Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins

Summary

Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins are a community of Smarta Brahmins originating in the Hoysala Empire.[1][2] The empire ruled most of what is now Karnataka between the 10th and the 14th centuries.[2]

Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins
Hoysala Empire emblem at Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
Regions with significant populations
Karnataka
Languages
Kannada, Sanskrit
Religion
Hinduism

Diet edit

The community has traditionally followed a strict vegetarian sattvic diet consisting of seasonal fruits and vegetables (except onions and garlic), whole grains, dairy, nuts, seeds, and oil. A typical breakfast item is uppittu (a thick semolina porridge with seasonings and vegetables). A typical dinner may include saaru (a thin soup made with lentils, tamarind, tomatoes, and spices) with rice, vegetable palya, and curd rice.[2]

Other Hoysala Karnataka dishes include:[3]

  • Badanekayi-aloogedde gojju, a curry[4] made with eggplant and potatoes
  • Bili holige, similar to the rice flatbread akki rotti but softer and suppler
  • Gulpavate, a sweet made with dried fruit, ghee, jaggery, and toasted wheat flour
  • Mysuru kootu, a Karnataka-style lentil and vegetable stew
  • Nucchina unde, quenelle-shaped lentil dumplings

Titles and surnames edit

Common titles of community members include Bhat and Jois, which are also used as surnames. Rao is another common surname.[5]

Associations edit

The Hoysala Karnataka Sangha formed in 1908 but eventually disbanded.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ K. S. Singh. People of India: (3 pts.). Karnataka. p. 1334.
  2. ^ a b c Chitra Agrawal. Vibrant India: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn [A Cookbook]. pp. 6–8.
  3. ^ "Cooking Hoysala Karnataka Food with Three Sisters". 15 April 2020.
  4. ^ The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine. p. 193.
  5. ^ K. S. Singh. Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. p. 1784.
  6. ^ Ramesh Bairy. Being Brahmin, Being Modern: Exploring the Lives of Caste Today. pp. 179–180.