Havyaka Brahmins: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 104.171.58.200
Last edited March 6, 2026
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
added references
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{redirect|Havyaka|the dialect|Havigannada dialect}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Havyaka Brahmins
| group            = Havyaka Brahmins
| image            =
| caption          =
| pop              =
| popplace        = [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]]
| popplace        = [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]]
| langs            = [[Havigannada|Havyaka Kannada]], a dialect of [[Kannada language|Kannada]]
| langs            = [[Havigannada|Havyaka Kannada]], [[Sanskrit]]
| rels            = [[Hinduism]]
| rels            = [[Hinduism]]
| related          =
| native_name      =
| native_name_lang =
}}
}}


'''Havyaka Brahmins''' are the [[Hindu]] Pancha Dravida Vedic [[Brahmin]]s from the [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]]. Havyakas profess the [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaita philosophy]] propounded by [[Adi Shankara]]charya. Most Havyakas can trace their immediate ancestry to either [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Shimoga|Shivamogga]], [[Udupi]], [[Dakshina Kannada]] or [[Coorg|Kodagu]] districts of Karnataka and [[Kasaragod]] district of [[Kerala]].
'''Havyaka Brahmin''', originally called '''Havika Brahmana''', is a  [[Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] community native to the districts of [[Shimoga|Shivamogga]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Dakshina Kannada]], [[Kodagu_District|Kodagu / Coorg]],[[Kanara|coastal Karnataka]] and the [[Kasaragod]] district of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hegde |first=Leena |title=Havyaka Heritage |url=https://www.havyaka.in/heritage |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Havyaka |publisher=Havyaka.in (created by Leena Hegde)}}</ref> Havyakas fall under the [[Pancha-Dravida]] Brahmin category. They are primarily followers of the [[Yajurveda]], but some of them follow the [[Rigveda]] and [[Samaveda|Samaveda Shakas]] as well. They follow the [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaita philosophy]] of [[Adi Shankara]]charya.


== Etymology ==
== Etymology and origin ==
The word Havyaka according to a linguistically correct derivation by Shri Sediyapu Krishna Bhat comes from Ahichchatra Bhrahmana: the community coming from Ahichchtra to Talagunda/Banavasi brought by Kadamba king Mayura Verma. According to Sediyapu, the word "Havyaka" is a Sanskritization of Ahika-Havika. This is supported by inscriptions. Sanskrit scholar Mahamahopadhyaya Nadahalli Ranganatha Sharma rejects Havya+Kavya derivation as grammatically incorrect. The word Havyaka was not used in official records until 1928 including in mutts and there is no basis for it in insciptions. The name "Haiga", "Havika", "Haveeka" persists in Havyaka lexicon.
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
The word Havyaka might also be derived from the place named Haigunda. That region of Karnataka which has been inhabited by Havyakas from ancient times is also called Parashuramakshethra, Gorastradesha, Gokarnamandala. Anaghaa is a summit.[1]
The word, as attested by linguist Sediyapu Krishna Bhat, is derived from ''[[Ahichchhatra|Ahichchatra]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Havyaka Heritage |url=https://www.havyaka.in/heritage |access-date=18 Feb 2025 |website=Havyaka}}</ref> ''Brāhmaṇa''. It was changed to ''Ahika'' and then ''Havika'', and was agreed upon by scholars like Sediyapu and Nadahalli Ranganatha Sharma. The term ''Ahichatra Brāhmaṇa'' is mentioned in inscriptions. Another etymology that is popular for Havyaka is argued to have derived from the Sanskrit word havya, which means "sacred oblation". Thus, ''Havyaka'' could mean "performer of Havana rituals". However, according to Shri Sediyapu Krishna Bhat, the word "Havyaka" is a [[Sanskritisation (linguistics)|Sanskritization]] of Ahika-Havika. They are referred to as "Haviga" in colonial-era documents by British ethnographers. Some variations of this name are "Haiga" and "Havika"; "Haiga" is also the name of the region that is centered around Gokarna and is bounded by [[Tulu Nadu]] to the south; this region is also called ''Parashuramakshethra'', ''Gorastradesha'' or ''Gokarnamandala''. Sanskrit scholar Mahamahopadhyaya Nadahalli Ranganatha Sharma rejects the ''Havya'' + ''kavya'' derivation as grammatically incorrect. The word ''Havyaka'' was not used in official records until 1928, including mathas.


