Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin
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Chitrapur Saraswats are a small Hindu, Brahmin community in India. The Chitrapur Math, Shirali with its line of Gurus, is a vital link that holds together the widely scattered units of the community. It is the oldest religious institution of the community. The Chitrapur Saraswat community believes this Math to be the blessed seat of Lord Bhavanishankar, the patron deity of the Math.
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[edit] History
History indicates that Aryans originating from Central Asia that settled on the Banks of the River Saraswati were called Saraswat Brahmins. Further, some of them migrated to Bengal (Goud Desh) and the others migrated South. There was a Great Famine in Bengal and it is during this time that the Saraswat Brahmins migrated to Goa from Bengal (Gowd) and that branch of the Saraswat Community came to be known as Gowd Saraswath Brahmins. On Naraka Chaturdashi day, fish is a must for the Members of this Community like all Bengali Brahmins. Their leader was Dwarakanath and 96 families are said to have migrated from Bengal. They were the followers of Vishnu-Venkataramana. The Gowd Saraswat Community Members came to be known as Dhorkes (from the word Dwarakanath).
In contrast, Chitrapur Saraswats migrated directly from the banks of River Saraswati to Goa (and hence remain vegetarians to a large degree, unlike the Dhorkes) They were the followers of Shiva-Bhavanishanker even before they could get their Religious Head. There were supposed to be only 4 families. Their leader was Bhanapayya and hence the members of the community are known as Bhanaps.
Incidentally the migration of both the communities was at the same time. The term shenvi was used because most of the Chitrapur Saraswath community used to be accountants and administrators appointed by the king for the collection of taxes and administration in the local panchayats.
[edit] Guru Parampara
The Chitrapur Math had its beginnings at Gokarn in 1708 when the community was blessed by its first Guru. Chitrapur became the religious headquarters in 1757 when the second Guru took his Samadhi at that place.
Earlier records make it clear that the then representative of the community desired the Guru not only to be the head of the Math but also to regulate the achar (behaviour) and vichar (beliefs) of the community and further, that the community itself, obey his orders and provide the finance required from time to time.
However, this distinction between the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa and the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins required sufficient time to solidify. During the reign of Basavappa Nayaka I (1696 -1714), some people of Kanara accused the Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis of not being pure Brahmins. This accusation is said to have evolved in consequence to two factors: 1) the Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis had no guru, or spiritual leader, to represent their community and 2) since many of the Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis were holding impressive administration positions during this time period, the natives of Kanara were aroused with jealousy which stimulated them to form this accusation.
Since the Saraswat Brahmin Shenvis did not have a spiritual guide to represent their sub-group, the ruler of the region most probably would not recognize their brahminical caste status. Therefore, the Shenvis felt that it was necessary to seek a spiritual preceptor for their community. Soon after, the Shenvis prayed to two of their deities, Shri Bhavanishankar and to Shri Mahabaleshvara, in hope of finding a guru. During the course of their prayers which lasted for three days (and is referred to as Guru Parampara) they are said to have heard a heavenly voice to accept their leader and the place where they would have to receive him. A Sanyassin (one who is in the final stage of life and completely renounces all worldly possessions) of north Indian Saraswat Brahmin descent came to Gokarn. At the request of the Shenvis, the Sanyassin accepted the role to guide and represent their community in 1708. The Sanyassin was brought to the Court with the claim that he was their spiritual leader. Based on the feedback from Gowd Saraswath Brahmins, the local king said he would accept the Sanyassin only if the Swamiji of Shringeri accepts and recognises him. The Saraswath Brahmins along with the Sanyassin went to Shringeri, where they were boycotted by the Mutt Administration upon the insistence of Gowd Saraswat Brahmins. The Chitrapur Saraswats were not allowed in to Shringeri. Upon this, the entire Idol of Sharadhamba in Shringeri Mutt is reported to have turned black which led to the Mutt Administrators along with the Swamiji realising that something was wrong. Then they realised their misatake and the Swamiji went in person along with the administrators to receive the Sanyassin and announced him as the Swamiji of the Chitrapur Saraswat Community. This recognised the new group known as the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins and distinct from the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa. Even now the first right to Thirtha (Holy Water) in Shringeri is given to the Chitrapur Saraswats.
Shrimadh Anantheshwar Temple located in Vittal (Karnataka) is the main Subramanya Temple for all Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins. The main festival is the six days Shrashti which is held every year. Karthik Poornima is also another important function. The other Temples are Sitaram Temple, Bantwal and Udupi, The Uma-Maheshwar Temple and Venugopal Temple in Mangalore.
