The Rajapur Saraswat is a Hindu community in Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. They are also known as Rajpuri or Rajapur[1][2]. The come under the Other Backward Class(OBC) category in Kerala [3] and Karnataka[4].
History
editThe Rajapura Saraswat claim to have migrated to Kerala from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra after being subjected to atrocities under Portuguese rule. Their typical last name is Nayak.[1]
Culture
editSome of them eat goat, fowl and fish but most are vegetarian and mainly eat rice. Alcohol consumption is common among men. According to N.K.Singh, one section of them, called the Kudlukaras follow customs similar to Brahmins. They worship their ancestors and do not consume non-vegetarian food on the day of worship.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Nagendra Kr Singh, ed. (2006). Global Encyclopaedia of the South Indian Dalit's Ethnography, Volume 1. Global Vision Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8220-167-5.
- ^ K. S. Singh (1998). Indias Communities. oxford university press. p. 2925.
In Kerala, the Rajapuri / Rajapura Saraswat are called Rajapura Saraswat in the contiguous area of Dakshin Kannad
- ^ https://www.ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/cl/kerala.pdf
- ^ https://www.ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/cl/karnataka.pdf