== Origin of Havyakas ==
Havyakas are descended from Brahmins brought from Ahichchatra by King [[Mayurasharma]]n who founded the [[Kadamba dynasty]] in [[Kuntala country|Kuntala]]. These Brahmins were originally from the Ahichchatra kingdom near the modern-day [[Ramnagar, Bareilly|Ramnagar]] village in the modern-day [[Bareilly district]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]]. They were brought in order to perform [[Vedic rituals]] especially the [[Ashvamedha|Ashwamedha]] and were originally housed in ''Talagunda Agrahara'' near [[Soraba]] and [[Shiralakoppa]] towns where the inscription attesting to this fact is found. [[Banavasi]], which is 24 kilometers from [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]] was the capital but Mayuraverma was born in the Talagunda Agrahara. From there, they spread out in the nearby regions primarily following areas which were suitable for areca nut plantations, which they have historically been involved in {{Cite book |last=Thimmappa Kalasi |first=Vidwan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PBicoAEACAAJ |title=Havyakara Itihasa |date=2012 |language=kn |trans-title=The history of Havyakas}}
Exact facts about Havyaka's origin are hard to come by since there is very little research available. However, the scientific school of thought places the date of Havyaka's immigration back to about 1300 years ago i.e.around 9'th A.D. The Kadamba king Mayooravarma-2'nd of 9'th A.D. was instrumental in bringing the first Brahmin families. It is believed that the second Kadamba dynasty brought many Brahmins in to perform the royal rituals and the related functions of the empirical government from a place called [[Ahikshetra]]. Thus the first few families were settled in Banavasi(Sirsi),the capital of the Kadambas and the place adored by Pampa.[3] King Mayooravarma -2'nd act of inviting Brahmins to Banavasi has been inscribed on a stone stab(Shilashasana), which now lies near the village of Varadahalli in [[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagara]]. It is now assumed and claimed that these Brahmin families brought from ahichchathra might be those of present-day havyaka families.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}


The descendants and associates of Parshuram are called [[Tyagi]] Brahmins in Western UP, Bhumihar Brahmins in Eastern U.P. and Bihar, Goud Brahmins in U.P. and Rajasthan, [[Chitpavan|Chitpawan Brahmins]] in Maharashtra, [[Anavil Brahmin|Anavil Brahmins]] in Gujarat, [[Nambudiri|Namboothiri Brahmins]] in Kerela and [[Mohyal Brahmin|Mohyals]] in the Punjab region. Their variants are found with different names all across the Indian sub-continent. They have the same customs and practices.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
Some claims suggest that the Havyakas originated from the Banavasi region and migrated to Ahichachtra (present-day Uttar Pradesh) in response to the threat posed by non-Vedic sects. Centuries ago, Kadambara Mayuravarman, the founder of Karnataka's first royal family, struggled to carry out his religious rituals due to the lack of Brahmins in those days. Therefore, he invited Havyaka families from Ahichachtra to perform Ashwamedha, provided shelter to some villages, and facilitated their settlement. When the Havyakas were concerned about their protection when they came to the Kadamba kingdom, the Kadamba king gave the Haigunda region of the Sharavati shore, which is an island in the midst of the Sharavati River, to the Havyakas so as not to disturb the Vedic works. Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt, one of the most famous gurupeeths, has recently taken charge of Haigunda temple, renovated it under the guidance of Sri Sri Raghaveshwar Bharati Swami, and performs religious programs on special occasions like Navratri.


