Deshastha Brahmin

Maharashtrian Deshastha Brahmin

Regions with significant populations
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh cities of Gwalior,Indore,Ujjain, & Dhar, Baroda in Gujarat, & Tamil Nadu
Languages
Majority speak Marathi. A small number of people speak Kannada,Tamil or Telugu
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Marathi people Maharashtrian Brahmin Karhade Konkanastha Devrukhe

Deshastha Brahmins (Marathi: देशस्थ ब्राह्मण) are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste primarily from the Indian state of Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka. Deshastha, in Sanskrit, means inland and thus, Deshastha Brahmins are Brahmins living in the interiors (away from the coasts). Template:Inote

Deshastha Population & Geographical Location

Maharashtra, the State in India where majority of Deshastha live

Deshastha Brahmins (Marathi: देशस्थ ब्राह्मण) are a Brahmin sub-caste primarily from the Indian state of Maharashtra, but can be found in other states of India too. Deshastha, in Sanskrit, means inland and thus, Deshastha Brahmins are Brahmins living in the interiors (away from the coasts).With Chitpavan (Konkanastha) & Karhade Brahmin, Deshastha form the three major Brahmin communities of Maharashtra with Deshastha by far the largest of the three. The community is now predominantly urban.

In Southern India, there are two communities of Deshashstha known as Deshastha Madhva Brahmins, who follow the teachings of Madhvacharya and Deshastha Smartha Brahmins, who follow the teachings of Shankaracharya respectively. The surnames of these mainly Kannada speaking Deshastha brahmins can be identical to those of Maharashtrian deshastha brahmins (e.g. Kulkarni, Deshpande, Joshi etc.)

Marathi speaking Deshastha can also be found in large numbers outside Maharashtra in the former Maratha ruled or Maratha confederacy States/cities of Indore, Baroda , Ujjain , Gwalior , Dhar and Tanjore.

Unlike the British Raj colonial administration, the Indian government at the ten year census does not collect data on upper castes and the associated sub-castes. Therefore it is difficult to know precisely how large deshastha population is. However, the number can be estimated as 2 million by extrapolating from the colonial era census reports. Deshastha as mentioned elsewhere in the article are Indo-Aryan. Appearance wise, they are similar to other communities in Maharashtra.

Deshastha History

File:Ramdas.gif

Image of Deshastha Saint Samartha Ramdas

Deshastha may be the Maharashtrian brahmin community with longest known history. Sant Dnyaneshwar from 12th century was deshastha. As were the saints, Eknath and Ramdas from relatively recent times (16th & 17th century respectively) . The close advisors and ministers of Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century founder of Maratha empire were Deshastha. Unfortunately, history of Maharashtra and therefore of deshastha before 12th century is quite sparse. The cave paintings of Ajanta and sculptures from other places show Buddhism to be the dominant religion in Maharashtra during the first millennium of the present era. One can only speculate whether, Deshastha had kept Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) going during the Buddhist period or converted from Buddhism after the decline of that religion in India. Appearance wise, H.H. Risley's work durinng the 1901 census [1] found Deshastha to be indistinguishable from most other castes like Maratha] or koli in Maharashtra.

Deshastha Society & Culture

Deshastha — like all other Brahmins — trace their paternal ancestors to one of the seven sages or saptarshi. This way they classify themselves into eight gotras, named after the ancestor rishi.

Deshastha have two sub sects, Rigvedi and Yajurvedi. Inter-marriage between these sub sects was uncommon until recently, although there is no taboo against this. Like most families in Maharashtra & other states, Deshastha families also have their own "unique" family deity , Kuldevta mainly Goddess (Parvati known by different names such as Bhavani, Amba etc. A number of families also have Khandoba and Balaji as their Kuldevta. The Kuldevta is invoked on auspious occasions like weddings and initiation ceremony (munja or Upanayanam) to obtain her blessings. Families also make pilgrimage to their Kuldevta temples after an auspicious occasion. The location of the Kuldevta temple may give a clue as to the original abode of a particular family because families may have chosen a particular temple as Kuldevta for geographical proximity.

Like most other castes in India, deshasthas are a patrilineal society and children derive their group or caste association from their father.

