama
also.The Sevayata(Ashrauta) section of Brahmins are divided into three sub-classes as follows:
a)Devalaka(Deyulia)Brahmins: Surnames Badapanda,Pujapanda etc.Their chief occupation is the service of the temple Gods and Goddesses.Many of them expertise in Vedic Karmakanda(rites for marriage,upanayan etc) as well as Agama
(temple worship).Most of the Daitapati sevayatas of Jagannath Temple,Puri and Lingaraj Temple belong to this sub class.Most of the temple in Orissa have this sub class of Brahmins as chief priests.
b)Paniyari(Panda)Brahmins: Surnames majorly Panda.They also form the priestly section,for some rites and some do temple services. some of them are cooks in temples and even in private houses , and travel all around India for pilgrims to visit the temples of Jagannāth.Some of them are engaged in business and trade of Agricultural products.They have high percentage of population among all Oriya Brahmins.
c)Aranyaka(Jhadua)Brahmins:Also known as Panchadesi and Jhadua or Jharia.Literally meaning those inhabiting the hilly and forest areas of Western Orissa.Priestly section of Western Orissa.They were first settlers in Sambalpur
, Sonepur
. They marry among themselves, and later other Utkala Brahmin immigrants to Western Orissa & Chhattisgarh
refuse to intermarry with them.Mostly they have sects like Raghunathia,Kanojia,Pujari etc.
3."Halua Brahmins":These are similar to Bhumihar
in north India
and Niyogi
s of Andhra Pradesh
.They are also known as Balaramgotri or Mahasthana Brahmins.Generally with surname 'Thakur','Grampradhan','Choudhury','Nayak','Sahu','Samantray','Sabat', 'Muni'.Once they enjoyed same status as above brahmins but later they accepted vocational jobs for livelihood and gave up their sacred duty of Shrauta and Smriti
. These are engaged in agriculture or agriculture related business.Some of them are allowed to do Shraadh and associate in temples and religious functions.They are never allowed for any Vedik rites or Yajna
.Most of them are business- oriented, also do cultivation of lands granted during Eastern Ganga dynasty
but have entirely lost their sacerdital rites and living in and around Orissa and Srikakulam district,Andhra Pradesh. For the purchase of the land many of them migrated to other country. There is also a significant migrant population of Haluas in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and others.
Russel noted one exceptional feature at Jagannātha Temple of Puri : "All castes now eat the rice cooked at the temple of Jagannath together without defilement, and friendships are cemented by eating of little of this rice together as sacred bond.".
may vary family to family in all of the above Shrotriyas and Sevayatas.
Majority of them follow Kaanva Shakha(କାଣ୍ବ ଶାଖା) of Shukla Yajurveda or Kauthuma(କୌଥୁମ ଶାଖା) shakha of Samaveda
.Whereas Brahmins belonging Shakala shakha of Rigveda
and Paippalada shakha of Atharvaveda
are less.It is thought that Rigveda
Brahmins exist due to Govardhana matha
of Adi Shankara
.
The Paippalada Shakha of Atharvaveda
in Orissa
should be noted for its existence till now,although by few scholars.They trace their origin from Narmada
basin,supposed that they migrated during Eastern Ganga Dynasty
.Many Brahmins having surname Upadhyaya and Acharya have Paippalada shaakha as their family Shakha.
The sutra of different shakha people are
& Pravara
parampara are followed in families of utkaliya Brahmins.
During Vivaha, sandhyavandana
and other ceremonies it is revered.Brahmins avoid marriages with family of same gotra and pravara.Different gotras trace to original seven Sapta Rishis,i.e.Atri
, Bhrigu, Angiras, Kashyapa, Vashishta, Vishwamitra and Agastya
Other gotras which are rare are Dalabhya
, Uddalaka, Katyayana
, Upamanyu
, Yaska
, Barhishena, etc.
in month of Jyaistha.Maha Vishuva Sankranti, Nabanna
,Chitalagi Amavasya,Jhulan Yatra, Devasnan purnima
,Rahasa Yatra, Raja Parva
, Rath Yatra
, Durga Puja
, Gamha Purnima or Upakarma
, Janmashtami,Sudasha vrata, Deepavali,Savitri vrata,Manabasha Gurubar Laxmi Puja
,Pousha Purnima, Samba Dashami
, Makar Sankranti, Saraswati Puja,Dwitibahana Osha, Kumar Purnima, Prathamastami
, Mahalaya Pitrupakshya,Bijaya Chaturdasi, Shivaratri, Dol Yatra
,Ashokastami,Rama Navami,Jaulei Panchami, Rekha Panchami, etc.are observed in the villages throughout the yearwith utmost religious sanctity.On the day Gamha Purnima all the elderly persons of Sasan congregate and decide about the traditional share of the family called 'Pali' and 'Hakara' and resolve important problems of the Sasan villages. The 'bali' tradition or animal sacrifice still continues in many Sasan villages before the Village Goddess'Gramadevati' during Durga Puja. Fire work or Bana are also associated with the festivities.
The "Sohala Sasana" or "Sixteen Brahmin Villages" around Puri are integreted in the Jagannath Temple culture in ritualistic way. On Pushyabhiseka or Debabhiseka day occurring onfullmoon day of 'Pausa' month or January,representatives of Sasan villages use to bless theGajapati king and worship Lord Jagannath. And on 'Sunia' day occurring in Bhadraba i.e.September, Sasan Brahmins use to congregate in the palace of the Gajapati king during thecelebration of commencement of the new Regnal Year.During sixteen days of Durga Puja the SasanBrahmins are associated with worshipping ofGoddess Bimala and other local Goddesses. OnRukmini vivaha or the Marriage ceremony ofLord Sri Krishna or Sri Jagannath, SasanBrahmins are also invited. On the 7th day of thedark fortnight of 'Karttika' month i.e. November,Sola Sasana Bhoga or a grand offering ofMahaprasada to Lord Jagannath is held in whichalmost Brahmins from every Sasan village take part.
Shrotriyas are still strict lacto vegetarian
s who abandon garlic
, onion
and some varieties of gourds and Masoor dal, apart from non vegeterian food.Some of the oriya bramhins are pesco vegetarian
s ,which shows the close influence of Shaktism
. But Shakta
Utkala bramhins don't eat any kind of meat except fish(still chicken is conidered taboo by many) and sacrificial mutton.Some Utkala Brahmins authorise bali or sacrificial meat, which is offered to Devi
,in Nuakhai
and Durga Puja
or any Yajna
can be taken by all brahmins.
Most of the Utkala Brahmins share the common foods which are present in Oriya cuisine
,and show fondness to sweets
and Pitha
s which are speciality of Orissa.
