Origin and History of VARAHAGIRI

Description:

VARAHAGIRI is a caste of the Hindu religion, belonging to the Brahmin community. The origin of the word Varahagiri is derived from two Sanskrit words - ‘Varaha’ meaning boar and ‘Giri’ meaning hill. The Varahagiris are believed to be the descendants of the sage Varaha. The Varahagiris are mainly found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. They are also found in some parts of Maharashtra and Odisha. The Varahagiris are traditionally engaged in agriculture, but some are also involved in other occupations such as teaching, medicine, engineering, and business. The culture and customs of the Varahagiris are similar to those of other Brahmin communities. They observe all the Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri. Weddings are conducted according to Brahmin customs and traditions. The surnames of the Varahagiris vary from region to region. Some of the common surnames are Bhat, Rao, Iyer, Nambiar, and Nair.