Devrukhe

In India the Devrukhe Brahmins are one of five sub-castes of Panchadravid Maharashtrian Brahmins. The Devrukhes are a vegetarian community.

Name

There is a literary reference to the name dating back 500 years. In the "Shataprashnakalpalata" a Sanskrit text published around 1690, there is a statement that "Devrukhe" derives from Devrukh, a place near Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

Devrukhes had previously been known as Devarshi Brahmins. There is a letter penned by Veda Shastra Sappan Shri Ganesh shastri Kozarekar, mentioning in 1583, at the spiritual centre Kashi that Devarshi Brahmins are Devrukhes. A letter dated 1727 and another letter dated 1774 written by Gagabhatta Dikshit Vyas paithankar also show that the Devrukhe name was in use from 1370 AD onwards.

There is no specific information as to whether Devrukhes were seen as part of Deshastha or Karhade. However, from consideration of gotras which are common to both Devrukhes and Karhades (Deshasthas) it can be inferred that Devrukhes are closer to Karhades.

It is also said that Bhanu Tere (Bhanuprabhu Tere) was an ancient originator (Mul Purush) of the Devrukhe community.

Locations

According to the census carried out by Devrukhes in 1931 there are 98 original villages inhabited by Devrukhes around Konkan. Devrukhes are also spread across Mumbai, Thane, Dombivali, Pune, Dahivali, Karjat, Umbargaon, Indore Vadodara and many other.

Surnames and gotras

There are 72 surnames, 12 gotras and 19 kuladaiwatas.

Sansthas

Devrukhes has three leading sansthas:

• Vidhyarthi Sahayak Sanstha
• Anath Kautumbic Nidhi
• Vaidyakiya Madat Nidhi

Vidhyarthi Sahayak Sanstha celebrated its centenary on 25 December, 2007.

The community also has regional Devrukhe Brahmin Sanghas which provide social services at regional levels. Young people are involved in Devrukhe Yuva, which held its first assembly in Dadar on 21 January, 2007.

External links

• Devrukhe Brahman website

See also

• Hinduism
• Indian caste system