, Dikshit (Dixit), Debta or Devata, Dash
or Dash sharma, Mishra
, Dhar, Sharma
, Chaturvedi
, Nath, Kar, Tripathy, Bhatt-Mishra, Nanda, Guru
, Rajguru, Rayguru, Mahapatra, Bishi, Patra, Panigrahi, Mohapatra(all of them), Rath
& Rath Sharma(belonging to Atreya
gotra), Patri, Satapathy
, Sadangi
or Sarangi,Bahinipati,Thakur,Chaini(found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur), Pati, Vedi, Dwivedi, Trivedi, Upadhyaya, Palo (Pala or Pal in Orissa not Bengal), Pattajoshi, Joshi
, Nayak, Panda, BadaPanda, Barpanda, Muni, PujaPanda, Praharaj, Padhi, Pani, Paathi, Purohit
, Pujari
, Behera (found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur), Sar, Sabat, Gantayat, Suara, Mahasuara, Garabadu, Sabata, Choudhury, Sahu, Dyansamantray, Nepak, Khadanga, Devasharma, Udgata, Hota, Otta, Bebarta.
According to Pundit Narayana Shiromani,(late 18th century) the gotra
decides the surname.He mentions that
Gautama gotra have surname DharaSharma, Bharadwaja
gotra have KaraSharma, Kashyapa gotra people should keep Nanda or AnandaSharma, Atreya
gotra people should keep RathSharma, Kaushika and Vatsa
gotra have DashShrama.These above gotra Brahmins are considered as topmost among Utkal Brahmins.Rest all are Sharma or Devasharmas.
In certain areas Utkal Brahmin surnames are unique and are similar to the surnames of Vaishya,Kshatriya and Shudras.These surnames were given to the Brahmins either by Gajapati King or by his fuedotory kings as punishment or reward.In course of time this title became the surname, and the subsequent generations inherited it.E.g. Behera (found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur,their surnames were changed from Mishra or Dash to Behera),Bahinipati,Senapati,Sabat,Pradhan,Swain,jena,Mohapatra etc.Some people with 'Mohapatra' title are Brahmins and others are Karanas or belong to lower castes.
During the reign of Gajapati empire the Utkal Brahmins were migrated to Purulia
, Midnapore
, Bankura
& Hoogly
districts of West Bengal as representative of the Gajapati King since those areas were under the monarch of Orissa.Their surnames are Singhamahapatra,Sinhamahapatra,Sanigrahi(transformed from Panigrahi),Panda,Pati,patra,Padhi,Pahari etc.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
previously known as Utkala Kingdom
Utkala Kingdom
Utkala Kingdom was located in the northern and eastern portion of the modern-day Indian state of Orissa. This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, with the names Utkala, Utpala, Okkal and Odra desha...
, Kalinga Kingdom
Kalinga Kingdom
Kalinga forms the sea shore of Orissa and Andhra region of Andhra pradesh state in India. Kuru king Duryodhana's wife was from Kalinga. Kalingas sided with Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War...
& neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
& Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
.
Background
The Utkala Kingdom was located in the eastern portion of the modern-day Indian state of Orissa. This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, with the names Utkala , Utpala , Odra Desha,Oddyana and Okkali.The name of Utkal is mentioned in the Puranas,Epics and different religious text book.According to Skanda PuranaSkanda Purana
The Skanda Purana is the largest Mahapurana, a genre of eighteen Hindu religious texts. The text is devoted mainly to the lilas of Kartikeya , a son of Shiva and Parvati. It also contains a number of legends about Shiva, and the holy places associated with him...
,the land of Utkala is the holy land in Bharata Varsha where Purusottama Kshetra is situated.It is mentioned in India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana
Jana Gana Mana
Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem of India. Written in highly Sanskritized Bengali, it is the first of five stanzas of a Brahmo hymn composed and scored by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911...
.The Utkala Kingdom was also known as Kalinga
Kalinga
Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north...
,Dakshina Koshal,Kangoda,Odra Desha,Odra Vishaya,Dandabhukti,Odabadi,Yajanagar,Uddisa Subah etc. in different time period of.The boundary of Utkala region was from mouth of river Ganges in the north to river Godavari in the south and Amarkantak
Amarkantak
Amarkantak is a pilgrim town and a nagar panchayat in Anuppur District in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Also called "Teerthraj" , Amarkantak region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum...
hills in the west to Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
in the east.Surya Vamsi emperor of Orissa Gajapti Kapilendra Dev renamed his kingdom from Utkala to Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
Rastra. Later British East India Company occupied parts of the state and renamed it as Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
.On November 9, 2010 the name of the state was again changed to Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
.
Utkala Brahmins,branch of Pancha-Gauda Brahmins are the farthest branch of the Panch-Gauda in the east, south of Maithil
Maithil
Maithil properly means the native speaker of Maithili language, and includes all the natives of Mithila. They are natives of some districts south of the Ganges near Bhagalpur and Monghyr, most of North Bihar and adojining Terai of Nepal. All castes living in Mithila and speaking Maithili are Maithils...
s. Panch-Gauda and Panch-Dravida are two chief divisions of Brahmins, as per the śloka
Sloka
Sloka may refer to:* Sloka, Latvia, a neighbourhood of Jūrmala, Latvia* Sloka meter, a Sanskrit meter* Śloka, a Hindu prayer* Sloka Gora, a small settlement in central Slovenia* Sloka...
from Rājatarangini of / Kalhana
Kalhana
Kalhana , a Kashmiri, was the author of Rajatarangini , an account of the history of Kashmir. He wrote the work in Sanskrit between 1148 and 1149. All information regarding his life has to be deduced from his own writing, a major scholar of which is Mark Aurel Stein...
:
Translation: The Karnātakas, Tailangas, Dravidas, Mahārāshtrakās and Gurjaras; these five types who live south of Vindhya mountains are called "five Dravidas" Brahmins.
The Sarasvatas, Kanyakubjas, Gaudas, Utkalas, and Maithil
Maithil
Maithil properly means the native speaker of Maithili language, and includes all the natives of Mithila. They are natives of some districts south of the Ganges near Bhagalpur and Monghyr, most of North Bihar and adojining Terai of Nepal. All castes living in Mithila and speaking Maithili are Maithils...
s, who live north of Vindhya mountains are known as "five Gaudas" Brahmins.
And a medieval Upapurana
Upapurana
The Upapuranas are a genre of Hindu religious texts consisting of a large number of compilations differentiated from the Mahapuranas by styling them as secondary Puranas by using a disparaging prefix Upa...
named Kapila Purana
Kapila Purana
The Kapila Purana is a Hindu religious text. The text is considered as one of the 18 Upapuranas. It contains 21 chapters which mostly narrate glories about the puņyakṣetras of Utkala. It subsequently describes the greatness of Purusottama Kshetra, Viraja Kshetra, Maiterya Vana, and Ekamra...
says
Early Migration Of Brahmins To Orissa
Keshari dynasty established massive Brahmin Bhatta-Agrahara and Bhatta-Grama around Jajpur and Vaitarani RiverBaitarani River
The Baitarani River or River Vaitarani is one of six major rivers of Orissa, India. Venerated in popular epics and legends, the Baitarani River is a source of water for agricultural irrigation. Most of the potentially arable land in the area is not under cultivation. The coastal plain of Orissa...
tributary. Huen Tsang also wrote about massive Yajna
Yajna
In Hinduism, yajna is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes...
s and the holy smoke coming from villages nearby Vaitarani River
Baitarani River
The Baitarani River or River Vaitarani is one of six major rivers of Orissa, India. Venerated in popular epics and legends, the Baitarani River is a source of water for agricultural irrigation. Most of the potentially arable land in the area is not under cultivation. The coastal plain of Orissa...