Image of a Deshastha woman in the traditional nine yard sari

By tradition, like other Brahmin communities of Southern India, Deshastha Brahmins are lacto vegetarian. The special dishes for Deshastha and some other Marathi communities may be the simple toor dal varan. Metkut is another Brahmin specialty. Deshastha use black spice mix or kala masala in the cooking. Traditionally, each family had their own recipe for the spice mix. However, this tradition is giving way to housewives buying the mixed spice pack directly from retailers.Puran poli for festivals is another Marathi Brahmin special dish.

Deshastha women traditionally wore a nine yard sari. The way they wore the nine yard sari was different from Women of other castes.Traditionally, unlike women from other caste groups in Maharashtra, Deshastha women do not cover their head with their sari. Men wore dhotis again in a "Brahmin way'. For religious ceremonies men & boys wore coloured silk dhoti called "sovale". In modern times, women wear the five yard sari. Salwar kameez and Western clothes are popular amongst the young.

Despite decades of campaign against casteism, Deshastha tend to be mostly endogamous. However, marriages between Deshastha and other maharashtrian Brahmin communities such as Karhade and Kokanastha are common. Marriages between Maharashtrian Deshastha and Kannada Deshastha are also common, particularly in the border region of the two states. Deshastha differ from Kokanstha in allowing cross-cousin marriages (A man marrying his maternal uncle's daughter). Due to concerns about genetic defects, this practice is dying out. Ironically, unrelated men and women of the same gotra are considered related and therefore marriage between people from the same gotra is considered incest.

Until the beginning of British colonial period, Deshastha were one of the few literate communities in Maharashtra, The traditional occupations of Deshastha were priest of Hindu temples or to conduct religious family ceremonies, village revenue officials, astrologer and administrators. A large number were also farmers. In modern times, Deshastha occupations range from being factory workers to being Doctors, lawyers, teachers, top administrators and Engineers. Deshastha Women are also going into higher education and as a result can be found in high ranking professions.

Unfortunately, until recent times, like other high castes of Maharashtra and India, Deshastha also followed the practice of segregation from other castes cosidered lower in the social hierachy. Until a few decades ago, a large number of Hindu temples, presumably with a Deshastha priest, barred entry to the so called untouchables. This practice died out due to the campaigns conducted by leaders like Veer Savarkar. Legislation outlawing caste discrimination after Indian independence may also have played a part in eliminating the segregation and untouchability.

Rituals, Ceremonies and Festivals

Although many rituals that were practiced in ancient times are no longer followed, some traditions are continued to this day. The rituals, ceremonies and Hindu festivals described below are also followed by other Marathi people or Hindu communities. Unique Deshastha traditions are mentioned where possible.

Deshasthas are initiated into rituals at the time of Birth itself. At the time of birth, a horoscope is made for the child based on the position of the stars. Then Deshasthas undergo the naming ceremony (barse). During the ceremony the child's paternal aunt (father's sister) has the honour of naming the infant. In Gujarat, children are named according to the letter associated with a particular birth-sign (Ras in Marathi).However, this tradition is either not followed in Maharahtra or the name according to the ras is kept hidden in order to ward off possible black magic. When the child is one year old, the first cutting of the infant's hair (jawal) is a significant ceremony too.

When a male child reaches his seventh birthday he is eligible for thread ceremony also known as munja or Upanayanam. From that day on, he becomes an official member of his caste, and is called a dwija (translated in English as"twice-born"). In ancient times, the boy was sent to gurukula to learn Vedas and scriptures. He then practices extreme discipline during the period known as brahmacharya. He lives a celibate life, living on alms, and surviving on selected vegetarian saatvic food and observing considerable austerity in behaviour and deeds. The individual had to perform daily fire worship, and perform prayers without fail. Though such practices are not followed in modern times by a majority of Deshasthas, all Deshasthas boys undergo the sacred thread ceremony before marriage. Besides this, twice-born Deshasthas need to perform annual ceremonies to replace their sacred threads with new ones. This is performed on Shravan full moon day (narali Pornima in Marathi).Like most other Hindu communities, Deshasthas have a shrine called devghar in their house with statues, symbols, and images of various deities. Satya narayana pooja is also performed for special occasions. Ritual reading of religious texts called pothi is also popular.

