Bhatt Prabhu Brahmin (commonly known as Parabhu in Konkani) community belongs to Panch Darvida category of Brahmins, and claiming to be a sub-caste of Karhade Brahmin community.
| Total population |
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| Few hundreds |
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It is said that certain Karhade families were excommunicated for some reason during the 14th or 15th century, which lead to the formation of a new community called as the Bhatt Prabhus.[1] But unlike Padyes they did not migrate any other state and chose to remain in Goa.
This group of Brahmins are found only in Goa, since last 80 years they are considered as a subsect of "Padye" Brahmins of Goa, there is no much difference between Padyes and Bhatt Prabhus,the only difference is language,unlike Padyes Bhatt Prabhus speak pure Konkani.[2]. In 1926 CE,Bhatt Prabhus of Goa requested Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar to uplift them and include them among the Padyes,hence they are now a part of Padye clan [3].
They hail from Borim and Shiroda villages of Ponda taluka,in the Indian state of Goa.Konkanakhyan refers them as Deshmukhas of the eight Agraharas[4]
Almost all of them are landowning farmers,though many prominent families were into money-lending business. Unlike most of the Padyes they are not engaged as priests who are either employed by the temples or perform rituals for others.
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