== Present day ==
== Geographic distribution ==
Havyakas today are the followers of either [[Ramachandrapura Math]] or [https://www.swarnavalli.in/ Swarnavalli Mutt] and are guided by Advaita philosophy of Shankaracharya. Havyakas derive their last names from the jobs that they perform rather than by their origin. They usually have their names end with either Bhat, Shastri, Hegde, Upadhyaya, Madhyastha. Till recently Havyakas were primarily engaged in Vedic professions or they were in agriculture especially growing betel nut, paddy, banana, coconut, etc. A few decades ago they also started entering into all other vocations like business, education, employment, etc.{{cn|date=November 2020}}
Havyakas are native to the [[Soraba]] (ancient town of Surabhipura), Sagara in [[Shimoga]], [[Uttara Kannada]] and the [[Dakshina Kannada]] districts of Karnataka and the [[Kasaragod district]] of Kerala. A smaller percentage can also be found in the Hosanagara, Shivamogga and Thirthahalli taluks in [[Shimoga district|Shivamogga]], [[Chikmagalur district|Chikmagalur]] and [[Kodagu district|Kodagu]] districts. They are found in Sirsi, Siddapura, Yellapura, Kumta and Honnavar in [[Uttara Kannada]]; in [[Puttur, Karnataka|Puttur]] and [[Sullia]] in Dakshina Kannada and in the northern parts of the Kasaragod district such as Kumbla {{Cite book |last=Thimmappa Kalasi |first=Vidwan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PBicoAEACAAJ |title=Havyakara Itihasa |date=2012 |language=kn |trans-title=The history of Havyakas}}.
 
== Notable people ==
{{See also|List of Havyakas}}
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
* [[Asha Bhat]], Indian actress, model and the winner of the Miss Supranational 2014 pageant.
* [[Raghuram Bhat]], Ex-Cricketer, President [[Karnataka State Cricket Association]]
* [[Vishweshwar Bhat]], Journalist, ex-Editor-in-chief Kannada Prabha, Rajyotsava Awardee.  
* [[Urimajalu Ram Bhat]], Politician/MLA, Educationist, Co-founder of [[Vivekananda Degree College]], ex-Chairman of [[Campco]]
* [[Anantkumar Hegde]], Indian politician and Member of Parliament for Uttara Kannada constituency.
* [[Chittani Ramachandra Hegde]], Yakshagana artist. [[Padma Shri]], [[Rajyotsava Prashasti]] awardee.  
* [[Keremane Shivarama Hegde]], Yakashagana artist/dancer, Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee, 1st Yakshagana artist to win [[Rashtrapati Award]]
* [[Ramakrishna Hegde]], former [[Chief Minister of Karnataka]].
* [[Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri]], Indian politician and 22nd speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
* [[Shashidhar Kote]], Singer, Musician, Teacher.
* [[Thimmappaiah Madiyal]], former Director-General and Inspector-General of Police
* [[Diganth Manchale]], Actor.
* [[Ramakrishna (Kannada actor)|Neernalli Ramakrishna]], Actor.
* [[Abhaya Simha]], film director and screenwriter
* [[K. V. Subbanna]], Founder of [[Ninasam]], [[Padma Shri]], Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak and Ramon Magsasay Awardee.
* [[Anant Krishna Shastry]], Indian historian and Professor.