A typical Deshasthas marriage consists of Seemant poojan on the wedding eve. The dharmic lagna includes the antarpat ceremony and finally the bridegroom and the bride walk around the sacred fire seven times to complete the marriage. Modern urban wedding ceremonies conclude with an evening reception.

The other extremely important rituals for the Deshasthas are the death ceremonies. All Deshasthas are cremated according to Vedic rites, usually within a day of the individual's death. The death rites include a 13-day ceremony. The ashes of the departed are immersed in a river or the sea. Like all other Hindus, the preference is for the ashes to be immersed in the Ganga river. There is also a yearly shraddha that needs to be performed. These rituals are expected to be performed only by male descendants (preferably the eldest son) of the deceased.

There are other rituals for different occasions like Vastushanti (entering a new house), performing yagnas for the welfare of world, etc.

File:Goddess Renukamata of Mahur - Maharashtra.jpg

Image of Renuka of Mahur,deity for many Deshastha families

File:The origanal photo of god Khandoba temple devhara of Jejuri.jpg

Khandoba of Jejuri

In traditional families any food is first offered to God as naivedya, and then eaten. Food is not considered to be consumed before this religious offering. While preparing lunch, some families also prepare a small portion for cow. In contemporary Deshasthas families, the naivedhya is offered only on festival days. Deshastha like other Marathi people visit the temple of their family deity or Kuldevta after important occasions like weddings. The list of deshastha surnames show that apart from Balaji of Tirupati, all other Kuldevta temples are in the state of Maharashtra.

Deshasthas follow the Shaka Hindu calendar. The year starts on the first day of Chaitra known as Gudi Padwa which falls around March or April of the Western calendar. A gudi or victory pole is erected outside the house on this day. The special dish on the day includes shreekhand. Neem leaves are eaten on this day to ward off illness during the new year. Gudi Padwa like Diwali Padwa and Dasara is considered one of the 3 and half auspicious days of the Marathi calendar and astrological charts need not be consulted for conducting important ceremonies such as weddings. During Chaitra women also hold a Haldi-kunku celebration. Chaitra is, however, considered inauspicious for weddings.

Ram Navami and Hanumanjayanti , the birthdays of Shree Ramchandra and Hanuman respectively are also celebrated in the month of Chaitra.

Narali Pornima - On this Shravan full moon day, Deshastha men change the sacred thread. In northern India, this day is celebrated as Raksha bandhan. Marathi people in general have adopted the Raksha bandhan tradition of sisters tying a rakhee on the wrist of their brothers. A special sweetened rice with coconut, called Narali Bhat in Marathi is the special dish of the day.

Janmashtami - Birthday of Lord Krishna on Shravan Vadya ashtami is observed with a fast.

Ganeshotsav- Festival of Lord Ganesh. Through, Lokmanya Tilak's efforts Ganeshotsava became a public celebration a century ago. However, Deshasthas families also install their own clay (called shadu in Marathi) Ganpati in their house on Ganesh Chaturthi. The private celebration can go on for 1 1/2 days to full 10 days according to each family's tradition. A Modak (steamed rice dumpling usually with a jaggery/coconut filling) is a sweet prepared for this occasion, and is considered the favourite of Lord Ganesh. Ganeshotsav also incorporates the Gauri festival. Deshasthas install statues of the Gouri. Kokanstha brahmins on the other hand use special rocks as symbols of Gauri.

Navaratri - the nine-day festival of Durga culminates in Vijayadasami (Dasara). This is the one the three auspicious days of the year . Traditionally, stars need not be consulted for starting a new project on this day. People also exchange leaves of Apti tree as symbol of gold. During Navaratri women and girls hold bhondla, a singing party in honor of the Goddess.

Kojagiri Pornima (Ashwin Pornima) on autumn Full Moon day is celebrated with sweetened milk and by honoring the eldest child in the family.

Diwali - The festival of lights is celebrated over five days. The Deshasthas celebrate this in their unique style by waking up early in the morning and having and oil bath. People light their houses with lamps, and burst fire crackers over the course of the festival. Special sweets and savories like anarse, karanji, chakli, chivda (Bombay mix), ladoo are prepared for the festival. Colorful Rangoli are made in front of the house. Kids make a replica fort in memory of Shivaji, the great Maratha leader.

