Awasthi Brahmins

History of Awasthi brahmins?

Awasthi Brahmins are a community of Brahmins who primarily reside in the northern parts of India. They belong to the broader category of Brahmins, which is one of the four varnas (social classes) in Hindu society, traditionally considered the priestly class.
The history of Awasthi Brahmins, like other Brahmin communities, is closely intertwined with the ancient social and religious fabric of India. Brahmins are believed to have originated from the mouth of Lord Brahma, the creator deity in Hinduism, and they were entrusted with the responsibility of performing religious rituals, preserving and transmitting sacred knowledge, and advising rulers and society at large.
The exact origins of the Awasthi Brahmins are not clearly documented. However, they are believed to be descendants of the ancient Rishi (sage) Avasthit, who is mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Avasthit Rishi was associated with the Atharvaveda, one of the four Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism. The Awasthi Brahmins trace their lineage back to this revered sage.
Over the centuries, the Awasthi Brahmins, like other Brahmin communities, played a significant role in shaping the religious and cultural landscape of India. They have been custodians of Vedic knowledge, including the performance of religious ceremonies, recitation of sacred texts, and teaching of Vedic principles.
The Awasthi Brahmins, being Brahmins, have traditionally pursued occupations related to education, priesthood, and other intellectual pursuits. Many of them have held positions as priests, scholars, teachers, and advisors in various regions across northern India. They have contributed to the spread of education, preservation of religious traditions, and guidance to the community and society as a whole.
The Awasthi Brahmins belong to the kanya-kubja Brahman categories of Brahmans of northern India as well as in western areas of Nepal, mainly concentrated in Baitadi, Dharchula, but also in Gaur, Saryupari and Sannaadhya.For last several centuries, Awasthi Brahmins have been located in and around Kanpur and Unnao (and the adjoining hinterland i.e. from Kannauj) located in the fertile Gangetic plains of Awadh, presently forming part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Awasthi Brahmins are also found in Kangra district of North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. They have been residing there for several centuries. Some of them, are also located at village Naret & Pantgaon (Askote).
It is believed that during ancient times two Awasthi Brahmins came from Kanya Kubz to Naret for some adventure. One of them was overwhelmed by beauty of that place and decided to live there, Since then. Some of them have now started living at Jauljibi, Dutibagad, Chamtoli and other places in the Pithoragarh district of Kumaon, Uttarakhand State for last several generations. According to another theory, Awasthi Brahmins have migrated from Uttar Pradesh, however there is no recorded proof for this. The geographical area, where majority of Awasthi families are presently located, for last several centuries, has a rich historical heritage and is a crystal ball of ancient as well as the modern Indian civilization. When some parts of India were ruled by mughals then they migrated to far-western Nepal to protect their religion, culture.
No credible source of information exists as regards to the period Awasthi Brahmins had been residing in Awadh area. There is also no complete and authoritative count of North Indian Brahmin sub-castes (or any other castes / sub-castes) in India. For example, Rev. M.A. Sherring in the 1860s, had compiled names of about 2,000 sub-castes of Brahmins in his second volume of his Hindu Tribes and Castes.
According to studies conducted by Rev. M. A. Sherring, all the chief Brahmin gotras are descended from the Saptarishis (sapta means seven and rishiss means sages in Sanskrit). The other meaning of Saptarishis is constellation of Great Bear (Ursa Major).
According to Indian mythology, these seven sages were Brigu, Angirh, Atri, Viswamitra, Kashyap, Vashisht, and Agastya. Awasthi Brahmins belong to sage Upamanyu Gotra, and sage Upamanyus, along with sages like Vishisht, Kundin, Parashara and Jatukaraniya followed the school of (thought) of sage Vasistha. Mythological evidences suggest that the Sage Upamanyus followed the Yajur Veda. The Awasthi Brahmins located in District Pithoragagh of Uttarakhand State belong to Agastya Gotra and are Yajurvedadhyayi. From the ancient times of the Vedic period, Awasthi Brahmins had always excelled in intellectual and martial pursuits. In Brahmin hierarchical level, they are like Shukla, Mishra and Vajpayee Brahmins.
Awasthi Brahmins who have been living in the Malwa region of M.P.,are mostly Shandhya Brahmins. According to old history & “JAGAS” records most of the Awasthi families spreading all over M.P. They were migrated here from Rajasthan. The presence of famous Awasthi ji ki bawadi & sati chaura located at historical place Shahabad, a small town of Baran district in Rajasthan certify this fact. It is considered as the ” Pahala Khera” or the most sacred place of Shandhya Awasthi Brahmin.
Being residing in the ancient land of Awadh and their gotra being Upamanyus, who was indoctrinated in the school (of thought) of sage Vashist, the surname Awasthi is likely to be a shortened “Awadhi” form and derivative of “AwadhVashist”.
The mother tongue of Awasthi Brahmins is Awadhi, an Indo-Aryan language, akin to Hindi. Awadhi is the language, in which, the famed epic Sri Ramacharit Manas was written by Tulasi Das. Like most of the north Indian Brahmins, Awasthi Brahmins do not allow consanguineous marriages, which are in vogue in some social groups in other parts of India. Awasthis from Pithoragadh migrated to Western Nepal during the nepali invasion in Kumano. They are residing at Khatali village of Baitadi District, in Nepal. Some Awasthis migrated to Gajela village of Dadeldhura District in Nepal.