Pushkarna

Contents

Introduction

Pushkarna is one of the Brahmin communities in India. The Pushkarnas primarily hail from Sindh (Pakistan)and Persia (Iran) region.

Migration

Most of the Pushkarna Brahmins migrated from erstwhile Bharatvarsh (now theocratic Pakistan) to India. The initial migration began during the Islamic Invasion in 800 AD. Some historians claim this phase began initially with the migration from Pakistan to Jaisalmer, and from there to Phalodi, Pokhran and Jodhpur (in India). Subsequently Pushkarnas settled in other parts of India. The second phase of migration took place around the partition of India in 1947, when most of the families settled in Khairthal (Alwar). There was a notable migration in 1971, mainly to Barmer. There is also evidence of smaller, intermittent migrations between these main movements.

Evidence of migration are commonly found embossed on the traditional utensils around the Sindhi cities such as Thatta and Hyderabad (Sindh, as well as in Pakistan). Many Pushkarna can also trace a common lineage to Sindh.

One theory of migration also suggests that during the Islamic Invasion in Sindh in 800 AD, Pushkarnas went to settle in Central Asian countries, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. However, as a sign of respect for the place they came from (like Chhang or Chhat), they used surnames like Chhangani, Chattani, etc. This phase integrated several elements of Central Asian Culture that still can be observed in its remnants like the spices, food preparation etc. The community came back from Central Asia once the regions they belonged to were stable.

Faith

Smartism,Shaivism, Vaishnavism and prayers to goddess are common, as isht or primary deity. Hanuman Ji and Baba Ramdev are also highly revered.

Prayers to all the gods, and none as the prime deity is commonly practised.

There is an enormous faith in Shiva in the community. Famous temples are: Mandalnath, Balaknath, Eklingji (situated 22 km from Udaipur) etc.

The adoloscent avatar of Lord Krishna is prayed to in the form of ShinrathJi. The famous ShrinathJi temple is situated in Nathdwara (48 km from Udaipur), Rajasthan. The followers are said to belong to a sect called 'Vallabh Kul'.

Pushkarna revere the famous Maa Ushtvahini (or the one who rides on a camel) as their Kul Devi. The community also has a deep faith in Dehra Mata (supposedly the idol was brought during the time of their migration from Sindh, and later reinstated here) and Latiyal Mata temple. The goddess Ashapura Mata is worshipped as the isht devi and Kul Devi (deity) by some of the Pushkarnas (Vyas of Mewar and Bissas of Bikaner). Maa Ashapura's temple is situated at Bedwas village (5 km from Udaipur city).

Thakur ji in form of Shri Hanuman ji has been blessing the pushkarna brahmins for ages. People revere Marutinandan immensely.

Prayers to trinity are quite common as well. Apart from theses Pushkarnas also pray to Baba Ramdevji of Ramdevra (Pokhran), also known as Runicha.

Settlements

Pushkarnas supposedely lived on both sides of Sindhu(Indus) river or Pushkarni river. Hence the community is also referred to as Sindhuvarni brahmins. Spread across the world, Pushkarnas reside primarily in Rajasthan. Pushkarnas are also settled in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab (India) and Tharparkar District of Pakistan. Sizable Pushkarna brahmin populations in Rajasthan are located in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Khairthal (Alwar), Jaipur and Barmer. Some other cities in Rajasthan (Udaipur, Kishangarh, Jaisalmer), and in Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Gandhidham, Vadodara) also have large Pushkarna populations. Small communities are also located in Dubai, the USA and Sharjah.

Culture

The languages spoken by Pushkarnas are primarily offshot of the root language Dhatki or Dhati. Local languages like Marwari, Gujarati, Sindhi, Mewari and Punjabi are also spoken by brahmins living in communities where these languages are spoken. Interestingly, some of words in the vocabulary originate from Saraiki.

Alcohol is generally not a part of Pushkarna life. Some of the famous Pushkarna dishes are heero,(seera), ker-komatiya, hongri, (sangri), gatta, (gatte), lawasi, ker dakhon ro haag, haldi ro haag, dal-bati-churma, gulaab and kheech.

Most Pushkarnas are strictly vegetarian. Use of onions, garlic and carrots is prohibited in traditional Pushkarna families (and is largely practiced).

Various folk lores praising the bravery and intellect of the clan are sung across both sides of border, in India and Pakistan.

The orthodox families follow a purdah system for females in front of elder brothers in law and fathers in law. This is largely regarded as an expression of deep respect. The family structure is patriarchal, with ample participation from females. Forefather worship (Pitra Puja) is practiced by Pushkarna Brahmins.

The marriages are generally quite flamboyant. The characteristic of having 4 pheras (a practice close to Vedic Religion) during marriage, unlike 7 is unique. There is also great zeal for community marriages, especially in Bikaner. Large numbers of marriages are held on a particular day in the sawa, every 4 years. Hence this is sometimes also known as marriage olympics. However, due to the unavailability of an effective platform for Pushkarnas to identify and contact different members of the community, the different lingusitic subgroups within the larger Pushkarna brahmin community across the world often marry outside the Pushkarna brahmin community.

Hathai is a unique concept where in, males discuss their day to day activities, as well as other vital and non-vital forms of conversations. It's associated with an elevated sitting place, generally near the bustling parts/roads of the city. Hathai is an important cultural cornerstone in the walled cities of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer etc. Literal Connotation is negative in local languages with references such as " Aa kai hathai jamai ho ate ?" ( Why this whiling of time by the group ?) ( Source : Marwari )

Common Surnames (Gotra)

References