Pachkalshi / Panchkalshi are ethnic community of Maharashtra and Goa. They are also known by name of Somvanshi Kshatriya Pathare.[1]
They are one of the original tribes, who migrated to Bombay in 13th century AD with Yaduvanshi king, Raja Bhimdev[2] According to tradition, the Panchkalshis derive their name from the fact that their former headman used to sit on a canopied throne surmounted by five kalashas.[3] They are also priests - Prabhus and related to communities like Pathare Prabhus.[4] Pachkalshis who came with Raja Bhimdev were gardener (Mali), carpenter and herdsman also.[5]
Pachkalshi as well Chaukalshi tribe are found living along the coastal belt of Mumbai & Goa. Panchkalshi consider themselves one notch above Chaukalshis[6][7]
Panchkalshis have founded at least three temples in Mumbai like Malkeshwar temple in Parel and also Mahadev temple named after famous Parli Vaijnath temple is said to have been built by them. Another temple built by them was of their kuldevi Wagheswari Devi.[8][9]