Gangari Brahmin Community

Gangari Brahmins are a sub-caste originating from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. They settled in villages around the Ganges Valley, which is why they are referred to as “Gangari” Brahmins. The history of this community is linked to the Sarola Brahmins; however, their rights and social status differ from those of the Sarola Brahmins. The rights of the Gangari caste are limited to their close relatives, establishing their social identity based on familial ties.

Gangari Brahmins maintain their unique customs and traditions, distinguishing them from other Brahmin communities in both Kumaon and Garhwal. Their religious rituals and festivals further strengthen their cultural identity. The cultural practices and traditions of the Gangari Brahmins help keep their community united and contribute significantly to the rich tapestry of Uttarakhand’s diversity.

Gangari Brahmins List

Budhana/Bahuguna: The Bahuguna caste, a prominent group among the Gangaari Brahmins in Garhwal, settled in the village of Bughaani in Garhwal from Gaud Bengal in the year 980 Samvat. They are called Bahuguna because of their settlement in Bughaani village. The Bahuguna caste is classified under the “Chauthoki community” (Dobhals, Bahugunas, Dangwals, and Uniyals).

Dangwal: The Dangwal caste, of Dravidian origin among the Gangaari Brahmins, settled in Dang village from Santoli, Karnataka in the year 982 Samvat. Their ancestral figure was Dharanidhar.

Dobhal: The Dobhal caste arrived in Garhwal’s Dobha village from Santoli, Karnataka in the year 945 Samvat, hence they are called Dobhal. Their ancestral figure, Karanjeet Dobha, was the first to settle in Dobha village.

Unyal: In the year 981 Samvat, two maternal cousins named Jayachand and Vijayachand, hailing from Mithila, came to the village of Veni in Srinagar, Garhwal, and settled there. They were Maithil Brahmins, marking the origin of the Unyal caste.

Ghildiyal: The Ghildiyal caste is classified under the Adyagaud Brahmins. These people settled in Garhwal from Gaud country in the year 1100 Samvat, which is why they are called Ghildiyal.

Naithani/Naithani: The Naithani are originally Kanyakubja Brahmins who settled in Garhwal’s Naithana village from Kannauj in the year 1200 Samvat. Their ancestral figures, Karnadev and Indrapal, were the first to settle in Naithana village, Pauri Garhwal. The management and administration of the Shri Bhuvaneshwari Siddhpeeth (temple) are overseen by the Naithani caste.

Juyal: The Juyal caste of Gangaari Brahmins is of Maharashtrian origin and arrived in Garhwal from Juyal village in South India in the year 1700 Samvat, under the guidance of their ancestors Basudev and Vijay Anand.

Sakalani/Sakalyaani: This branch of Kanyakubja Brahmins settled in Garhwal’s Sakalana village from Awadh around the year 1700 Samvat. Their ancestral figure, Nag Dev, founded Sakalana village, which eventually led to this area being called Sakalana Patti. Members of this caste are also referred to as ‘Pujari.’

Joshi: The Joshi caste of Brahmins is believed to have Dravidian origins. They migrated from Kumaon to Garhwal in the year 1700 Samvat and subsequently settled there.

Tiwari/Tivadi: The Tivadi are Sarola Brahmins of Tripathi origin who settled in various parts of Garhwal from Kumaon around the year 1700 Samvat, becoming residents there.

Panyuli: The Panyuli are primarily Gangaari Gaud Brahmins who settled in the village of Panyala, Ramoli, Garhwal, from South India in the year 1207 Samvat. Their ancestral figure was Brahmanath.

Chandola: Their ancestral caste is Saraswat. They first came from Punjab to Chandosi and then to Garhwal in the year 1633 Samvat. Their ancestral figure is considered to be Luthraj, and they may have derived their name from Chandosi.

Dhaundiyal/Dhaundayal: Under King Mahipati Shah of Garhwal, the Chauthoki community expanded to include 32 other castes, among which Dhaundiyal was a prominent caste. Their ancestral figure was Roopchand Gaud Brahmin, who settled in Dhaund village from Rajputana in the year 1713 Samvat. They established Dhaund village, which is why they are called Dhaundiyal.

Naudiyal/Naudiyal/Nauriyal: They are originally Gangaari Gaud Brahmins who migrated from their original place, Bhring Chiranga, to Naudi village in Garhwal around the year 1600 Samvat. Their ancestral figure, Pandit Shashidhar, founded Naudi village, and the caste derives its name from this village.