, when he visited the monasteries in Kalinga
Kalinga
Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north...
. Following 8th century many Brahmins from Hastigrama, Takari of Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
and upper gangetic plain also migrated to coastal districts. Finally the Eastern Ganga dynasty
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty reigned from Kalinga and their rule consisted of the whole of the modern day Indian state of Orissa as well as parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 11th century to the early 15th century. Their capital was known by the name Kalinganagar, which is...
brought more number of Brahmins from all over North India, esp Kannauj
Kannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
, Ujjain
Ujjain
Ujjain , is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River , today part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative centre of Ujjain District and Ujjain Division.In ancient times the city was called Ujjayini...
and Ahichatra
Ahichatra
Ahichatra was the ancient capital of Northern Panchala, a northern Indo-Aryan kingdom mentioned in Mahabharata. The remains of this city has been discovered near Ramnagar village in Aonla tehsil of Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh state. The excavations have brought to life a brick fortification...
. As Orissa or then Utkala grew to a effluent kingdom, many Brahmins of Godavari delta region also migrated to settle in Mahanadi
Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
basin. Still the Paippalada shakhins of Atharvaveda
Atharvaveda
The Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
claim to belong to upper Mahanadi
Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
and Narmada
Narmada
Narmada may refer to:* Narmada River of central India* Narmada district of Gujarat, India* The Narmada Dam Project, involving the construction of a series of large irrigation and hydroelectric multi purpose dams on the Narmada River in India...
basin, and migrated to Orissa during late 11th century.
Origin of Utkala Brahmins
In the phylogenetic tree, the Orissa Brahmins showed close affinity to populations of North IndiaNorth India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
.They occupy 9% of the total Oriya
Oriya language
Oriya , officially Odia from November, 2011, is an Indian language, belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. It is mainly spoken in the Indian states of Orissa and West Bengal...
speaking population of Orissa
The Sanskrit text by Pt. Harikrishna Śāstri mentions according to which a king named Utkala invited Brahmins from Gangetic Valley for performing a yajna in Jagannath
Jagannath
Jagannath is a transcendental non-anthropotheistic Hindu god worshiped primarily by the people of Indian state of Orissa, and, to a great extent, West Bengal...
-Puri
Puri
Puri is district headquarter, a city situated about south of state capital Bhubaneswar, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Orissa. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the Jagannath Temple . It is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages...
; when the yajna
Yajna
In Hinduism, yajna is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes...
ended the invited Brahmins laid the foundation of the Lord Jagannath
Jagannath
Jagannath is a transcendental non-anthropotheistic Hindu god worshiped primarily by the people of Indian state of Orissa, and, to a great extent, West Bengal...
there and settled there for serving the Lord.
Another Sanskrit text mentions ślokas which say a king named Sudyumna was born of King Ila in the dynasty ; Sudyumna had three sons who founded independent kingdoms : one son Utkala founded the state Utkala with capital at Puri
Puri
Puri is district headquarter, a city situated about south of state capital Bhubaneswar, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Orissa. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the Jagannath Temple . It is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages...
, another son Gaya founded Gayā in Bihar and third son Haritāśca went to south. The King Utkala Deva invited Brahmins from Gangetic velly and settlled them in his kingdom.
Brahminism seems to have flourished in Orissa under the Mathara rulers between the 4th and 5th century AD. The Sailodbhava rulers made arrangements for the study of Vedic wisdom and an Ashwamedha sacrifice was performed by King Madhav Varman in 7th century. In the time of Keshari rulers, Shaivism gained importance. In 9th century Utkalaadhipati Yajati Keshari, to preserve the sancity & purity of Brahminism, brought 10,000 Brahmins from gangetic valley and Kannauj
Kannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
and settled them in his capital Yajati Nagar or Yajna pura(modern day Jajpur).The Jajpur area was once famous for organising Somayajna, Shrauta karma. Its a famous site for the performance of ancestral rites,known as Nabhi Gaya
Biraja Temple
Viraja Temple or Viraja Kshetra , or Oddyana Peetha, , is one of the ancient Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Orissa, India. This present temple was built in 13th century. It is situated in the Jajpur township which is nearly 125 KM north from Bhubaneswar...
.
Utkala Brahmins are responsible for priestly and related functions at the Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple
-India:*Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa, India*Jagannath Temple, Koraput, Orissa, India*Jagannath Temple, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa, India*Jagannath Temple, Nayagarh, Orissa, India*Jagannath Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India*Jagannath Temple, Delhi, India...
in Puri
Puri
Puri is district headquarter, a city situated about south of state capital Bhubaneswar, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Orissa. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the Jagannath Temple . It is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages...
(also known as Jagannath Puri) and other temples in earstwhile Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
rulers and their feudatories. Puri where famous Jagannath deity is installed and one of the four holiest religious place of Hindus.They are responsible for priestly functions of other religious places of the state of Orissa and of neighbouring states.
In 11th century AD Ganga Vamsi King Chodaganga Dev renovated the existing Jagannath temple at Puri.He established Brahmin villages around Puri
Puri
Puri is district headquarter, a city situated about south of state capital Bhubaneswar, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Orissa. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the Jagannath Temple . It is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages...
which are known as "Sashan" and bestowed them with land and other endowments for living a dignified life and dedicated to ritualistic responsibility. Six categories of duties were assigned to them - study, teaching, performing,Yagna and help in organizing Yagna, donate andto receive the donation (Adhyayana, Adhyapana,Yajna, Yaajana, Dana and Pratigraha).
Several Brahmin villages established by the Surya Vamsi king of Orissa Gajapapati Kapilendra dev in 15th century A.D..Each village devoted to a hundred Brahmin families with adequate tax free land.
All the monarchs of Orissa and their feudatories have constructed temples, roads, ghats, tanks and established settlement for Brahmins with tax-free homestead land and agricultural holdings.
Mukti Mandap of Jagannath temple,the seat of Utkala Brahmin authority
Muktimandap or the platform for salvation is situated at the southern side of the Jagannath temple of Puri.Sankaracharya of Govardhana mathaGovardhana matha
The Govardhana matha is located in the city of Puri in Orissa state , and is associated with the Jagannath temple. It is one of those four cardinal mathas said to have been founded by Adi Shankara, and is the eastern matha. As per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, it is in charge of the Rig...
is the permanent president of Muktimandap. He is entitled to sit on Muktimandap on Asan or floormatwhich is not allowed to any other person.Ramachandara Dev, the first king of Bhoi
Bhoi
The Bhois are an ethnic community native to Maharashtra, Gujarat,Western Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states in India. In Maharashtra, the Bhois originally lived in Mumbai, Nashik, Dhulia, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Pune, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Sholapur districts of Maharshtra. Presently, the...
