What is "devrukhe"

In India the Devrukhe Brahmins are one of five sub- castes of Panchadravid Maharashtrian Brahmins. This community is small in numbers compared to other Maharashtrian Brahmins Deshastha Brahmin, Konkanastha Brahmin and Karhade Brahmin.

Tracing the origins of Devrukhe Brahmins, it leads to one of the oldest Marathi speaking Brahmins in Maharashtra - Deshastha Brahmin, residents of Desha i.e. west by the Western Ghats. During the end of 15th century - a period marked by famine and turmoils of Mughal rule, many Brahmin families migrated to the other side of the Western Ghats and settled near Sangameshwar - Devrukh, Ratnagiri. Later they were called as Devrukhe Brahmins. There are two sub-castes of Devrukhe Brahmins - Rigvedi and Yajurvedi with around 114 different surnames and 12 Gotras but most of them are Yajurvedi.

Culturally, Devrukhe Brahmins share same traditions and rituals with Deshastha Brahmins including the Vegetarian food habits which are indistinguishable from that of Deshastha, Karhade or Konkanastha Brahmin.