Wikipedia
Watharkar predominantly denotes a Brahmin in the Northern Karnataka and Southern Maharashtra.
Watharkar ( Marathi: वाठारकर/वठारकर) is a rare surname in the states of Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka, India. The surname is derived from "wathar+kar"; "wathar" being a name of village near Satara, Maharashtra; watharkar denotes a family from that place. More than 90% of Watharkars belong to Deshastha Brahmin community. However this surname is also found in Marathas. Very few Protestant Christian families are also having this surname.
Being Brahmins, the traditional occupations of watharkars were as priests of Hindu temples or to conduct religious family ceremonies, village revenue officials, academicians, astrologer, administrators, practicing Ayurvedic medicine. Some are also engaged in farming. Marathi speaking Watharkars can also be found in large numbers outside southern Maharashtra in the former Maratha ruled or Maratha confederacy states/cities of Northern Karnataka namely Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Chikkodi, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Raichur, Gadag etc.The watharkars have a surname 'buwa'.
During British Raj, Brahmins in general, found employment as white collar professions such as office clerks and teachers. In modern times, Deshastha occupations range from being factory workers, clerks to being doctors, lawyers, teachers, administrators, IT professionals and engineers, even small businesses. Brahmin women are also going into higher education and as a result can be found in high ranking professions.
In today's world, this surname can be found not just in other parts of Maharashtra and India, but also all over the world, especially in the US and UK. Watharkars are also found in a metro cities like Mumbai and its central suburbs like Bhandup.
Category:Kannada Brahmins