Dynasty installed as Raja of Khurda is said to have renovated the Muktimandap with 16 pillars.He recognized 16 Brahmin villages(Known as Shohala Sasan Village) and the leader Brahmin of those villages seat in the Muktimandap.
The Brahmin Pundits in the Mukti Mandapa adjudicate intracaste and intravillage disputes and offer prescription (Vyabastha) containing purificatory advice (Prayaschita Vidhi) for different social sins.
Sub-castes among Utkala Brahmins
The Utkala Brahmins are of three classes- Shrauta/Vaidika (Danua)(:)(श्रौत/वैदिक/दानुआ)
- Sevayata/Purohita Brahmin or Sarua(:)(सेवायत/सारुआ)
- Halua Brahmin.(:)(हळुआ)
Again there are sub-classes in these three classes:
1."Shrautriya Brahmins":The Brahmins following Shrauta tradition, have right to read and teach Vedas and hence are known as Vedic Brahmins or Namaskaraniya.They do Yajna
Yajna
In Hinduism, yajna is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes...
,Yaajana,Adhyayana,Adhyapana,Daana,Pratigraha.They are also known as Kulina,Vaidika,Danua etc. They give more importance to Veda,daily upasana and agnihotra.Only These group of brahmins have right to conduct Yaagas and teach Vedas.
Sub classes:
a)Kalinga Shrauta Brahmins:The Brahmins who have come from undivided regions of previous Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal District
Dhenkanal District is an administrative division of Orissa, India. It is bordered by Kendujhar in the north, Jajpur in the east, Cuttack in the south and Anugul in the west. Dhenkanal town, the district headquarters has a cluster of temples, archaeological remains and a mediaeval fort. A former...
, Cuttack
Cuttack District
Cuttack district is one of the 30 districts in Orissa state in eastern India. Its administrative headquarters is the city of Cuttack. As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Orissa , after Ganjam.-Geography:...
, Puri
Puri District
Puri being a coastal district of Orissa, is famous for its Historic antiquities, Religious sanctuaries, Architectural Grandeur, Sea-scape beauty,moderate climate.It holds a wealth of attraction for the visitors. It boasts of a continuous history from the 3rd Century B.C...
and Ganjam
Ganjam District
Ganjam district is a district in the Indian state of Orissa located on the border of Andhra Pradesh. Ganjam's total area is 8,070 km² . Its population is approximately 2,704,056.Ganjam is known for its beaches bordering the Bay of Bengal, the most famous ones being Gopalpur and Dhavaleshwar...
.They follow the samanta panjika or Sri Jagannath
Jagannath
Jagannath is a transcendental non-anthropotheistic Hindu god worshiped primarily by the people of Indian state of Orissa, and, to a great extent, West Bengal...
panjika
Panjika
The panjika , is the Hindu astronomical almanac, published in Maithili, Assamese, Bengali and Oriya. In colloquial language it is called a ‘panji’. In other parts of India it is called a panchangam...
.They stay south of Brahmani River
Brahmani River
The Brahmani is a major seasonal river in the Orissa state of Eastern India. The Brahmani is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers, and flows through the districts of Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Jajapur...
,hence their name.
b)Jajpuria Shrauta Brahmins:the sub-class which has come from Jajpur
Jajpur District
Jajpur is a district of Orissa, India, and an historic place of pilgrimage. As Jajpur was once the capital of the Kalinga kingdom, it is now an area of archeological wealth, including the famous Saktipitha of the Goddess Biraja, as well as the shrines of the Goddess Biraja , Sveta Baraha , Sapta...
and north orissa area.They follow Sri Viraja panjika
Panjika
The panjika , is the Hindu astronomical almanac, published in Maithili, Assamese, Bengali and Oriya. In colloquial language it is called a ‘panji’. In other parts of India it is called a panchangam...
.They stay north of Brahmani River
Brahmani River
The Brahmani is a major seasonal river in the Orissa state of Eastern India. The Brahmani is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers, and flows through the districts of Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Jajapur...
.First settled in areas around Baitarani River
Baitarani River
The Baitarani River or River Vaitarani is one of six major rivers of Orissa, India. Venerated in popular epics and legends, the Baitarani River is a source of water for agricultural irrigation. Most of the potentially arable land in the area is not under cultivation. The coastal plain of Orissa...
.
These above two sub-classes are eligible to perform Shrauta rites,they abstain from doing temple services and they seldom intermarry with other brahmins.
2."Sevayata Brahmins" or Saruaa:They are also known as Sevaka,Sarua,Purohita or Pushpalaka Brahmins,they follow the Karmakanda and sometimes act as priests for social as well for some temple functions. They give more importance to temple worship,and priesthood.They don't have right to organise Yaaga, whereas they can read Veda and teach it.Some of them follow Agama
Āgama (Hinduism)
Agama means, in the Hindu context, "a traditional doctrine, or system which commands faith".In Hinduism, the Agamas are a collection of Sanskrit scriptures which are revered and followed by millions of Hindus.-Significance:...
also.The Sevayata(Ashrauta) section of Brahmins are divided into three sub-classes as follows:
a)Devalaka(Deyulia)Brahmins: Surnames Badapanda,Pujapanda etc.Their chief occupation is the service of the temple Gods and Goddesses.Many of them expertise in Vedic Karmakanda(rites for marriage,upanayan etc) as well as Agama
Āgama (Hinduism)
Agama means, in the Hindu context, "a traditional doctrine, or system which commands faith".In Hinduism, the Agamas are a collection of Sanskrit scriptures which are revered and followed by millions of Hindus.-Significance:...
(temple worship).Most of the Daitapati sevayatas of Jagannath Temple,Puri and Lingaraj Temple belong to this sub class.Most of the temple in Orissa have this sub class of Brahmins as chief priests.
b)Paniyari(Panda)Brahmins: Surnames majorly Panda.They also form the priestly section,for some rites and some do temple services. some of them are cooks in temples and even in private houses , and travel all around India for pilgrims to visit the temples of Jagannāth.Some of them are engaged in business and trade of Agricultural products.They have high percentage of population among all Oriya Brahmins.
c)Aranyaka(Jhadua)Brahmins:Also known as Panchadesi and Jhadua or Jharia.Literally meaning those inhabiting the hilly and forest areas of Western Orissa.Priestly section of Western Orissa.They were first settlers in Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
, Sonepur
Sonepur
Sonepur, also known as Subarnapur, is a town and district headquarters of Subarnapur district of Orissa. Sonepur was formerly the capital of a princely state of British India. The district spreads over an area of 2284.89 km2. It is also known as Second Varanasi of India for its cluster of...