The Temples in which the Samadhis of Spiritual Leaders (Swamijis) are located are at Gokarn, Shirali, Mallapur, Mangalore and Karla.
[edit] List of Spiritual Leaders or Gurus
- H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram-I Swamiji (1708-1720) Samadhi at Bhandikeri - Gokarn (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Shankarashram-I Swamiji (1720-1757) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram-II Swamiji (1757-1770) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Shankarashram-II Swamiji (1770-1785) Samadhi at Mallapur (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Keshavashram Swamiji (1785-1823) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Vamanashram Swamiji (1823-1839) Samadhi at Mangalore (South Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Krishnashram Swamiji (1839-1863) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Pandurangashram Swamiji (1863-1915) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Anandashram Swamiji (1915-1966) Samadhi at Shirali (North Kanara).
- H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram (III) Swamiji (1966-1991) Samadhi at Karla (Maharashtra).
- H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji is currently the Mathadhipati having ascended the Peetha in February 1997.
[edit] Community Size
The number of Chitrapur Saraswats stands at 22,498 according to KSA's 2001 census, up 7 per cent from 20,932 in 1971, the disconcerting reality is that the 0-19 age group, its veritable future, has shrunk from 33 per cent to an alarming low of 18 per cent and the 20-44 age group has also gone down from 38 per cent to 34 per cent.
[edit] Famous People
- Karnad Sadhashiva Rao - He was responsible for the Co-operative Movement in Dakshina Kannada District. A road in the heart of Mangalore City is named after him - K.S.Rao Road.
- Kudmul Ranga Rao - He started the DCM or Depressed Class Mission and sacrificed his entire Wealth and Property to the Depressed Class. The road in the heart of Mangalore City which is named after him is Kudmul Ranga Rao Road.
- Benegal Narasing Rao - part of the Constitution Committee. Shri M.V.Kamath, Former Editor and prominent journalist in one of his articles stated that the Constitution was entirely written by him and not by Dr. Ambedkar as is believed now.[citation needed]
- Sir Benegal Rama Rau , First Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
- Ullal Raghunathayya - Who was responsible for the introduction of Brahma Samaj in South Kanara.
- Shyam Benegal- Movie Director
- Guru Dutt - film director, producer and actor
- Suman Kalyanpur
- Shyama Chittar
- Girish Karnad- Playwright
- Amrita Rao - Bollywood actress
- Isha Koppikar- Bollywood actress
- Nandan Nilekani-CEO,Infosys
- Prakash Padukone- Sportsman
- Deepika Padukone- Model
- Ananth Nag (Nagarkatti)- Famous Kannada Cine Actor
- Leena Chandavarkar -Famous Hindi Cine Actor.
- V.Rajagopal Bhat - Philospher
- Freedom fighter Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (nee Dhareshwar)
- Journalist and Parliamentarian B. Shiva Rao
- Educator B. Sanjiva Rao (Sanjiva Rao, Narasing Rao, Shiva Rao, Rama Rao are all brothers), *Economist Krishna Bharadwaj
- Civil Administrator (and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bombay) Sir V.N. Chandavarkar
- Industrialist D.N. Sirur
- Some Chitrapur Saraswats have reached high posts in the Indian Armed Forces. They include :-
- Air Chief Marshal L M Katre - Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force.
- Air Marshal(Retired)Mundkur Pratap Rao - Vice Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force.
- Lt.General(Retired) Prakash Gokarn.
- Air Marshal(Retd.) Savoor.
- Vice Admiral(Retired) Koppikar.
- Vice Admiral(Retd.) Heble.
- Major General(Retired) Harsh C. Gangolli.
- Major General(Retired) Sudhir Vombatkere.
- Major General (Retired)Baindur Nagesh Rao.
- Nalkur Shripad Rao
- Bhaskar Chandawarkar
- Kalpana Lajmi- Movie Director
- Geeta Hattangdi
- Raghuveer Nadkarni
- Arvind Savoor, Snooker Champion.
- Shanker Nag (Nagarkatti)- Famous Kannada Cine Actor
- Prabhakar Rao Bantwal-Industrialist, elected President( from 1992- 2006) of the Mahasabha and The Standing Committee of Chitrapur Saraswats of Shri Chitrapur Math, Shirali.* Venkatarao Talageri
- Master Sanmesh Mahesh Kalyanpur(Winner of the Sanjay Chopra National Bravery Award 2005)
- Chetan Sashital- India's Top Voice-Talent
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