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In Hindu mythology, the Lunar Dynasty (Somvansh, Chandravansh) is one of the three principal houses of the Kshatriya varna, or warrior–ruling caste. This legendary dynasty was descended from the moon (soma or chandra), while the other principal houses, the Solar Dynasty (Suryavanshi) claims descent from the sun (surya) and the Agnivanshi claim to have been born to the fire-god Agni, with the term vansh referring to descent. Within this family tree sub-branches such as Bharatvansh, Yaduvansh, Puruvansh, Kuruvansh, Pandavansh and others emerged, each named after a prominent progenitor of the line. Throughout history, various South Asian communities have claimed descent from Chandra through these lineages.

The legendary capital of the Lunar Dynasty was Pratisthana, said to be founded by Ila,^[1] or by the first Lunar prince, Pururaves, son of Budha, who was the son of Chandra.^[2]

Legendary origin[link]

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According to the Bhavishya Purana legend, of contested date, the origin of the Lunar Dynasty began with Brahma in the Treta Yuga (second era). Brahma produced Manasputra ("mind born son") Atri, who produced Chandra (the moon god) from his eyes. In the third part of Treta Yuga, Indra sent Chandra, Rohini's husband, to Prithvi (Earth). His capital was Prayag and was a devout worshiper of Vishnu and Shiva. He performed one-hundred Yagyas (oblations) to please the god Mahamaya. He ruled for 18,000 years and then ascended to heaven leaving behind his son Budha.

Yaduvanshi lineage[link]

Asia in 1200 AD, showing the Yadava Dynasty and its neighbors.

Of the many branches of the Chandravansh line, the Yaduvanshi lineage is a major branch. This branch is an offshoot of the Bharatvansh which started with the eldest son of Yayati, Yadu. All his descendants are known as Yadavas of Yaduvansh, meaning descendants of Yadu. Based on the writings of Puranas, the Itihaasa Mahabharata and the Raghuvamsa, Lord Krishna was born into the Yadava branch and is considered an ancestor by the modern Yadav community. During the Mahabharat, Chandravansh was only associated with Yadavas and Shoorsainis. The Rajput clans Bhati, Jadeja, Chandela who built Khajuraho) and Jadaun clans claim that they are Chandravansis.

Several Indian castes such as the Sainis of Punjab^[3] and contiguous regions, the Sainis and the Seuna Yadavs of Devagiri^[4] claim descent from the Hindu God Krishna.

Puruvansha[link]

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Youngest of the four sons of Yayati, Puru started the Puruvansha who were the progenitors of the Kuru and Pandava line of Chandravanshi line of Kshatriyas.

Groups claiming Lunar origin[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

• Ahir
• Banaphar
• Bhati
• Bundela
• Chandel
• Chudasama
• Dhangar
• Haihaya
• Jadaun
• Jadeja
• Jadhav
• Janjua
• Jaswal
• Pal-Pali
• Paravar^[5]
• Saini
• Savji
• Sulehria
• Tomara
• Yadav

References[link]