. They marry among themselves, and later other Utkala Brahmin immigrants to Western Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
refuse to intermarry with them.Mostly they have sects like Raghunathia,Kanojia,Pujari etc.
3."Halua Brahmins":These are similar to Bhumihar
Bhumihar
Bhumihar or Babhan or Bhuin-har is a Brahmin Hindu community mainly found in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.- Varna status :...
in north India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
and Niyogi
Niyogi
Niyogis are a sect of Hindu Brahmins who gave up priestly occupations and are predominantly Telugu language speakers, from Andhra Pradesh, India.-Theories of origin:...
s of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
.They are also known as Balaramgotri or Mahasthana Brahmins.Generally with surname 'Thakur','Grampradhan','Choudhury','Nayak','Sahu','Samantray','Sabat', 'Muni'.Once they enjoyed same status as above brahmins but later they accepted vocational jobs for livelihood and gave up their sacred duty of Shrauta and Smriti
Smriti
Smriti literally "that which is remembered," refers to a specific body of Hindu religious scripture, and is a codified component of Hindu customary law. Smṛti also denotes non-Śruti texts and is generally seen as secondary in authority to Śruti. The literature which comprises the Smrti was...
. These are engaged in agriculture or agriculture related business.Some of them are allowed to do Shraadh and associate in temples and religious functions.They are never allowed for any Vedik rites or Yajna
Yajna
In Hinduism, yajna is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes...
.Most of them are business- oriented, also do cultivation of lands granted during Eastern Ganga dynasty
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty reigned from Kalinga and their rule consisted of the whole of the modern day Indian state of Orissa as well as parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 11th century to the early 15th century. Their capital was known by the name Kalinganagar, which is...
but have entirely lost their sacerdital rites and living in and around Orissa and Srikakulam district,Andhra Pradesh. For the purchase of the land many of them migrated to other country. There is also a significant migrant population of Haluas in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and others.
Russel noted one exceptional feature at Jagannātha Temple of Puri : "All castes now eat the rice cooked at the temple of Jagannath together without defilement, and friendships are cemented by eating of little of this rice together as sacred bond.".
Shakha of Utkala Brahmins
The vaidika shakhaShakha
A shakha , is a Hindu theological school that specializes in learning certain Vedic texts, or else the traditional texts followed by such a school. An individual follower of a particular school or recension is called a ...
may vary family to family in all of the above Shrotriyas and Sevayatas.
Majority of them follow Kaanva Shakha(କାଣ୍ବ ଶାଖା) of Shukla Yajurveda or Kauthuma(କୌଥୁମ ଶାଖା) shakha of Samaveda
Samaveda
The Sama veda , is second of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures. Its earliest parts are believed to date from 1700 BC and it ranks next in sanctity and liturgical importance to the Rigveda...
.Whereas Brahmins belonging Shakala shakha of Rigveda
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
and Paippalada shakha of Atharvaveda
Atharvaveda
The Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
are less.It is thought that Rigveda
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
Brahmins exist due to Govardhana matha
Govardhana matha
The Govardhana matha is located in the city of Puri in Orissa state , and is associated with the Jagannath temple. It is one of those four cardinal mathas said to have been founded by Adi Shankara, and is the eastern matha. As per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, it is in charge of the Rig...
of Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
.
The Paippalada Shakha of Atharvaveda
Atharvaveda
The Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
in Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
should be noted for its existence till now,although by few scholars.They trace their origin from Narmada
Narmada
Narmada may refer to:* Narmada River of central India* Narmada district of Gujarat, India* The Narmada Dam Project, involving the construction of a series of large irrigation and hydroelectric multi purpose dams on the Narmada River in India...
basin,supposed that they migrated during Eastern Ganga Dynasty
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty reigned from Kalinga and their rule consisted of the whole of the modern day Indian state of Orissa as well as parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 11th century to the early 15th century. Their capital was known by the name Kalinganagar, which is...
.Many Brahmins having surname Upadhyaya and Acharya have Paippalada shaakha as their family Shakha.
The sutra of different shakha people are
- RigvedaRigvedaThe Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
:Ashwalayana Shrauta and Grihya Sutra(Shakal Shakha) - Shukla Yajurveda:Katyayana Shrauta and Paraskara Grihya(Kaanva Shakha)
- SamavedaSamavedaThe Sama veda , is second of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures. Its earliest parts are believed to date from 1700 BC and it ranks next in sanctity and liturgical importance to the Rigveda...
:Drahyayana Shrauta and Gobhilya grihya (Kauthuma Shakha) - AtharvavedaAtharvavedaThe Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
: Vaitana Shrauta and Kaushika grihya(Paippalada Shakha)
Gotra
GotraGotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
& Pravara
Pravaras
Literally, Pravara means the most excellent . Pravara is the number of the most excellent rishis who belonged to that particular gotra to which the wearer of sacred thread belongs. Gotra is the name of the founding father...
parampara are followed in families of utkaliya Brahmins.
During Vivaha, sandhyavandana
Sandhyavandanam
Sandhyavandanam is a religious practice performed by Hindu men initiated into the rite by the ceremony of Upanayanam, and instructed in its execution by a Guru . Sandhyavandanam consists of excerpts from the Great Vedas that are to be recited thrice daily...
and other ceremonies it is revered.Brahmins avoid marriages with family of same gotra and pravara.Different gotras trace to original seven Sapta Rishis,i.e.Atri
Atri
This article is about the sage named Attri. See also the gotra named Atri. For the Italian city, see Atri, AbruzzoIn Hinduism, Attri or Atri is a legendary bard and scholar and was one of 9 Prajapatis, and a son of Brahma, said to be ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, kshatriya and Vaishya...
, Bhrigu, Angiras, Kashyapa, Vashishta, Vishwamitra and Agastya
Agastya
Agastya was a Tamil/Vedic Siddhar or sage. Agastya and his clan are also generally credited with uncovering many mantras of the Rig Veda, the earliest and most revered Hindu scripture, in the sense of first having the mantras revealed in his mind by the Supreme Brahman...
Pravara
Gotra Related Pravaras- AtreyaAtreyaAn Atreya is a descendant of Atri, one of the great Hindu sages whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas.The descendents of Atri Rishi use Atreya as their surname just like many other Gotras, or clan names used by the Brahmin community of Hindus in India and Nepal. In Northern India,...
/Krishnatreya: Atreya,Aarchanaasa,Syaavaasva - Gautamasa: Angirasa,Aayasyasa,Gautama
- BharadwajaBharadwajaBharadwaja was one of the greatest Hindu Arya sages descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He was one of the Saptarshis in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.Bhardwaj Rishi was father of...
: Angirasa, Baarhaspatya, Bharadwaja - VatsaVatsaVatsa was one of the solasa Mahajanapadas of Uttarapatha of ancient India mentioned in the Anguttara Nikaya....
