What is the difference between gotra and pravara?

Pravara is the number of the most excellent rishis who belonged to that that particular gotra to which the wearer of sacred thread belongs. Gotra is the name of the founding father (and in a few exceptional cases, founding mother).

What is Rishi gotra?

The word “gotra” means “lineage” in the Sanskrit language. Among those of the Brahmin caste, gotras are reckoned patrilineally. Each gotra takes the name of a famous Rishi or sage who was the patrilineal forebearer of that clan.

What does pravara mean?

In Hindu culture, a Pravara (Sanskrit for “most excellent”) is a system of identity, particularly a family line. Pravaras is a particular Brahmin’s descent from a rishi (sage) who belonged to their gotra (clan).

Is Tiwari a gotra?

In Bihar, many people holding the titles Chaudhary, Vishwakarma, Sharma, Thakur, Tiwari, and Jha surnames belong to this Gotra. In Uttar Pradesh, the Tiwari/Tripathi, Vishwakarma, Sharma, Mishra, Chaurasia/Chourasia, Joshi, Trivedi, Shukla, Pandey surnames along the Sarayu river belong to this Gotra.

What is the significance of the Pravara?

The pravara identifies the association of a person with two, three (or sometimes five) of the above-mentioned rishis. It also signifies the Sutras contributed to different Vedas by those rishis .

What is the difference between gotras and pravaras?

While the gotras were classified initially according to seven rishis, the pravaras were classified under the names of the following seven rishis: Agastya , Angirasa, Atri, Bhrigu (Bhargava), Kashyap, Vashista, and Vishvamitra .

What is the gotra of Viswamitra?

Viswamitra was a Kshatriya and his original name was Kausika. Later he became a Brahmin after he reealized Brahma Gnana. Then he was called a Barhmin and his Gotra was changed from Kausika to Viswamitra. The List of Brahmin Gotras, Saroha Village Luhara Kapisa: Angirasa,Bharadwaja,Matavacha,Bharhaspatya,Vaandana – it is pancha pravar

What is pravar in Hinduism?

Another concept is that of Pravara of Rishis who were a few of the most learned and capable sages belonging to that gotra. Each Brahmin was thus known by his gotra, pravar, sutra and shakha. There are exceptions to the rule too.