Mamagai: The Mamagai are originally Gaud Brahmins who settled in Garhwal from Ujjain, Maharashtra. They became known as Mamagai due to settling in their maternal uncle’s village. Members of this caste primarily reside in Pauri district, but some villages can also be found in Tehri and Uttarkashi.

Barthwal: The Barthwal are originally Saraswat Brahmins who settled in Garhwal from Gujarat in the year 1543 Samvat. Their ancestral figure, Pandit Surya Kamal Murari, came from Gujarat and settled in the village of Badaith in Garhwal, later leading to the name Barthwal for their descendants.

Kukreti: This is a Dravidian Brahmin caste that settled in Garhwal from a place called Vilhit in the year 1409 Samvat and became permanent residents. Their ancestral figure, Gurupati Kukarkata, settled in Kukarkata village, which led to their name Kukreti.

Dhasmana/Dhasmana: The Dhasmana are Gangaari Gaud Brahmins who migrated from Ujjain to Garhwal in the year 1723 Samvat and settled in Dhasman village. Their ancestral figures were Hardev, Veerdev, and Madhodas.

Kainthola: The Kainthola have Gujarati Bhatt ancestry. They migrated from Gujarat to Kaintholi village in Garhwal in the year 1669 Samvat under their ancestral figure Ramvital.

Suyal: The ancestral figures of the Suyal caste are Dajal and Baj Narayan, who settled in Sui village in Garhwal and became permanent residents.

Bangwal: The Bangwal are Gaud lineage Brahmins. They settled in Bangha village in Garhwal from Madhya Pradesh in the year 1725 Samvat and became residents there.

Anthwal/Anathwal: The Anathwal are Saraswat Brahmins who came to Garhwal from Punjab in the year 1612 Samvat and became permanent residents there. The Anathwal caste members are believed to have Afghan origins. There is a belief that a caste named Anathwal also resides in Lahore, Pakistan, which is involved in conducting rituals at local Hindu temples.

Baukhandi: The Baukhandi caste, of Maharashtrian origin, migrated from Vilhit to Garhwal in the year 1700 Samvat and became residents there. This caste claims descent from the poet Bhukund.

Jugran/Jugdaan: The Gangaari Brahmins of Pandey origin named Jugran came to Garhwal from Kumaon in the year 1700 Samvat and settled in the village of Jugadi, which led to their name Jugran and later Jugraan.

Malkoti: The Malkoti are Gaud Sarola Brahmins who settled in Garhwal’s Malkoti village from an unknown location in the year 1700 Samvat, and they became known as Malkoti. Their ancestral figure was Balakdas.

Balodi: The Balodi are Dravidian lineage Gangaari Brahmins who settled in Garhwal’s Balod village in the year 1400 Samvat.

Ghansala/Ghansala: The Ghansala are Gaud Brahmins who settled in Garhwal’s Ghansali village in the year 1600 Samvat after migrating from Gujarat.

Devarani/Devarani: This caste belongs to the Bhatt Brahmins, who settled in Garhwal from Gujarat in the year 1500 Samvat.

Pokhriyal: The Pokhriyal are primarily Gaud Brahmins. Their previous caste, Sagnya, was from Vilhit, which is the reason for their name. Their ancestral figures originally settled in Vilhit and later in Pokhari village, Pauri Garhwal. There are some members of this caste in Nepal, who are involved in rituals at the famous Shiva temple Pashupatinath. In Garhwal, apart from Pauri, they are also settled in Chamoli, and there is a Rajput caste with the same name in Tehri, which may have derived from an ancient fort.

Dabral: The Dabral are members of the Maharashtrian Brahmin caste who settled in Garhwal’s Dabar village in the year 1433 Samvat with their ancestral figures Vishwanath and Raghunath.

Sundarial: The Sundarial Brahmin community arrived in Garhwal in the year 1711. They are Brahmins of the Karnataka lineage, called Sundarial because they settled in the village of Sundroli in Garhwal.

Kimoti: The Kimoti community consists of Gaud lineage Gangari Brahmins who are originally from Bengal. They came to Garhwal in the year 1617, led by their ancestor Rambhajan Kimota, and settled in the village of Kimota.

Badola/Budola: The Badola community belongs to the Gaud lineage of Gangari Brahmins. They arrived from Ujjain in the year 1798 and settled in the village of Badoli or Budola, which is why they are called Budola.

Panthari: The Panthari community consists of Gangari Saraswat Brahmins from Garhwal. Their ancestors Anthu and Panthram arrived from Jalandhar in the year 1600 and settled in the village of Panthar in Garhwal, hence the name Panthari.