Makar Sankranti - This mostly falls on January 14 when the Sun enters Capricorn. In Maharashtra, the day is celebrated by giving and receiving sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds called tilgool and halwa. During the exchanging of the sweets, people say to each other in Marathi "Til-gool Ghya aani God Bola" (rough translation: Please accept my til-gool & be friendly to me or Take sweet, talk sweet"). Special chappati with jaggery (gool poli) is the dish of the day.

Shivaratri - Worship day of Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva is pleased with austerities, so no sweets are prepared. Instead, people are expected to fast the whole day.

The festival Holi fallls in Falgun, the last month of the marathi Shaka Calendar. Deshastha celebrate this festival by lighting a bonfire and offering puran poli to the fire. In North India, Holi is celebrated over two days with the second day celebrated with throwing colors. Maharashtrians and deshasthas celebrate color throwing five days after Holi on Rangpanchami

Deshasthas keep certain days for fasting. Some of the days Deshasthas fast are, Ekadasi, Chaturthi Shivaratri, Janmashtami & Hartalika for women. A lot of people fast during the week in honour of a particular god, for example, Monday for Shiva, Saturday for Maruti and Shani (planet Saturn) etc.

Residence of Deshasthas

Deshasthas nowadays live mostly in urban centres. However, they are to be found in certain rural areas as well. Brahmins have been migrating in search of higher education and employment for number of years now. A large number educated Brahmins including deshasthas have moved abroad to USA, UK & other countries. Indeed, a simple search of surnames of Maharashtrian families in US will reveal mostly brahmin(all sub-groups) or CKP names.

Social and political issues

During ancient and mediaeval periods, Deshasthas (and Brahmins in general) rose to prominence in Indian society, primarily due to their emphasis on spiritual life and scholarship, particularly in terms of their expertise in the Vedas and the attendant religious rituals. Most of Shivaji Maharaj's administrative officers were Deshastha Brahmin. Later, during the British raj they also acquired English education and served as clerks during the British rule in India. Such a relatively privileged life during the colonial period led to resentment from other castes. In Maharashtra, deshasthas and other brahmin groups have been politically marginalized. In addition, quotas & reservation for disadvantaged groups in government jobs and in colleges have led to further squeezing of opportunities for brahmins everywhere in India. In recent decades, with the rise of BJP & Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, a number of Deshastha politicians rose to prominence. Notable among them include the late Pramod Mahajan and Manohar Joshi.

Deshastha Women

Deshastha teenage girls from 1950s

The deshastha woman from the past is portrayed as woman draped in a nine yard saree. Such dress is becoming rare among deshastha women now. Traditional deshastha women, both married and unmarried wear a "kunku" (red dot, also known as kumkum/sindoor/bindi) on their forehead and married women always wear the mangalsutra. This is a sacred gold neckless tied by the bridegroom around the bride's neck and along with kunku serves the same purpose as the wedding ring to signify the married status of a woman. Being a patrilineal society, a deshastha woman becomes part of her husband's family after marriage and adopts the gotra/lineage as well as the traditions of her husband's family. Decades ago, deshastha girls used to get married to the groom of their parents' choice by t early teens or before. Even now girls are married off relatively early (between 18-20 years old) by rural less educated Deshastha families, Also in the past, a Deshastha widow was never allowed to re-marry, while it was acceptable for deshastha widowers to re-marry. Divorces were considered a "great evil". Decades ago, Deshastha widows used to shave their heads and wear simple red sari. She had to stop wearing the kunku /bindi on her forehead. Basically, they had to lead a very austere life with little joy. All of these practices have fallen by the wayside over the last few decades, and modern Deshastha widows lead better lives and younger widows also remarry.