/SrivatsaSrivatsaThe Śrīvatsa, Shrivatsa, or Sri Vatsa is a figure of South Asian symbology. Shrivatsa was married to Rudrani. Chandra et al.. state that it denotes "...the auspicious mark represented by a curled noose emblematical of love...".Shrivatsa is an ancient auspicious symbol in India...
: BhargavaBhargavaBhargava is a common surname in Northern India and Maharashtra, mainly around Nashik. In Maharashtra, it is pronounced as Bhargave instead of Bhargava. It is also used as a first name in parts of southern India....
, ChyavanaChyavanaChyavana was a maharshi in Hindu mythology. He was son of sage Bhrigu and known for his rejuvenation after penances for several years. According to the Mahabharata, he was powerful enough to oppose the Vajra of Indra and was responsible for the Ashvins getting their share of the sacrificial...
, Apnavana/Apnuvat, AuravaAuravaAurava is a fierce sage descending in order from Vishnu, Brahma, Bhrigu, Chyavana, Apnuvana. He was born during a bloody feud between the Kshatriyas and the descendents of Bhrigu. He was the grandson of Vatsa, after whom the Srivatsa gotra is named. His son was Ruchika and Ruchika’s son was...
, Jamadagnya - Kashyapa: Kasyapa, Aavatsaara, Daivala
- Kaushika: Vaiswaamitra,Aghamarshana,Koushika
- KutsaKutsaKutsa Maharishi is a Saptarishi of this Manvantara. Each Rishi is has their own speciality, Maharishi Kutsa stands for sweetness. It is said that of the 82 suktas in the Rudram, about 65 are the outpourings of Maharishi Kutsa...
/Kauchhasa: Aangirasa,Maandhatra,Koutssa - Shandilya (2 Variations)
- Kasyapa,Aavatsaara,Sandilya
- Kasyapa, Daivala, Asitha
- Gargyasa (2 Variations)
- Angirasa,Bharhaspatya,Bharadwaja,Sainya,Gargya
- Angirasa, Sainya, Gaargya
- Sankriti (2 Variations)
- Angirasa,Kowravidha,Saankritya
- Sadhya,Kowravidha,Saankritya
- HaritaHaritaHarit/Harita was an ancient and great prince of the Suryavansha dynasty, best known because he is the ancestor of the Brahmin lineage, Harita gotra....
/Haritasa:(2 Variations)- HaritaHaritaHarit/Harita was an ancient and great prince of the Suryavansha dynasty, best known because he is the ancestor of the Brahmin lineage, Harita gotra....
, Ambarisha,Yuvanasva - Angirasa, Ambarisha,Yuvanasva
- Harita
- Kowndinya:Vashishta ,Maitraavaruna, Kowndinya
- Kapinjala:Vashishta,Aindrapramada,Abharadvasavya
- Paraasara:Vashishta , Saaktya, Paarasarya
- Mowdgalya(3 Variations)
- Angirasa,Bharmyasva,Mowdgalya
- Tarkshya,Bharmyasva,Mowdgalya
- Angirasa, Dhavya, Mowdgalya
- Aagastya: Aagastya,Tardhachyuta,Sowmavaha
Other gotras which are rare are Dalabhya
Dalabhya
Dalabhya is a sage mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad. His lineage is the Dalabhya gotra. The Chandogya Upanishad describes a conversation between sages Shilak, Dalabhya and Pravahana. The sage is also mentioned in the Bhavisya-uttara Purana where the sage Pulastya narrates him the story of...
, Uddalaka, Katyayana
Katyayana
Kātyāyana was a Sanskrit grammarian, mathematician and Vedic priest who lived in ancient India.-Works:He is known for two works:...
, Upamanyu
Upamanyu
Upamanyu is the name of a Hindu rishi, the traditional author of hymn 1.102.9 of the Rig Veda.The historian B. C. Law, writing in the 1920s, supposed that Upamanyu was the father of Kamboja Aupamanyava referred to in the Vamsa Brahmana of the Sama Veda....
, Yaska
Yaska
' ) was a Sanskrit grammarian who preceded Pāṇini , assumed to have been active in the 5th or 6th century BC.He is the author of the Nirukta, a technical treatise on etymology, lexical category and the semantics of words...
, Barhishena, etc.
Festivals of Utkala Brahmins
Almost all Sasan village follow a uniform pattern of religious practices.The main festival of the Sasan villages of Orissa are Sitala Sasthi i.e. the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and the Champaka Dwadasi i.e. the marriage ceremony of Lord Gopinatha KrishnaKrishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
in month of Jyaistha.Maha Vishuva Sankranti, Nabanna
Nuakhai
Nuakhai or Nuankhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Orissa in India. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season...
,Chitalagi Amavasya,Jhulan Yatra, Devasnan purnima
Snana Yatra
The Snana Yatra is a bathing festival celebrated on the Purnima of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. It is an important festival of the Jagannath Cult...
,Rahasa Yatra, Raja Parva
Raja Parva
Raja Parba or Mithuna Sankranti is a four day long festival and the second day signifies beginning of the solar month of Mithuna from, which the season of rains starts...
, Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra
Ratha Yatra is a huge Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in the state of Orissa, India during the months of June or July. Most of the city's society is based around the worship of Jagannath with the ancient temple being the fulcrum of the area...
, Durga Puja
Durga Puja
Durga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
, Gamha Purnima or Upakarma
Upakarma
Upakarma called Veda Upaakarma or Avani Avittam or Jannivarada Hunnime is one of the ancient Vedic rituals practiced to date. The event is conducted once a year, in the month of Shraavana and all the Brahmins follow it...
, Janmashtami,Sudasha vrata, Deepavali,Savitri vrata,Manabasha Gurubar Laxmi Puja
Laxmi Puran
Balaram Das, a major poet of Oriya literature, and considered as the senior most poet in the Age of Panchasakha wrote the Laxmi Purana in 15th century .-Synopsis of Laksmi Purana:...
,Pousha Purnima, Samba Dashami
Samba Dashami
It is a festival unique to Orissa and is celebrated on 10th day of the Sukla Paksha of Pausha Masa. Legends say that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy and he was cured by Surya, the Sun God, after 12 years of penance near Konark...
, Makar Sankranti, Saraswati Puja,Dwitibahana Osha, Kumar Purnima, Prathamastami
Prathamastami
Prathamastami is a rite is held in Orissa, India, for the life and prosperity of the eldest child who is offered a lighted lamp ovation by the senior female relatives followed by elaborate rituals during which the Mantras are recited...
, Mahalaya Pitrupakshya,Bijaya Chaturdasi, Shivaratri, Dol Yatra
Holi
Holi , is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and countries with large Indic diaspora populations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United...