== Rituals ==
== Rituals ==
Males undergo the Upanayana when they turn seven years old to initiate them into Vedic studies.<ref>"[https://www.britannica.com/topic/upanayana]".</ref> It is also known as Brahmopadesham. The key ritual during the Upanayana is that of putting a sacred thread consisting of three cotton strands across the left shoulder of the boy. The initiate is called a dvija "twice-born" and is expected to perform the sandhyavandanam at least twice daily. Dvija has a special knot in it which is called as "Brahma Gantu". Havyaka Brahmins also undergo the Upakarma, where the sacred thread is changed and mudradharana is done. Mudradharana is a ritual where Vaishnavite symbols like the conch or the wheel are etched on bodies as a ritual of purification.[4] Currently, the prevalent practice is to paint the symbols using gopichandana paste. In old vedas it is mentioned that after upanayana he enters the stage of Brahmacharya ashram, leading a celibate and austere life of a student in his teacher's home, eating from handouts given by the generous neighbors. It is equivalent to say he will undergo studies excluding all other aspects in modern days. When he has accomplished his studies of the Vedas, he enters the Grahastha ashram, a married man becoming head of his household. This dvija also called as "Janivara" is replaced with six cotton strands during the wedding.
Males undergo the Upanayana to initiate their Vedic studies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/upanayana | title=Upanayana &#124; Hindu ritual &#124; Britannica }}</ref> It is also known as ''Brahmopadesha''. The key ritual during Upanayana is that of putting a sacred thread called ''yajnopavitha'' or ''janivaara'' consisting of three cotton strands across the left shoulder to the right waist of the boy. The initiate is called a dvija "twice-born" and is expected to perform the Sandhyavandana at least twice daily. Yajnopavitha has a special knot in it which is called as "Brahma Gantu". Havyaka Brahmins also undergo the Upakarma, where the sacred thread is changed.


== Geographic Distribution ==
In old Vedas, it is mentioned that after Upanayana, the boy enters the stage of Brahmacharya ashrama, leading a celibate and austere life of a student in his teacher's home and eating from handouts given by the neighbours. When he has accomplished his studies of the Vedas, he enters the Grahastha ashram, as a married man, becoming head of his household. During the wedding, the groom wears two janivaaras at the same time to signify his marriage.
{{citations needed|date=June 2021}}
Havyakas are mainly concentrated in the state of Karnataka. Dakshina Kannada, Uttar Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamangaluru, and Kodagu Districts in Karnataka and Kasaragod in Kerala are the districts where Havyakas live for centuries. They are now spread all over India, especially in metropolitan cities of Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and other Industrial and business centers. Havyakas are also in large numbers in countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and other places outside India.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}


== Language ==
== Language ==
The Havyakas are united by their unique language. They speak a dialect of Kannada known as Havyaka Kannada. It is similar to mainstream Kannada but draws more words from ancient Kannada. However, most mainstream Kannada speakers find it difficult to understand Havyaka Kannada. The Havyaka dialect is supposed to be quite old. Its origins, like many other things in India, are shrouded in mystery. Notably certain Havigannada(Havyaka Kannada) speakers use neuter gender in place of feminine gender while addressing females.
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
 
{{Main|Havigannada dialect}}
The dialect and even accent of Havyaka Kannada spoken in Uttara Kannada, Sirsi, Shivamogga, and Dakshina Kannada / Kasaragodu regions differ significantly.
The Havyakas are united by their language, known as Havigannada, which is a dialect of [[Kannada]]. There are two distinct dialects of the Havyaka language. One in [[Uttara Kannada]] and [[Shimoga district|Shivamogga]] districts and another in [[Dakshina Kannada]] and [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragodu]] districts. The dialect differs from mainstream Kannada; non-Havyakas who understand and speak Kannada cannot usually understand Havigannada.
 
== Havyaka Food ==
Havyaka people are strict vegetarians and have unique specialty dishes.
 
Havyaka are known to cook food from all the available seasonal vegetables without wasting any part of it. For example, every part of a jackfruit is used to cook items, from dosas to halvas.


The unique variety of dosa include
Most Havyakas also understand mainstream [[Kannada]] (particularly, the Havyakas living in Bangalore, who speak [[Bangalore Kannada]] outdoors and Havigannada at home); the Havyakas who are native to [[Dakshina Kannada]] also understand [[Tulu language|Tulu]] and those from Kasaragod speak Havigannada at home and [[Malayalam]] outdoors. Havyakas who are settled in Goa and Karwar understand and speak Konkani. Apart from this, many of them, especially those living in metropolitan cities, can speak Hindi and English.
Banana Dosa(bale Hanni dose, bale kayi dose), jackfruit dosa (halasina hanni na dose, halasina kayi dose), coconut dosa, cucumber dosa(southe kayi dose), and varieties of rice cakes like:
"halasina kottige", "southe kottige","pathrode" and many more.