Deshastha Surnames & Families

A large number of Deshastha surnames are derived by adding the suffix -kar to the village from which the family originally hailed. So, for example, Bidkar come from town of Bid. The names Kulkarni, Deshpande and Joshi are very common amongst Deshastha Brahmins and denote their professions. For example, Kulkarni means revenue collector and Joshi means Astrologer. In this list the above common Deshastha surnames like Kulkarni will be repeated several timesbecause although the names are the same, the subgroup, gotra may be different. Similarly, In the list complied but placed on a different page, Deshastha families are classified using the Rigvedi / Yajurvedi subgroup, Gotra and the families' Kuldevta.From the list it can also be found out that the Adawadkar and Ghotkar families are related because they have identical gotra, kuldevta and are both rigvedi. The other related pairs are Bhalerao / Pol and Dixit / Shouche.

• List of Deshastha Brahmin last names

See also

• Brahmins
• Forward Castes

Prominent Deshastha Brahmins

Saints

• Nivruttinath
• Dnyaneshwar
• Sopandev
• Muktabai
• Changdev
• Visobakhechar
• Bhanudas
• Eknath
• Madhvamunishwar
• Janardanswami
• Dasopant
• Damajipanta
• Samarth Ramdas
• Narasimha Saraswati
• Moraya Gosawi
• Krushanadayarnav
• Akkalkotswami
• Gondawalekar Maharaj
• Gulawani Maharaj
• Shreedharswami
• Upasani Maharaj
• Pant Maharaj Balekundrikar

Literature/Scholars

• Bhaskaracharya[great mathematician]
• Bhatobas[scholar in Mahabhunav Sect]
• Mhaimbhat[scholar in Mahanubhav sect]
• Bhaskarbhatta Borikar[writer of Shishupalvadh]
• Saraswati Gangadhar[writer of Gurucharitra]
• Bhavabhuti
• KaviNarendra
• Hemadapanta[architect&father of modi script]
• Kamalakarbhatta[great Sanskrit scholarin 13th century]
• Nagojibhatta[great Sanskrit scholar in 16th century]
• Gagabhatta[great Sanskrit scholar of Kashi in 17th century]
• Narayanbhatta
• Nilakanthabhatta
• Vidyanidhi Kavindra
• Bopdev
• Mukundraj
• Mukteshwar
• Shridhar
• Mahipati
• Vamanpandit
• Raghunathpandit
• Amrutarai
• Ram Joshi
• Anant Phandi
• Kavi Chandrashekhar
• Shahir Patthe Bapurao(Shridhar Krushnaji Kulakarni)
• Dr. Ramchandra Dekhane Famous Scholar, Orator of "Santa-Vangmay",as well as authority in the field of "Santa-Vangmay"
• Laxaman Ramachandra Pangarkar
• Balakavi[Tryambak Bapuji Thombare]
• Datta Raghunath Kavthekar
• Pralhad Keshav Atre
• B.S.Mardhekar [Ba.Si]
• Nagorao Ghanashyam Deshpande
• Govinda Vishwanath Kulakarni
• Gurunath Aabaji Kulakarni
• N.M Sant
• Indira Sant
• Prakash Sant
• Sudhir Rasal [Marathi Literature Critic]
• Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar [Jnanapeeth Award winner poet&writter]
• Tarkatirtha Lakshamanshastri Joshi[great Sanskrit scholar]
• MahaMahopadhyaya Siddheshwarshastri Chitrao[great Sanskrit scholar]
• MM. Yadneshwarshastri Kasture great Sanskrit scholar
• Prof.S.B.Varnekar [Famous Sanskrit Scholar]
• Setu Madhavarao Pagadi [famous historian]
• Babasaheb Purandare[famous historian]
• G D Madgulkar[modern Valmiki of India]
• Vyankatesh madgulkar[famous writter]
• Suresh Bhat
• Vidyadhar Pundalik
• N.G.Nandapurkar
• Shirish Atre-Pai
• V. P. Kale
• Tryambak Vishnu Sardeshmukh
• Y. K. Deshpande (Historian and authority in the field of Mahanubhav literature)
• K.P(Kru.Pa)Kulakarni famous historian
• Narahar Kurundakar
• G.P.Deshapande (Go. Pu) [Famous Dramatision]
• Prof. Ram Shewalkar
• Dr.T.K.Tope [former vice chancellor of Mumbai University]
• Milind Bokil
• Monika Gajendragadakar
• Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje [Famous Agriculture Scientist]
• K.V.Belasare
• Prof. Shrinivas Kulakarni [Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences at Caltech or the California Institute of Technology)]
• Abhay Ashtekar [Quantum Physicist]
• Dr. Vasant Govarikar Famous Scientist
• Anant D. Adawadkar Famous Orator on "Santa-Vangmay" from Vidarbha
• Sudhakar Nerlekar Famous Marathi poet and writter
• Ba Si Mardhekar [Important Marathi Poet of Post-independence era]
• Saleel Wagh [Leading Contemporary Marathi Poet]
• Pramod Khargonekar [2] [Dean, College of Engineering, University of Florida and a well known control theorist]
• (Late) Prof. Dr. Vasant V Parkhe - Exponent of Marathi literature - Mahanubhava pantha and sant kavi from Dombivli - Maharashtra

