NO!!! I am not a Maharashtrian!

Every time I introduce myself, I find that I need to clarify that I am not a Maharashtrian. I am Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin from Mangalore. It is about time that I have more to say about my community than just that. So here goes. It may sound like a history lesson, that’s because it is!

The Saraswat Brahmins claim descent from a Brahmin caste mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures as inhabiting the Saraswati River valley, the geographic location of which is unknown. The actual origins of this community and the circumstances of its relocation to the areas that they now inhabit are shrouded in mystery.

My ancestors are Aryans, like every other Indian’s

One of the theories lays claim to the fact that my ancestors migrated to all parts of India from the valleys of Kashmir. Most historians suspect that after a few thousand years of flowing, the Saraswati began to dry out and became non-existent by 1000 BC. The entire region started becoming arid and with no means of growing their crops, the Saraswats had no choice but to move. This period of history saw many civilizations abandoning their settlements. This migration was spread over centuries. The last of the exodus is believed to be in 350 BC due to a wide spread famine which lasted for 12 years.

The Saraswat Brahmins residing on the western coast of India (primarily in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka) are thought to have descended from these Kashmiri Brahmins. Substantial evidence has been set forth by several historians relating that the Kashmiri Brahmins migrated to Goa by the eleventh century AD.

The Exodus from Goa

Goa was chosen mainly for its fertile soil and sea ports with flourishing overseas trade. Another reason for their migration into Konkan is the marital relationships between the Kadamba king Jayakeshi (1050-1080 AD) of Goa and the Saraswat king from Trihotra. Some historians believe that the king of Trihut sent ninety-six families from ten gothras to the new land to propagate religion and philosophy at the request of the Kadamba King.

The Saraswats enjoyed peace and prosperity in Goa for 400 years. Goa was attacked by Muslim rulers destroying many temples and forcing the Hindus into converting to Islam. To avoid religious persecution several Saraswat families moved to Kanara. This explains why most of the family deities are in Goa ( Mangeshi & Shantadurga). Ours though is at Ankola in North Kanara. The picture above is of that very same temple.

To think that if this exodus hadn't happened I would be Goan! But then, if none of the migrations had happened I would probably be European!

Why my surname is unpronounceable!

The group who migrated to Karnataka was dominated by educators and administrators. This migrant group moved inland to North and South Kanara. Their intelligence and experience as administrators, allowed some of them to secure prominent positions as accountants in the courts of the Hindu rulers of the time. One such Hindu king of the Keladi kingdom was so impressed by the diligence and skills of his Saraswat accountant that he decreed that every village in his kingdom, be administered by a Saraswat. Eventually these Saraswats took on the name of the village as their last name. At last I know why my surname is the tongue twister that it is.

Finally why we are Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins

Although the Saraswats were well respected as accountants, they were not readily recognized as true Brahmins by the local Brahmins, because they had no spiritual guru, which was the norm then. I think it was plain jealousy. Anyway it became essential to seek a spiritual preceptor for the community. They pleaded with a Saraswat Sanyasi, Parijananasharma Swamy, visiting from North India, to become their Guru. He consented to guide the community and established a new Mutt for them in Gokarn in 1708 AD. In 1739 AD, the ruler Basavappa Nayaka II donated land in Gokarn to build a mutt in reverence to their primary deity, Shri Bhavanishankar.

His successor Shankarasharma Swamy travelled to Chitrapur and attained Samadhi there in 1757 AD. Another Mutt was established in Chitrapur near Shirali in North Kanara and it became the headquarters of the Mutt. Over time the connection with other groups in Goa was lost and the belief that we are the descendents of Kashmiri Brahmins became stronger. And eventually the sub-sect -Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins (also referred to as Bhanaps) was formed and continued following the Smarta (followers of Lord Shiva) tradition while the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins in Goa and Karnataka drifted to the Vaishnava (followers of Lord Vishnu) faith.

During the British rule, the Bhanaps took to English education earlier than others. Subsequently, they were able to obtain key jobs at the district offices and the Collector’s offices in Mangalore, Honavar and Karwar. They were also quickly employed as administrators in the Cotton and Textile export industry in Kumta, Hubli and Dharwad. Many Bhanaps made their way into the cosmopolitan city of Bombay by the late 1800's.

One aspect that I haven’t touched upon is that our community speaks Konkani, a language that is considered as one of the Indo-Aryan languages descending from the Middle Indic Prakrits. The script too seems to be lost in the hoary past otherwise why the need for English, I would be writing in Konkani!