Kumhar or Kumbhar is a caste or community of India. Kumhar literally means potter in Indian languages. The Kumhar community is found throughout India and is found in all religions. Mythological origin of Kumhars/Prajapatis/Pandit [dubious – discuss] A section of Hindu Kumhars honorifically call themselves Prajapati, claiming descent from the Prajapati (the sons of the Hindu deity Brahma).[1] The Kumhars derive their name from the Sanskrit word Kumbhakar meaning earthen pot maker.[2] In Hindu mythology, the Kumhars are the descendants of Lord Prajapati. Therefore, they are also known as Prajapati. According to a Hindu mythology, the first Kumbh (earthen pot) was a gift from the Gods. When the gods and the demons were churning the ocean for nectar, there was no vessel to collect the ambrosia. Some other Kumhar myths claim this to be their first creation. Another mythological story says that when Lord Shiva was about to marry Parvati, he realised he had forgotten the water pot integral for the ceremony. Therefore, he gave a part of his skin for clay to Prajapati, the god of creativity, to make a pot. And Parvati gave her blood to decorate the pot. That is when the first kumbh[3] (earthen pot) was created and Prajapati became the first Kumhar (potter). Traditional tools of Kumhars CHAKK (चाक): wheel (Manual/Automatic/Semiautomatic) GHIRNIYAN (घिरनीयां): Designing tools SOOT/Brahm SOOTRA (सूत्र): To cut the made pot from the chak THATTHU (थत्थू): External support to the raw material THAPI (थापी): Internal supporting organ MOOLI (मूल़ी): Refining tool for soil (by beating it into small pieces) CHALLAKAD (चलक्कड़): To rotate the wheel using a rod; the rod is called Challakad SANCHA (सांचा): A dye to make Handis AAWA (भट्ठी-आवा): A hearth/kiln for raw material finalizing. Gazoro, in his shop in HoshiarpurPunjab June, 2010 Present circumstances The Kumhars have almost shun their castly business(Soil work) but some have kept it alive. there are Kumhars in the Indian continent that export their items around world.The Kumhar traditional occupation remains pottery, but many are farmers also. The community are Hindus of the Shaivite sect.[4] Kumhar/Kumbhar/Prajapati across World Kumhars of Gujarat and different parts of India [citation needed] There are sub-caste in Gujarati Kumbhar like Prajapati kumbhar, Variya kumbhar, Vataliya kumbhar, Kadiya kumbhar, Sorathiya kumbhar. Besides, there are Rajput Kumhars,Rao Kumhars, Yadav(Ahir) Kumhars,Rana Kumhars,Maratha Kumhars, Roy Kumhars, Kanet(Thakur) Kumhars,Wodeyar(means Lord) Kumhars ,Pal or Paul Kumhars, Gurjar Kumhars, Jaat Kumhars, Santhalian Kumhars,Nair Kumhars also in different parts of India. [1]=== Kumhars of Maharashtra(Maratha Kumbhar) === Maratha(kshatriya) kumbhar is the sub cast of Maratha clan. They are prominently found in western Maharshtra and konkan part of Maharashtra state. In western maharashtra they are situated in districts pune, solapur, satara, sangali, kolhapur, ahamadnagar and In konkan districts mainly raigad, ratnagiri. They are also present in Goa state in significant numbers. They were served for creation of maratha nation in the era of shivaji maharaj. They were given jahangiri (award given by king in the form of Land) for their bravery. After foundation of Maratha state later on their families have started business like bricks industries, making idols, farming and pottery.

• published: 28 Oct 2014
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