There are some unique recipes, like "Tellavu", "Todedevu", "Odape", "Kocheegayi gojju", "Mavinakai gojju", "Kai sasame", "Majjige Polja","Holige", "Appehuli", "Tambuli","Halasinakayi melaara", "Halasina happala", "Kayi rasa", "Atirasa", "Hashi", and "Sandige".
== Havyaka cuisine ==
 
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
== Havyaka Gotra ==
The Havyakas follow a [[Lacto vegetarianism|lacto-vegetarian]] diet. Compared to the cuisines of other communities of [[South India]], Havyaka cuisine is milder and less spicy. [[Rice]], [[curds]], [[buttermilk]] and [[vegetables]] are the staples used in Havyaka cuisine. [[Coconut]] is used in a lot of dishes. Some popular Havyaka dishes include:
The Havyakas Brahmins follow the [[gotra]] system.
* [[Thambuli]]: A dish of chopped vegetables with curd or buttermilk and a seasoning of spices fried in oil.
*[[Vishwamitra]] [Vaiśvāmitra, Devarāta, Autala]
* Sasime: A dish prepared with the ground paste of any vegetable along with curd and a seasoning of spices fried in oil.
*[[Bharadwaja]] 1.[Aṅgirasa, Bārhaspatya, Bharadwāja] 2.[Kauṇḍinya, Maitravāruṇa, Vasiṣṭha]
* Appe huli: A sour and tangy watery soup made from unripe mangoes and chilly.
*[[Vashistha]] [Vasiṣṭha, Śaktya, Paraśara]
* [[Patrode]]: A dish made of colocasia leaves.
*[[Angiras (sage)|Angeerasa]]
* Melara: Mild coconut-yogurt curry which can be made using various vegetables.
*[[Gautama Maharishi|Gautama]] [Āṅgirasa, Āyāsya, Gautama]
Curries are prepared from unripe jackfruits, the ripe jackfruit is used to cook items such as dosas and halvas.
*[[Jamadagni]] [Bhārgava, Chyavana, Apnavāna/Apnuvat, Aurava, Jāmadagnya]
*[[Kashyapa]]
*Mauna Bhargava  [Bhārgava, Vītahavya, Sāvedasa]


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 70: Line 73:
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
https://archive.org/details/Tulunadu
 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuluva_Brahmins
=== Sources ===
https://archive.org/details/218431AncientKarnatakaHistoryOfTuluvaVolI
* {{Cite book |last=Thimmappa Kalasi |first=Vidwan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PBicoAEACAAJ |title=Havyakara Itihasa |date=2012 |language=kn |trans-title=The history of Havyakas}}
https://archive.org/details/AHistoryOfSouthKanara
* {{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Tulunadu/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Tulunadu - Samajika Chariteyalli ondu samshodhanatmaka Vivechane |language=kn |trans-title=Talanadu - A Research Discipline in Social Behavior}}
https://archive.org/details/VaishnavismInVijayanagaraBASaletore_201603
* {{Cite book |last=Anand Saletore |first=Bhasker |url=https://archive.org/details/218431AncientKarnatakaHistoryOfTuluvaVolI |title=Ancient Karnataka History Of Tuluva |publisher=Oriental Book Agency |year=1936 |volume=1 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ramesh |first=K. V. |url=https://archive.org/details/AHistoryOfSouthKanara |title=A History Of South Kanara |date=1970 |publisher=[[Karnatak University]]}}
* {{Cite book |last=Saletore |first=B. A. |url=https://archive.org/details/VaishnavismInVijayanagaraBASaletore_201603 |title=Vaishnavism In Vijayanagara, BA Saletore |date=1940 |id=1111006599313}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.havyakamahasabha.com/ Official Havyaka Mahasabha site]
* [http://www.havyakamahasabha.com/ Official Havyaka Mahasabha site]
* [http://www.havyak.com/ Official Havyaka Association of Americas site]
* [http://www.havyak.com/ Official Havyaka Association of Americas site]
* [https://www.quora.com/Who-are-Havyaka-Brahmins Latest on the Origin of the name]
* [https://www.quora.com/Who-are-Havyaka-Brahmins Origin of the name]
[[Category:Indian surnames]]
[[Category:Kannada Brahmins]]
[[Category:Kannada Brahmins]]
[[Category:Mangalorean society]]
[[Category:Mangalorean society]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of Karnataka]]

