Devrukhe Brahmins are one of five sub-

caste A caste is a Essentialism, fixed social group into which an individual is born within a particular system of social stratification: a caste system. Within such a system, individuals are expected to marry exclusively within the same caste (en ...

s of

Maharashtrian Brahmin Marathi Brahmins (also known as Maharashtrian Brahmins) are communities native to the Indian state of Maharashtra. They are classified into mainly three sub-divisions based on their places of origin, " Desh", " Karad" and "Konkan". The Brahmi ...

s. The name ''Devrukhe'' is a corrupted form of the word "''Devarshi''". This community is small in numbers compared to other

s such as

Deshastha Brahmin Deshastha Brahmin is a Hinduism, Hindu Brahmin caste, subcaste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. Other than these states, according to authors K. S. Singh, Gregory Naik and Pran Nath Chopra, Deshastha Brahmins a ...

Saraswat Brahmin Saraswat Brahmins are spread over widely separated regions spanning from Kashmir and Punjab in North India to Konkan in West India to Kanara (coastal region of Karnataka) and Kerala in South India. In places such as western and southern India, ...

, Konkanastha Brahmin and

Karhade Brahmin Karhaḍe Brahmins (also spelled as Karada Brahmins or Karad Brahmins) are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra, but are also distributed in states of Goa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Based on Veda and Ved ...

Introduction

The Devrukhe Brahmins are also called "''Devarshi Brahmins''". Bombay published a 16 page pamphlet in Marathi giving information about their community.

Origins

Tracing the origins of Devrukhe Brahmins, it leads to one of the oldest Marathi speaking Brahmins in Maharashtra–Deshastha Brahmin, residents of Desha i.e. over the Western Ghats. During the end of 15th century–a period marked by famine and turmoils of Mughal rule, many Brahmin families descended the Western Ghats and settled near Sangameshwar– Devrukh,

Ratnagiri Ratnagiri (IAST:Ratnāgirī ; �ət̪n̪aːɡiɾiː is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri District in southwestern Maharashtra, India. The district is part of Konkan division of Maharashtra. The city is known for the Hapus or ...

. Later they were called as ''Devrukhe Brahmins''. They follow the same traditions as of other Maharashtrian brahmins along with the influences that may have resulted due to migration near Ratnagiri.

Intercaste disputes

In 1583, The Chitpavans challenged the Brahmin status of "Konkana Devarshi Brahmins". This issue reached Kashi Pandits, they did not affirm nor reject the Brahmin status as the detailed scenario of this Brahmins were not traceable. The author mentions the incidence where the local Brahmins denied to dine With devrukhe. In 1657, the Kashi Pandits were referred regarding the ritual status of Devarshi/Devrukhe, this time the Kashi Pandits granted them Brahmins status. In 1723, During Peshwa rule, the Brahmins ritual status of Devrukhe was challenged by local Brahmins. They were declared unfit to dine with the Brahmins comparing them with "devarastriyas", the decision was headed by pandits of Satara and local Adavaitha mutt. In 1749, Devrukhe consulted Pandits of Banarus who visited Maharashtra, Pandits declared them as Brahmins as Banarus Pandits were highest authority for decisions related to varnas.

References

{{reflist Brahmin communities of Maharashtra Vegetarian communities

Introduction

Origins

Intercaste disputes

See also

References