Astrologist

• Ganesh Daivadnya
• Jagannath Joshi(Samrat)
• K.L.Daptari
• Jyotishacharya Harihar Sitaram Rajandekar, Maharashtriya Panchanga
• Jyotishacharya Vaman Harihar Rajandekar, Maharashriya Panchanga
• Jyoishrana Vidya.A.Rajandekar, Maharashtriya Panchanga
• Uddhav Vishnu Ruikar, Ruikar Panchang
• Sharad Upadhye

Education

• Mrs. Usha Rasal [Principal of Modern Highschool, Pune]
• Dr Narhar Waman Hirwe (1935)One of the founder Professors at Royal Institute of science Bombay
• S B Junnarkar [Author of many Engineering Books]
• Dr P P Vitkar Prominent GeoTechnologist. Director, RS College of Engineering, Pune

Politics and social reform

Kholeshwer Commander in Chief of an army of Yadava's in 12th centuary

• Akkanna & Maddanna Pingali Commander in Chief of an army of Kutubshahi
• Dadoji Kondadev
• Murar Jagadev
• Moropant Pingale['Pradhan' in Shivaji Maharaj's Asthapradhan mandal]
• Annaji Datto['Sachiv' in Shivaji Maharaj's Asthapradhan mandal]
• Pralhad Niraji
• Diwan Sir T Rama Rao
• Udharasironmani R Padmanabha Rao
• Ramachandrapant Amatya['Amatya' in Shivaji Maharaja's Asthapradhan mandal]
• Moreshwer Pandirao ['Panditrao' in Shivaji Maharaj's Asthapradhan mandal]
• Niraji Rawaji ['Nyayadhish' in Shivaji Maharaj's Asthapradhan mandal]
• Dattaji Trimbak Vakanis ['Mantri' in Shivaji Maharaj's Asthapradhan mandal]
• Ramchandra Trambak Dabir ['Sumant' in Shivaji Maharaj's Ashapradhan mandal]
• Shankaraji Narayan
• Vittal Shivdev Vinchurakar
• Sardar Purandare
• Krushanaji Anant Sabhasad
• Shripatrao Pratinidhi
• Sakharambapu Bokil
• Tatya Tope
• Rajaguru
• Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
• Balasaheb Devaras
• Dada Dharmadhikari
• Dadasaheb Khaparde
• Karnataksinha Gangadharrao Deshpande
• Dr.B.S.Munje
• Lokanayak Madhav Shrihari Ane
• Balasaheb Pantpratinidhi [ruler of Aundh]
• Comred Shripad Amrut Dange[great communist leader of India]
• Smt. Rukmini Lakshmipathy Former Health Minister in the former Madras Province-First Woman to become a Minister in the Madras Province
• Smt. Durgabai Deshmukh - Freedom Fighter, Member, Planning Commission and Founder, All India Social Welfare Board
• Smt. Shantabai Talpallikar - Fought against Nizam's rule in Hyderabad, one of the first woman member of Assembly from Andhra Pradesh (1952).
• H.V.Patasakar former vice chancellor of Pune Univercity& Governor of Madhya Pradesh
• Dadasaheb Dharmadhikari
• Baba Amte
• Nanaji Deshamukh
• Balasaheb Kesakar Former Information & Broadcasting Minister Of India
• Madhu Dandavate
• Manohar Joshi
• Pramod Mahajan
• Nitin Gadakari
• Vilas Avachat
• Anant Bhalerao [Famous Editor Of 'Marathawada']
• Dadasaheb Potanis [owner & Editor of 'Gaokari',Nasik
• BinduMadhav Joshi [Founder of Grahak Panchayat]
• Prof. Vishnu Govind Vijapurkar [First Promotor Of National Education in Maharashtra. Founder of 'Samarth Vidyalay'at Kolhapur
• S.V.(Mamasaheb)Gandhe [Founder of 'Maitraban'residential village for old age people,Nagpur.]
• Anil Avachat [Founder Of 'Muktangan']
• Pandit Raghunath Vinayak Dhulekar [Member of Parliament 1952, Jhansi,Speaker,Vidhan Parishad 1958, Uttar Pradesh]
• sudhakar pant paricharark (president s.t. mahamandal , maharshtra)