Latest revision as of 21:51, 6 March 2026

"Havyaka" redirects here. For the dialect, see Havigannada dialect.

Havyaka Brahmins
Regions with significant populations
Indian state of Karnataka
Languages
Havyaka Kannada, Sanskrit
Religion
Hinduism

Havyaka Brahmin, originally called Havika Brahmana, is a Hindu Brahmin community native to the districts of Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu / Coorg,coastal Karnataka and the Kasaragod district of Kerala.[1] Havyakas fall under the Pancha-Dravida Brahmin category. They are primarily followers of the Yajurveda, but some of them follow the Rigveda and Samaveda Shakas as well. They follow the Advaita philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya.

Etymology and origin[edit | edit source]

The word, as attested by linguist Sediyapu Krishna Bhat, is derived from Ahichchatra[2] Brāhmaṇa. It was changed to Ahika and then Havika, and was agreed upon by scholars like Sediyapu and Nadahalli Ranganatha Sharma. The term Ahichatra Brāhmaṇa is mentioned in inscriptions. Another etymology that is popular for Havyaka is argued to have derived from the Sanskrit word havya, which means "sacred oblation". Thus, Havyaka could mean "performer of Havana rituals". However, according to Shri Sediyapu Krishna Bhat, the word "Havyaka" is a Sanskritization of Ahika-Havika. They are referred to as "Haviga" in colonial-era documents by British ethnographers. Some variations of this name are "Haiga" and "Havika"; "Haiga" is also the name of the region that is centered around Gokarna and is bounded by Tulu Nadu to the south; this region is also called Parashuramakshethra, Gorastradesha or Gokarnamandala. Sanskrit scholar Mahamahopadhyaya Nadahalli Ranganatha Sharma rejects the Havya + kavya derivation as grammatically incorrect. The word Havyaka was not used in official records until 1928, including mathas.

Havyakas are descended from Brahmins brought from Ahichchatra by King Mayurasharman who founded the Kadamba dynasty in Kuntala. These Brahmins were originally from the Ahichchatra kingdom near the modern-day Ramnagar village in the modern-day Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh. They were brought in order to perform Vedic rituals especially the Ashwamedha and were originally housed in Talagunda Agrahara near Soraba and Shiralakoppa towns where the inscription attesting to this fact is found. Banavasi, which is 24 kilometers from Sirsi was the capital but Mayuraverma was born in the Talagunda Agrahara. From there, they spread out in the nearby regions primarily following areas which were suitable for areca nut plantations, which they have historically been involved in Thimmappa Kalasi, Vidwan (2012). Havyakara Itihasa [The history of Havyakas] (in ಕನ್ನಡ).

Some claims suggest that the Havyakas originated from the Banavasi region and migrated to Ahichachtra (present-day Uttar Pradesh) in response to the threat posed by non-Vedic sects. Centuries ago, Kadambara Mayuravarman, the founder of Karnataka's first royal family, struggled to carry out his religious rituals due to the lack of Brahmins in those days. Therefore, he invited Havyaka families from Ahichachtra to perform Ashwamedha, provided shelter to some villages, and facilitated their settlement. When the Havyakas were concerned about their protection when they came to the Kadamba kingdom, the Kadamba king gave the Haigunda region of the Sharavati shore, which is an island in the midst of the Sharavati River, to the Havyakas so as not to disturb the Vedic works. Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt, one of the most famous gurupeeths, has recently taken charge of Haigunda temple, renovated it under the guidance of Sri Sri Raghaveshwar Bharati Swami, and performs religious programs on special occasions like Navratri.

