Poojary

Poojary (Kannada: ಪೂಜಾರಿ) also known as Poojari, is a is a sub-sect of the Billava community of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, a south Indian state. The mother tongue of Poojary community is mainly Tulu but in Kundapura taluk these people speak Kannada. It is very difficult differentiate between Billava and Poojary in a broader view. Poojary can also write pujary or pujari.

Etymology

The word Poojary or Poojari or Pujary or pujariliterally means "worshiper". In olden Tulunadu region the Poojarys had very important role in Nema or Bhuta Kola which is a kind of spirit-worship, a practice seen amongst the communities of Tulunadu. Communities of Tulunadu like "Koragas" and "Mansas" were practicing spirit worship but were not supposed to take the role in "Pooja" related matter. This sub-sect of Billawa community was performing the "Pooja" activity during spirit-worship. That is how the name Poojary came for this community.

Etymology

The original inhabitants of Tulunadu were Koraga or Mansa. Another old ethnic group of people is of Billavas in the region. Though all these people are spirit-worshipers the job priest was allowed only to Billavas. Hence, those who took up the profession of priest amongst the Billavas lately came to be called generally as Poojary or Poojari or Pujary or Pujari which literally means priest. The Poojarys of Tulunadu is a sub-sect of Billava community. Other major community is the Mogaveera community.Numerically billavas are more than any other community of tulunadu. Bunts are the second most populous community of tulunadu.

History

During the rule of Kadamba Dynasty in Tulunadu certain Brahmin families were brought and made to settle in the region. Later Jains too made an advent and started to settle in the places of Tulunadu. The Brahmins enjoyed the religious supremacy in the Hindu Chaturwarna system. Eventually Koragas were forced to leave villages. However Billawas managed to live in the outskirts of villages.

But today most of the people from Poojary community are well educated due to the modern education and urbanization. Job opportunity in the oil rich gulf countries contributed to the economic growth of poojarys. Some went into business and some became professionals in the recent years.

Prominent personalities

*Janardhan Poojari, Famous politician
*P T Poojary, CTO, Baroda Rayon, Thai Baroda Industries
*Jaya Suvarna, Mumbai based Business Man as well as Chairman & MD of The Bharat Co-Operative Bank (Mumbai) Ltd.
*Vinaykumar Sorake, Famous politician
*Suresh Poojary, Padukone, Founder and Chairman of Sukh Sagar Group of Hotels Ltd.
*Gopal Poojary,Former MLA of Baindoor and aggressive social worker
*Shashi poojary, Aggressive social worker and co-operator in mumbai
*Rohini Salian, Public Prosecutor, in Mumbai

ee also

* Billava A Tuluva Community of Dakshina Kannada and Kerala
* Ezhava A Malayalam community of Kerala