Industry

• N.R. Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys
• Gururaj Deshpande founder of Sycamore Networks
• Abasaheb Garware (Garware Industries)
• D.S.Kulakarni [DSK Udyoga Samuha]
• Madhu Kulakarni [Publisher,Shrividya Publication]
• Anirudha Kulakarni [Publisher,Continental Publication]
• Shrinivas Thanedar, Chemir Chemicals www.chemir.com
• Suhas Avachat, Hotel Goa-Portuguese
• Sachin Kulkarni, [http://www.qualexsystems.com QualEx

Systems]

• Sachin Jakatadar [Sachin Travels]
• Prakash Bhalerao [Famous Industralist & founder of many software companies in sylicon vally]
• Deepak Kanegaokar Gandhasugandha company
• UDAY TARDALKAR [COO,UTI SECURITIES]

Sports

• Erapally Srinivasa Prasanna(E.A.S. Prasanna), Cricket Player
• Rahul Dravid, Captain of Indian Cricket team.
• Nilesh Kulkarni Cricketer of Mumbai
• Pradip Gandhe [Famous International Badminton Player. President of Maharashtra State Badminton Association.Vice-President of All India Badminton Association.]
• Prasad Purandare [National Education Foundation.] [www.nefonline.com]
• Uday Deshpande ['Mallakhamb'coach.Dadojikondadev Awardee,2005]
• Aaditi Deshpande ['Mallakhamb'Player.Chatrapati Awardee,2005]
• Sulakshana Kulkarni [former crickter of mumbai]
• Anjali Ved Pathak Bhagwat

Music

• Balgandharva[famous singer]
• Haribhau Deshpande [famous 'Organ player']
• Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande
• Master. Krushanarao Phulambrikar[famous singer]
• Savai Gandharva[famous singer]
• Bhimsen Joshi Popular khayal singer of Kirana Gharana
• Rahul Deshpande
• Vamanrao Deshapande
• Balakrushnabua Ichalakaranjikar
• Dr. Prabha Atre
• Satyashil Deshpande
• Salil Kulkarni Famous Musician
• Pt. Aravinda Gajendragadakar[Famous Flute Player]
• Pt. Manohar Chimote[Famous Harmonium Player]
• Ranganathbua Degalukar [Famous 'Pakhavaz'Player]
• Pt. Udaya Bhavalakar
• Babanrao Navadikar
• Jagadish Khebudakar
• Jayavant Kulakarni
• Pt. Balakrushnabua Wadikar [Famous Classical Singer]
• Pt. Vasantrao Kulakarni
• Pt. Narayanbua Vyas
• Pt. Malharrao Kulakarni Famouos Flute Player
• Rupak kulakarni [Famous Flute Player]
• Gundabua Ingale Famous Classical Singer
• Keshavbua Ingale [Famous Classical Singer]
• Milind Ingale [Famous Singer]
• Pt.Ajay Pohankar [Famous Classical Singer]
• Abhijit Pohanakar [Famous Classical Singer]
• Shrinivas Khale [Famous Music Directer]
• Pt. Ramesh Kanole [Famous Classical Singer from Nanded]
• Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar [Ankalikar -Deshastha]