Geographic distribution[edit | edit source]

Havyakas are native to the Soraba (ancient town of Surabhipura), Sagara in Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and the Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka and the Kasaragod district of Kerala. A smaller percentage can also be found in the Hosanagara, Shivamogga and Thirthahalli taluks in Shivamogga, Chikmagalur and Kodagu districts. They are found in Sirsi, Siddapura, Yellapura, Kumta and Honnavar in Uttara Kannada; in Puttur and Sullia in Dakshina Kannada and in the northern parts of the Kasaragod district such as Kumbla Thimmappa Kalasi, Vidwan (2012). Havyakara Itihasa [The history of Havyakas] (in ಕನ್ನಡ)..

Notable people[edit | edit source]

See also: List of Havyakas

Rituals[edit | edit source]

Males undergo the Upanayana to initiate their Vedic studies.[3] It is also known as Brahmopadesha. The key ritual during Upanayana is that of putting a sacred thread called yajnopavitha or janivaara consisting of three cotton strands across the left shoulder to the right waist of the boy. The initiate is called a dvija "twice-born" and is expected to perform the Sandhyavandana at least twice daily. Yajnopavitha has a special knot in it which is called as "Brahma Gantu". Havyaka Brahmins also undergo the Upakarma, where the sacred thread is changed.

In old Vedas, it is mentioned that after Upanayana, the boy enters the stage of Brahmacharya ashrama, leading a celibate and austere life of a student in his teacher's home and eating from handouts given by the neighbours. When he has accomplished his studies of the Vedas, he enters the Grahastha ashram, as a married man, becoming head of his household. During the wedding, the groom wears two janivaaras at the same time to signify his marriage.

Language[edit | edit source]

Main article: Havigannada dialect

The Havyakas are united by their language, known as Havigannada, which is a dialect of Kannada. There are two distinct dialects of the Havyaka language. One in Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts and another in Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragodu districts. The dialect differs from mainstream Kannada; non-Havyakas who understand and speak Kannada cannot usually understand Havigannada.

Most Havyakas also understand mainstream Kannada (particularly, the Havyakas living in Bangalore, who speak Bangalore Kannada outdoors and Havigannada at home); the Havyakas who are native to Dakshina Kannada also understand Tulu and those from Kasaragod speak Havigannada at home and Malayalam outdoors. Havyakas who are settled in Goa and Karwar understand and speak Konkani. Apart from this, many of them, especially those living in metropolitan cities, can speak Hindi and English.

Havyaka cuisine[edit | edit source]

The Havyakas follow a lacto-vegetarian diet. Compared to the cuisines of other communities of South India, Havyaka cuisine is milder and less spicy. Rice, curds, buttermilk and vegetables are the staples used in Havyaka cuisine. Coconut is used in a lot of dishes. Some popular Havyaka dishes include:

  • Thambuli: A dish of chopped vegetables with curd or buttermilk and a seasoning of spices fried in oil.
  • Sasime: A dish prepared with the ground paste of any vegetable along with curd and a seasoning of spices fried in oil.
  • Appe huli: A sour and tangy watery soup made from unripe mangoes and chilly.
  • Patrode: A dish made of colocasia leaves.
  • Melara: Mild coconut-yogurt curry which can be made using various vegetables.

Curries are prepared from unripe jackfruits, the ripe jackfruit is used to cook items such as dosas and halvas.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Hegde, Leena. "Havyaka Heritage". Havyaka. Havyaka.in (created by Leena Hegde). Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Havyaka Heritage". Havyaka. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  3. ↑ "Upanayana | Hindu ritual | Britannica".

Sources[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Havyaka_Brahmins&oldid=476051"
Discover more