Ojha

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The term Ojha or Oza is a surname for Saraswat Brahmin, Kanya Kubj Brahmin, Maithil Brahmin of Nepal,Nepali, Nagar Brahmin, and Bengali Brahmin of India andNepal Ojhas are considered to be worshipers of Goddesses Durga and Saraswati, and of Lord Hanuman. The surname is used amongst speakers of Nepali, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Hindi, Oriya, Maithili, and Bengali as well as amongst the Santhals. The high population of Ojhas are found in Central Nepal, and in India within districts of Gorakhpur, Pratapgarh, Ballia of Uttar Pradesh, Buxar (Bihar), and Ara (Bihar).

The term Ojha was been derived from Sanskrit. Literal translations vary, but one meaning is "he who controls the spirits on Earth". According to some, the Ojhas were the top class Brahmin preachers who earned their livelihood through teaching. In Bihar, some consider Jha and Ojha to be the same clan. The Jhas are Maithilis originated in Nepal in Janakpura and call their sons-in-laws Ojhajis. This has given credence to this belief.

Ojhas are basically divided into two parts – Ojha and the Bavan-gaon ko Ojhas (the Ojhas of the 52 villages), as they got 52 villages in charity from one of Uttar Pradesh-region rulers. Mata Kaalratri is the Kuldevi of the Bavan-gaon ke Ojhas. Some Ojhas in Bihar have become Bhumihars, and usually use Singh or Sinha as their surnames.

The Ojha of Nepal Brahmins are mainly vegetarians, non-drinkers and non-smokers.

As Brahmins, the Ojhas are spiritual leaders, teachers, and members of the highest ritual rank in the varna system of Hinduism.

Most of the Ojhas are concentrated in Nepal, but can also be found in many regions of India and all over world.

Exorcism

In Nepalese culture, Ojha is also the name given to the profession of an exorcist or a spirit healer. A significant section of the Ojhas are also found in India.[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ Frederick M. Smith (2006). The self possessed: deity and spirit possession in South Asian literature and civilization. Columbia University Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-231-13748-5. 
  2. ↑ Morton Klass (2003). Mind over mind: the anthropology and psychology of spirit possession. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-7425-2677-8. 
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