Karekar

The people having surname as “Karekar” belong to Daivajna Brahmin community and are predominantly found in Goa,coastal Maharashtra,some parts of southern Maharashtra, and northern Karnataka (Belgaum,Hubli,Yellapur).

Origin & History

It is believed that the “mula Purusha” of Bharadwaj gotra of this clan migrated from “Gouda” region in west Bengal to the South with their family deity “Gajant Lakshmi”.This early ancestor settled with the clan on an island in Goa called as “Chudamani” (today’s Chorao or Chodan).The place on the island where they settled was called as “Karrai”( kaa-rai ) and a temple dedicated to their deity was built on the banks of river “Mandovi” (Gomati).Thus the temple was built in a secluded restricted forest and thus the deity came to be known as “Vana- devata” (deity of the forests).Also another temple of the guardian deity “Ravalnatha “(Roulu) in the form of Shiva was also erected.These people also worshipped “Shano” and “Pisso Roulu “as their “Grama Devata”

The clan was divided into four groups (Vangors or Vangad) depending on their gotras .viz
* Bharadwaj
* Kashyap
* Koushika

This clan established a well refined village community system which is called as “comunidade” in Portuguese and “Gramasanstha” in Konkani/Marathi.The centre of this village community was the temple.Another system called as “mazanie” or “mahajani” system was adopted for betterment of village, people and the temple, and the funds were equally divided amongst the clan above mentioned of the gotras.This clan used “Shreshth” (the superior) as their surname.Later many of them adopted title “Chattim” which means traders.They were primarily involved in jewellary and gemstone trade with the arab and Portuguese people.Some of them were also involved in Horse trade.

In the 14th century the Portuguese conquered Chodan island, and started converting people to Christianity and demolishing temples. The leaders of this clan fled to a place called as “Bhata Grama”,with their deities fearing conversions,with the help of the native fisherman people across the banks of river “mandovi”.

A small temple was built for the deities.This part was ruled by the “Sawant Bhosale” Hindu kings.

For the following reasons the clan migrated to other places in Goa , as well as other states.They started using the surname “Xete Caroicar” (Xete is corrupted form of the Sanskrit “Shreshtha”)just to distinguish themselves from the other people.

Surname and its evolution

* Shreshtha
* Shett
* Chattim
* Xete Caroicar
* Karekar/Kareker

Different surnames used by Karekars

* Kalaghatagi
* Kanbarangi
* Arkasali
* Padgaokar
* Kalghatkar

Karekars in modern times

This clan is highly educated well cultured and well settled in different parts of Goa,Mumbai,Kolhapur,Sangli,Satara,Malvan,Sawantwadi,Ratnagiri and other few places in Maharashtra and in many parts of Karnataka like Belgaum,Hubli,Yellapur.and many of them are settled abroad as well.These people speak different dialects of Konkani and Marathi.

Most of them are still involved in jewellary trade and other related businesses.Many of them are into different fields like Medicine, engineering, Arts, Law etc.

Notable Individuals in the clan

*Pandit Prabhakar Karekar (Indian Classical Vocalist)

ee also

*Ravalnath
*Chodan Islands