Garhwali People - Garhwali Brahmin Clans

Garhwali Brahmin Clans

According to a 2007 study, Uttarakhand has the highest percentage of brahmins of any state in India, with approximately 20% of the population being brahmin. Garhwal, in particular, has a very high percentage of Brahmins (30–40%).

Garhwal is the land famous for the Garhwali Brahmins who are known for being one of the most learned and intellectual clan of Brahmins. Garhwal also has the highest percentage of Brahmins.

The migrations of Brahmins took place in different waves among which the Khas Brahmins of Khas tribe are considered to be the early Aryans who settled in Garhwal. The Khas tribe is found not only in Garhwal but all across the Himalyan region from Kashmir to Nepal and even further. The Khas people adapted to the caste system much later than other communities and as a result the culture of Garhwal is common to both Garhwali Rajputs and Garhwali Brahmins. All their traditions and religious practices are identical which is not the case in the plains area.

The next wave to Garhwal was that of Indo-Aryans and then of the Indo-Iranians which are also common to western himalayas due to the presence of a migrating route from Hindu Kush to Kashmir, Himachal and then to Garhwal and further east to the Gangetic plains and other parts of India. It has been a matter of some debate whether all the Garhwali Brahmins and Rajputs, who form a majority in Garhwal, have migrated from the plains. Most historians and anthropologists do not agree to this claim. If there would have been migrations on such a large basis, it would necessarily find mention in the histories of the states from where they migrated. Also important is to note that why no Jats, Gujjars, Baniyas, Yadavs or Kurmis migrated to the region even when they live in such big numbers in the neighbouring areas of Garhwal. Thus, Garhwali Brahmins are mostly of Khas-Aryan descent of the tajik region Dhoundiyal:- Dhoundiyal Brahmin setteled at Dhound village Pauri garhwal & patti is known Dhoundiyal Sui . All the dhoundiyal Brahmins migrated from Dhound Village dhoundiyal Sui Pauri Garhwal in different region of the country.The first Dev (Kul Devta) of Dhoundiyal is SRI Badrinathji . Nainwal: is an Indian Garhwali clan, with the same surname, found in Uttarakhand in northern India. It is one of the Primary Brahmin caste in this region. .nainwal brahmins are basically Garhwalis and find their roots in Gairoli village near aswalsio-pati with isth dev as narsimha Narasimha is often visualized as half-man/half-lion, having a human-like torso and lower body, with a lion-like face and claws. This image is widely worshipped in deity form by a significant number of Vaishnava groups. He is known primarily as the 'Great Protector' who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need

Gotra is kaundalya in majority of cases. With passage of time myriad of this clan /ppl went in search of livelihood
and settled in different parts of India, Uttarakhand and other parts of the Globe. While some went on to Rudraprayag
settling in gram Sann, the others to pauri etc.

The following are some of the Garhwali Brahmin/Pandit clans/Surnames:

•Raturi Benjwal, Nainwal:, Gairola,Rayal,Deoli, Semwal, Deondi, Dyundi/Dyondi, Goswami, Dwivedi, Baloni, Anthwal, Chamola, Kediyal, Kagdiyal, Binjola, Kandpal, Khali,Dhoundiyal, Chamoli, Joshi, Kothiyal, Dangwal, Malguri, Jhildiyal, Dobriyal, Thapliyal, Thaledi, Kandwal, Hatwal, Dholakhandi/ Dhaulakhandi, Lakhera, Dabral, Jakhmola, Rudola, Jamloki, Dhyani, Painuly (Panuly), Pant, Sati, Kimothi, Dimri, Nawani, Bahuguna, Chaukiyal, Khanduri, Godiyal, Pandey, Tiwari,Shailwal, Joshi, Naudiyal, Nautiyal, Badoni, Raturi, Badola, Barthwal, Mamgain, Chandola, Upreti / Uprety, Bhatt, Pathak, Sarola, Khantwal, Kukreti, Balooni, Bandooni, Budakoti, Kotnala, Naithani, Dhasmana, Juyal, Kala, Dobhal, Duklan, Bijalwan, Uniyal, Maithani, Sundriyal, Dandriyal, Maikhuri, Kothari, Sareera, Baukhandi, Kapruwan, Pokhriyal, Todaria/Todariya, Babulkar, Karnatak, Dobriyal, Gauniyal, Jadli, Ghildiyal, Ghanshyala, Sundali, Saklani, Devrani, Kulasari/Kulashri, Balodi, Gaur, Belwal, Baunthiyal, Khughshal/Kugshal/Kukshal, Hindwan, Benjwal,Kimothi,Deorari, Jugran, Kharkwal, Panthari, Vashistha (Maikota),Upadhya,Tripathi,kundliya, Maindola, kaktwan, khansli \and many more.