Law & Justice

• Ramshastri Prabhune famous Justice of Peshwai
• Gopalrao Ekabote First Chief Justice Of Andhra Highcourt
• Prahlad Balacharya Gajendragadkar Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India
• Y.V.Chandrachud Chief Justice, Supreme Court Of India
• V.D.Tulajapurkar Justice, Supreme Court Of India
• Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari
• Justice B. N. Deshmukh Chief Justice, Bombay High Court
• Shri Narayana Rao Melgiri, distinguished lawyer of Northern Karnataka
• Narendra Chapalgaokar
• Abhay Thipse (Special Judge, MCOC Court)
• Ramesh Parkhe - leading consumer education and protection activist and founder of 'Grahak Hit Kendra'

Government Officers

• C.R. Krishnaswami Rao Saheb Cabinet Secretary, Government of India 1980-1985. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, 2006.
• N. Vittal Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Government of India
• Avinash Dharmadhikari
• Sadashivrao Tinaikar [Former Municipal Commissioner,Mumbai]
• Bhalachandra Deshmukha [Former Municipal Commissioner,Mumbai]
• Arvind Inamdar- Former DGP, Maharashtra State
• Bhujangrao Kulkarni Former Secretary Irrigation, V C of Marathwada University, former member of vaidhanik vikas mandal.
• Hanumantrao Kulkarni Former Divisional Commissioner Amaravati Division.
• Dr. J. Gururaja Former Senior Interregional Advisor, United Nations; Former Advisor MNES, Govt of India

Cinema and theatre

• Makrand Anaspure [Famous Marathi Comedy Actor]
• Vishnu Hari Aundhakar [famous writer]
• Vishnupant Pagnis [famous actor]
• Gajananrao Jahagirdar [famous director]
• Datta Dharmadhikari [famous director]
• Raja Gosavi Prominent Marathi Movie Actor/Comedian
• Sulabha Deshpande
• Aravinda Deshpande [famous director & founder of Aavishkar]
• A.N.Bhalerao [founder of 'Sahitya Sangha Mandir',Mumbai]
• Avinash Kharshikar
• Savita Prabhune
• Sonali Kulkarni
• Atul Kulkarni
• Sandip Kulkarni
• Chandrakant Kulkarni
• Purushottam Darvhekar [famous writer & director]
• Mrinal Dev-Kulkarni
• Makarand Deshpande
• Samir Dharmadhikari
• Ashutosh Gowariker

Artist

• Bhaskar Kulkarni
• Subhash Avachat
• Shrikant Bahulakar
• Shankar Palashikar
• Sameer Nerlekar

Medicine

• Dr.Bhalachandra Nilakantha Purandare[famous Gynaecologist]
• Vasudevshastri Einapure [famous Aaurvedic vaidya]
• Dr. Nitu Mandake [famous cardiologist]
• Dr. Sukhatme [International Nutrition & Biometry Researcher]
• Dr. Shrinivas Kshirasagar [Famous Veterinarian, Former Dean Of Bombay Veterinari College]
• Dr. Nitin Bhagali
• Dr. Rameshchandra Junnarkar [Former dean Of B.J Medical College,Pune]

Kirtankar

• Anyabua Badodekar
• Nanabua Badodekar
• Govindabua Takalikar
• Muralidharbua Nijampurkar
• Laxumanbua Nijampurkar
• Govindbua Aaphale
• Charudattabua Aaphale
• V.N.Utpat
• Deenanathaji Gandhe
• Naraharashastri kharshikar
• Dhundamaharaj Degalurkar[famous Warkari kirtankar

Women Pilots

• Capt Saudamini Deshmukh
• Shweta Singh-Mahajan

Police Officers

• Meera Chaddha-Borwankar

Web Security

• Harshad Joshi, the creator of Agneya Honeypot System, a radically new software design approach in Computer Security and leading expert in online privacy and prevention of exploits.

References

• Frykenberg, Robert Eric (February, 1956). "Elite groups in a South Indian district: 1788-1858". The Journal of Asian Studies. 24: 261–281. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
• Umashankar, Rachana Rao (2004). "Mythical histories and visible realities" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Harshad Joshi The first tones of Freedom by a Deshastha Yajurvedi Brahmin or Agni Hymn by Harshad Joshi
• Vikram Pandit, Former headhonco Morgan Stanley, now has his own firm on WallStreet.
• The secret vedic mantras and their effect on human body and soul