Baloni/Baloni: The Baloni community comprises Saraswat Brahmins who settled in the village of Balon in Garhwal after arriving from Jalandhar in the year 1776. Their ancestor was Jeevaram.

Purohit: This community consists of the family priests of the Jammu and Kashmir royal family, who practiced priesthood there. This is why they are known as Purohit. They are initially considered to have settled in the village of Dasoli and later moved to Nagpur Patti.

Badoni/Badoni: The Badoni community consists of Gaud Brahmins who came from Bengal in the year 1600 and settled in the village of Badon. They are named Badoni after settling there.

Rudola: The Rudola community, of Telang origin, migrated from Sindh, Hyderabad, and settled in different parts of Garhwal.

Sunyala: This community is known as Sunyala because they settled in the village of Soni in Garhwal after coming from an unknown location.

Kotanala: The Kotanala community comprises Gaud Brahmins who are considered natives of Bengal. They arrived in Garhwal’s Koti village in the year 1725 and were named Kotanala after settling there.

Kala: It is believed that the Kala community came to Garhwal from the Kali Kumaon region and settled in the village of Sumadi in Pauri Garhwal.

Kaunswal: The Kaunswal community of Gangari Gaud Brahmins arrived in Garhwal in the year 1722 and are named after settling in the village of Kansyali.

Vairagi: The Vairagi community, of Gaud origin, settled in Garhwal.

Malasi: The Malasi Brahmins, of Gaud lineage, settled in Malasu village after arriving from an unknown location.

Farasi: This community consists of Dravidian Brahmins who came to Garhwal from South India in the year 1791 and settled in the village of Farasu, hence they are known as Farasi.

Badani/Badhani: The Badani or Badhani community consists of Gangari Brahmins of Kanyakubja lineage who arrived from Kannauj in Garhwal in the year 1722. They were initially settled in the Badhani pargana of Garhwal, which is why they are called Badhani or Badani.

Godura: This community comprises Gangari Brahmins who were originally Bhatt. They settled in Garhwal after arriving from South India in the year 1718. Their ancestor was Godu, and it is likely that this community got its name from him.

Sailwal: The Sailwal community is named after settling in Sail village in Garhwal after arriving from an unknown location.

Kudiyal: The Kudiyal community consists of Gaud lineage Brahmins originally from Bengal. They came to Garhwal in the year 1600 and settled in the village of Kudi, hence they are called Kudiyal.

Bhatt: This was originally a type of title given to kings. Over time, it became known as a Brahmin community. The Bhatt community is considered to be of South Indian origin. It is the only community in Garhwal included in the lists of Sarola, Gangari, and Nagpuri Brahmins.

Baurai/Baudai: The Baurai community belongs to the Gaud lineage and arrived in Garhwal from an unknown location in the year 1500. They settled in the village of Baudhar or Baur.

Maikoti: The Maikoti community, of Kanyakubja lineage, arrived in Garhwal from Kannauj in the year 1622. They are named after settling in the village of Maikoti in Garhwal.

Binjola: This community consists of Dravidian Brahmins, but not much information is available about them.

Silwal: The Silwal community is related to the Dravidian lineage and settled in Silla village in Garhwal after arriving from Varanasi in the year 1600, hence they are known as Silwal.

Bhadola: This community belongs to the Dravidian lineage.

Dhyani: The Dhyani community came to Badrinath Dham with Adi Shankaracharya and began working as temple priests. Members of this community settled in Dheyeni village, then moved to Ranakot and other villages in Devprayag. Over time, one branch settled in Ager village near Lansdowne, and from there, they spread to Doba, Dalmota, and Khandwari, reaching other villages like Idiakot, Badalpur, Naini Danda, and towards Almora.

The diverse Brahmin communities in Uttarakhand, particularly in Garhwal and Kumaon, each with unique origins and histories, highlight the rich tapestry of cultural heritage in this region. From the Sundarial Brahmins who migrated from Karnataka to the Kimotis from Bengal, these groups illustrate a blend of traditions and customs that have shaped the social fabric of Uttarakhand. Among these communities, the Gangari Brahmins stand out, showcasing their distinct practices and contributions. Their unique identities, rooted in their ancestral villages and migration stories, reflect a broader narrative of cultural exchange and adaptation over centuries. As these communities continue to thrive, they preserve their distinct legacies while contributing to the vibrant culture of Uttarakhand, embodying the essence of unity in diversity. Understanding their histories enriches our appreciation of the region’s heritage and the importance of cultural preservation in a rapidly changing world.