Karnik

Infobox caste
caste_name=Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu aka CKP
classification=Kshatriya
subdivisions=Chandraseniya
populated_states=Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh
languages=Marathi
religions=Hinduism

Karnik is a Maharashtrian surname from the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu ("CKP" community. Although you would find a few Germans sharing the same surname.

Origin of CKP Community and Karniks

Descendants of King Chandrasen, his son Kayastha and Kayastha's son Somraj ruled Kashmir and most of central India. For people these kings were next to god and hence were called "Prabhu".

Chandrasen son of great King Sahastrararjun, was killed by Parshuram. Chandrasen's pregnant wife Ganga/Kamala took asylum with Dalabhya mooni. Parshuram demanded mooni to hand over Ganga, but the mooni very wisely asked him to spare the pregnant woman. Parshuram agreed to Mooni's request and blessed her that the child born from her "KAYA" would be called "KAYASTHA".

Parshuram said as his father's kingdom has been destroyed; he and his ascendant would live with the help of sword and ink (Asijivi/Masijivi).

This is a mythological story but all agree in saying that it means the descendents of the King Chandrasen who was the Kshatriya (warrior by Profession) King, the son of Sahastrararjun of the Haiyaya family.

Another point is tribes of Kaya province are Kayastha. The word "kaya" means Ayodhaya. According to Mr. H.S.Wilson (1819) Kayastha means "the Supreme Being", the writer caste born of Kshatriya father and Shudra mother.

In the 7th and 8th century, Kayasthas were in Kashmir and later they shifted from Kashmir to northern India and madhya bharat. The word Prabhu means supreme or powerful.

As we read the Origin of CKP's is from Kashmir and North India. The Pandavas, Kauravas, Gupt Vansh are all Chandravanshis. Sometime during the advent of Budhism, the last CKP kingdom was lost and the community moved to Mandugadh where they held important positions in the court of the Parmars.

After Mandugadh fell to Allaudin Khilji, the Prabhus fled from Mandu. They went into Gujarat and they via sea landed in the Konkan strip where they made their homes. Totally 42 families came to Maharashtra in 1305.

From Mawala Province 42 CKP families ( Bendre, Pradhan, Gupte, Dalvi, Chawale, Garude, Chitre, Jayvant, Nachane, Phanase, Mohile, Tamhane, Pratinidhi, Teware, Vakhare, Bhise, Likhite, Kamte, Satpute, Jawale, Tavkar, Vaidhya, Deopare, Bahire, Sule, Patne, Pangu, Korde, Tungari, Narkar, Dhighe, Randive, Raje, Kshipre, Skrukale, Durve, Khatik, Mokashi, Navhik, Mochil, Sabhasad, Karnik ) migrated towards Maharashtra and Karnataka. From Maharashtra some families went and settled in Rajasthan.Many of this families subsequently took name of the town they were residing as Gadkari, Karkhanis, Palkar, Taskar, Shruganpure, Mulherkar, Kharkar.

About Karniks

Gothra : Bharghav
God they worship : Surya
Origin Man : Gangadhar Bhairavnath Karnik.

Ceremonies / Festivals

#"Munja"
#"Makar Sankrant"
#"Maghi Ganpati Utsav"
#"Gudi Padva"
#"Holi / Ranga Panchami"
#"Shravan Mahina"
#"Ganpati Utsav"
#"Navratra"
#"Dassera"
#"Diwali"
#"Tulsicha Lagna"

Foodie Karniks

Karniks are known as the "foodies" in the whole CKP community. Some of the awesome dishes are:
*"Khemyache Kanavle"
*"02. Chinchecha Kalvan"
*"03. Bharli Kavti"
*"Shevlaachi Bhaaji"
*"Shevlaachi Kani"
*"Shevlaachi Vadi"
*"Kolambiche Lonche"
*"Ambat Tikhat assal CKP Kalvan"
*"Lipta Javla"
*"Ninaava"
*"Puran Poli"(specifically "Tel Poli")
*"Kolambi/Sode"/Mutton/"Vaalachi Khichdi"
*"Khaajyache Kanovle"
*"Ukad Handi"
*"Meeryache Ambatvaran"
*"Suki Sukat / Kadi (with Onions)"
*"Bomblaache / Gholliche Bhujne"
*"Masuryaachi Amti with Tallalela Masala n Vade"
*"Liptya Teesrya"
*"Mundi/Paya"
*"Bhajaniche Thalipeeth"
*"Sode ghatleli Vangyaachi Bhaji"
*"Dirdha"
*"Vaatli Daal"
*"Daalimbya/Suka Birdha"
*"Valaache Birdhe"

References

* [http://www.bendre.net Bendre, Dhananjay, "Migration of CKP's to Maharashtra"]