,Ashokastami,Rama Navami,Jaulei Panchami, Rekha Panchami, etc.are observed in the villages throughout the yearwith utmost religious sanctity.On the day Gamha Purnima all the elderly persons of Sasan congregate and decide about the traditional share of the family called 'Pali' and 'Hakara' and resolve important problems of the Sasan villages. The 'bali' tradition or animal sacrifice still continues in many Sasan villages before the Village Goddess'Gramadevati' during Durga Puja. Fire work or Bana are also associated with the festivities.
The "Sohala Sasana" or "Sixteen Brahmin Villages" around Puri are integreted in the Jagannath Temple culture in ritualistic way. On Pushyabhiseka or Debabhiseka day occurring onfullmoon day of 'Pausa' month or January,representatives of Sasan villages use to bless theGajapati king and worship Lord Jagannath. And on 'Sunia' day occurring in Bhadraba i.e.September, Sasan Brahmins use to congregate in the palace of the Gajapati king during thecelebration of commencement of the new Regnal Year.During sixteen days of Durga Puja the SasanBrahmins are associated with worshipping ofGoddess Bimala and other local Goddesses. OnRukmini vivaha or the Marriage ceremony ofLord Sri Krishna or Sri Jagannath, SasanBrahmins are also invited. On the 7th day of thedark fortnight of 'Karttika' month i.e. November,Sola Sasana Bhoga or a grand offering ofMahaprasada to Lord Jagannath is held in whichalmost Brahmins from every Sasan village take part.
The Oriya Brahmin Diet
It is of two types- lacto vegetarianismLacto vegetarianismA lacto vegetarian diet is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, and kefir, but excludes eggs. Lacto-vegetarians also abstain from cheeses that include animal rennet and yogurts that contain gelatin...
- pesco vegetarianPescetarianismPescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood but not the flesh of other animals.In addition to fish and/or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically includes all of vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains, beans, eggs and dairy...
ism
Shrotriyas are still strict lacto vegetarian
Lacto vegetarianism
A lacto vegetarian diet is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, and kefir, but excludes eggs. Lacto-vegetarians also abstain from cheeses that include animal rennet and yogurts that contain gelatin...
s who abandon garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
, onion
Onion
The onion , also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. The genus Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion The onion...
and some varieties of gourds and Masoor dal, apart from non vegeterian food.Some of the oriya bramhins are pesco vegetarian
Pescetarianism
Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood but not the flesh of other animals.In addition to fish and/or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically includes all of vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains, beans, eggs and dairy...
s ,which shows the close influence of Shaktism
Shaktism
Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that focuses worship upon Shakti or Devi – the Hindu Divine Mother – as the absolute, ultimate Godhead...
. But Shakta
Shaktism
Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that focuses worship upon Shakti or Devi – the Hindu Divine Mother – as the absolute, ultimate Godhead...
Utkala bramhins don't eat any kind of meat except fish(still chicken is conidered taboo by many) and sacrificial mutton.Some Utkala Brahmins authorise bali or sacrificial meat, which is offered to Devi
Devi
Devī is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism, its related masculine term is deva. Devi is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of the divine, as conceptualized by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. She is the female counterpart without whom the male aspect, which represents...
,in Nuakhai
Nuakhai
Nuakhai or Nuankhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Orissa in India. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season...
and Durga Puja
Durga Puja
Durga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
or any Yajna
Yajna
In Hinduism, yajna is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes...
can be taken by all brahmins.
Most of the Utkala Brahmins share the common foods which are present in Oriya cuisine
Oriya cuisine
Oriya cuisine refers to the cooking of the eastern Indian state of Orissa. Foods from this area are rich and varied, while relying heavily on local ingredients. The flavors are usually subtle and delicately spiced, quite unlike the fiery curries typically associated with Indian cuisine. Fish and...
,and show fondness to sweets
SweetS
was a Japanese idol group. Put together through auditions, the group debuted in 2003 on the avex trax label. Although the group met minor success, they disbanded after three years with the release of a final single in June 2006....
and Pitha
Pitha
Pitha , or pithe is a type of cake or bread common in Bangladesh and India, especially the eastern states of Assam, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and the northeastern region. Pithas are typically made of rice flour, although there are some types of pitha made of wheat flour...
s which are speciality of Orissa.
The Oriya Brahmin Surnames
The Utkala or Oriya Brahmin Surnames are AcharyaAcharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
, Dikshit (Dixit), Debta or Devata, Dash
Dash (Oriya surname)
Dash is an Oriya brahmin surname who belongs to Utkala Brahmins.Some of them write DashSharma. They are settled throughout Orissa and follow mainly the Shrauta tradition of hinduism and any form of Vishnu as Kuladevata . A minority of oriya Brahmins brahmins sometimes use the shorter form 'Das'...
or Dash sharma, Mishra
Mishra
Mishra or Misra is a Hindu Brahmin surname found mostly in the northern and central parts of India.It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile Gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Punjab, Delhi, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh,...
, Dhar, Sharma
Sharma
Sharma Hindi शर्मा, Urdu شرمہ, ) is a name used in the Indian subcontinent mostly in Northern India as a surname or given name. As a noun in Sanskrit, Sharma has various positive connotations, such as "bliss", "happiness", "shelter", "laid back" and "protection."Sharma is a surname of brahmin...
, Chaturvedi
Chaturvedi
The Mathur Chaturvedi Brahmins, or sometimes just Chaturvedi are an endogamous Brahmin community found mainly in western Uttar Pradesh. A Brahmin family name indicating that the title bearer's forefathers were proficient in all of the four Vedas...
, Nath, Kar, Tripathy, Bhatt-Mishra, Nanda, Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
, Rajguru, Rayguru, Mahapatra, Bishi, Patra, Panigrahi, Mohapatra(all of them), Rath
Rath (Oriya Surname)
Rath or Rathasharma are Utkala Brahmins having Atreya or Krishnatreya gotra.The surname in ancient days were given according to gotra and the speciality of the job done by brahmin scholars.They especially specialise the Vikriti Paatha of Shukla Yajurveda and Rigveda which is Ratha Patha.The Veda...
& Rath Sharma(belonging to Atreya
Atreya
An Atreya is a descendant of Atri, one of the great Hindu sages whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas.The descendents of Atri Rishi use Atreya as their surname just like many other Gotras, or clan names used by the Brahmin community of Hindus in India and Nepal. In Northern India,...
gotra), Patri, Satapathy
Satapathy
Satapathy or Shatapathy are the Utkala Brahmins who were once expertised the Shatapatha Brahmana. They are the Oriya speaking Brahmins staying in around Orissa. They belong to Shukla Yajurveda and Kanva Shakha...
, Sadangi
Sadangi
Sadangi or Sarangi, , are a sub group of Utkala Brahmin who have Oriya as their mother tongue. They inhabit mainly the costal and deltaic area of Orissa. Later on, large numbers of Sarangi families migrated to Garjat regions, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and West Bengal. They generally follow Kauthuma...
or Sarangi,Bahinipati,Thakur,Chaini(found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur), Pati, Vedi, Dwivedi, Trivedi, Upadhyaya, Palo (Pala or Pal in Orissa not Bengal), Pattajoshi, Joshi
Joshi
Joshi is a family name common in India and Nepal. Whereas the Joshi's of India are of Brahmin origin, the Joshi's of Nepal are either Newars or Khas-Brahmin...
, Nayak, Panda, BadaPanda, Barpanda, Muni, PujaPanda, Praharaj, Padhi, Pani, Paathi, Purohit
Purohit
Purohit in Indian religious context means a family priest, from Sanskrit , translated as: one placed foremost, from Puras meaning front, and hita, placed. Rajpurohit is a term used to denote a priest for a royal family or a king who was the authorized person that carried out rituals for the...
, Pujari
Pujari
Pujari means one who does the Puja of the idol of God physically in Hindu temples as a priest. Pujaris are also called archaka. Pujaris learn and chant hymns dedicated to God, generally in Sanskrit. Pujaris are mainly drawn from the Hindu Brahmin caste.-Pujaris as counselors:Throughout India,...
, Behera (found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur), Sar, Sabat, Gantayat, Suara, Mahasuara, Garabadu, Sabata, Choudhury, Sahu, Dyansamantray, Nepak, Khadanga, Devasharma, Udgata, Hota, Otta, Bebarta.
According to Pundit Narayana Shiromani,(late 18th century) the gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
decides the surname.He mentions that
Gautama gotra have surname DharaSharma, Bharadwaja
Bharadwaja
Bharadwaja was one of the greatest Hindu Arya sages descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He was one of the Saptarshis in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.Bhardwaj Rishi was father of...
gotra have KaraSharma, Kashyapa gotra people should keep Nanda or AnandaSharma, Atreya
Atreya
An Atreya is a descendant of Atri, one of the great Hindu sages whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas.The descendents of Atri Rishi use Atreya as their surname just like many other Gotras, or clan names used by the Brahmin community of Hindus in India and Nepal. In Northern India,...
gotra people should keep RathSharma, Kaushika and Vatsa
Vatsa
Vatsa was one of the solasa Mahajanapadas of Uttarapatha of ancient India mentioned in the Anguttara Nikaya....
gotra have DashShrama.These above gotra Brahmins are considered as topmost among Utkal Brahmins.Rest all are Sharma or Devasharmas.
In certain areas Utkal Brahmin surnames are unique and are similar to the surnames of Vaishya,Kshatriya and Shudras.These surnames were given to the Brahmins either by Gajapati King or by his fuedotory kings as punishment or reward.In course of time this title became the surname, and the subsequent generations inherited it.E.g. Behera (found mostly in Kalahandi and Sambalpur,their surnames were changed from Mishra or Dash to Behera),Bahinipati,Senapati,Sabat,Pradhan,Swain,jena,Mohapatra etc.Some people with 'Mohapatra' title are Brahmins and others are Karanas or belong to lower castes.
During the reign of Gajapati empire the Utkal Brahmins were migrated to Purulia
Purulia
Purulia , also spelled Puruliya, also known as "Manbhum City", is a city located in West Bengal state, India, and was constituted in 1876. It is the location of the district headquarters of Purulia district. Purulia is located on the north of the Kasai river and is a major road and railway...
, Midnapore
Midnapore
Midnapore is the district headquarters of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. It is situated on the banks of the Kangsabati River . This area had taken a pioneering role in India's freedom struggle...
, Bankura
Bankura
Bankura is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Bankura District.-Etymology:...
& Hoogly
Hooghly District
Hooghly district is one of the districts of the state of West Bengal in India. It can alternatively be spelt Hoogli or Hugli. The district is named after the Hooghly River.The headquarters of the district are at Chinsura...
districts of West Bengal as representative of the Gajapati King since those areas were under the monarch of Orissa.Their surnames are Singhamahapatra,Sinhamahapatra,Sanigrahi(transformed from Panigrahi),Panda,Pati,patra,Padhi,Pahari etc.
Notable Utkala Brahmins
- JayadevaJayadevaJayadeva was a Sanskrit poet circa 1200 AD. He is most known for his composition, the epic poem Gita Govinda, which depicts the divine love of Krishna-an avatar of Vishnu and his consort, Radha, and it is mentioned that Radha is greater than Hari, and is considered an important text in the...
:Famous Sanskrit scholar,poet of 10th century and author of Gitagovinda. - Govardhan Acharya:Sanskrit scholar of 12th century.He wrote Aryasaptasati a Sanskrit poem in 700 stanzas.
- Udayan Acharya : Sanskrit scholar of 12th century.He wrote Bhavavibhavinitika in Sanskrit, the first commentary on the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva.
- Vishwanath Kaviraj: Sanskrit scholar of 13th century.He wrote Sahitya Darpana an Alankara shashtra in sanskrit.
- Jagannatha Dash:A great scholar of Sanskrit who translated the entire Bhagavata PuranaBhagavata puranaThe Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
to OriyaOriya languageOriya , officially Odia from November, 2011, is an Indian language, belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. It is mainly spoken in the Indian states of Orissa and West Bengal...
.He was bestowed the name Atibadi by Chaitanya MahaprabhuChaitanya MahaprabhuChaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Vaishnava saint and social reformer in eastern India in the 16th century, believed by followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism to be the full incarnation of Lord Krishna...
.
See also
- Brahmin communities
- BrahminBrahminBrahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
- Brahmins
- HinduismHinduismHinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
- Forward Castes
- Classification of Brahmins
- Dash (Oriya Surname)Dash (Oriya surname)Dash is an Oriya brahmin surname who belongs to Utkala Brahmins.Some of them write DashSharma. They are settled throughout Orissa and follow mainly the Shrauta tradition of hinduism and any form of Vishnu as Kuladevata . A minority of oriya Brahmins brahmins sometimes use the shorter form 'Das'...
- SatapathySatapathySatapathy or Shatapathy are the Utkala Brahmins who were once expertised the Shatapatha Brahmana. They are the Oriya speaking Brahmins staying in around Orissa. They belong to Shukla Yajurveda and Kanva Shakha...
- SadangiSadangiSadangi or Sarangi, , are a sub group of Utkala Brahmin who have Oriya as their mother tongue. They inhabit mainly the costal and deltaic area of Orissa. Later on, large numbers of Sarangi families migrated to Garjat regions, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and West Bengal. They generally follow Kauthuma...
- Jagannath Temple in PuriJagannath Temple (Puri)The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Orissa, India. The name Jagannath is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat and Nath...
, Orissa, India - Ratha Yatra
- JuggernautJuggernautA juggernaut in colloquial English usage is a literal or metaphorical force regarded as mercilessly destructive and unstoppable.Originating in ca...
- Puri, Orissa
External links
- The complete reference to Brahmins: No material from this site has been borrowed for this article.
- A Long List of Brahmin Castes and Sub-castes