Bhanushali

Bhanushali
Languages	Gujarati, Kutchhi, Hindi
Populated states	Gujarat, Maharashtra
Subdivisions	Joisar, Gajra(jerani), Dama, Vador, Nanda, Katarmal, Nanda, Gori, Bhadra, Hurabada, Joisher, Mithiya, Mange, Kanakhara, Fuliya, Visariya, Nakhua, Harvara, Chandra, Dhhabha, Chunada, Mengar, Khichda, Vador, Maajania, Mav, Motani, Ratda, Dama, Kataria, Kapadiya, Raner, Meethiya, Khaniya, Mange

Bhanushali (Gujarati : ભાનુશાલી) / Bhānshali / Bhansali (Gujarati : ભણશાળી) is a Hindu community, origin and mainly belonging to State of Gujarat in India.

The Bhanushali farmers claim descent from Chaulukyas, and often have Rajput surnames. Jyotindra Jain theorized that the Bhanushalis migrated to Gujarat from Sindh, based on their worship of Hinglaj Mata. He also believed that the Lohanas and Bhansalis shared a common home in Sindh before their migration to Gujarat.

Bhanushalis are divided into two sub groups according to their region of living, that is :- kutchhi Bhanushali Community ( those living or having ancestry in Kutch region ) and Halai Bhanushali Community those living or having ancestry in Halar (Jamnagar) region.

Bhanushalis worship different kuldevis as per their clan names / surnames. and follow Hindu customs and beliefs and worship God like Maa Hinglaj, Asapura Mataji, Shiva, Durga and Vishnu. Further, they also worship Veer Dada Jashraj and claim, like Lohanas, that he belonged to their community. They are largely Vaishnava community. and are considered as a trading or vaishya community in Gujarat. Bhanushalis chiefly worship Hinglaj, whose main temple is in Baluchistan, Sind, their ancestral home.

Among their community Sant Odhavramji of Vandhay was prominent figure of Kutchi people and did much work for up-liftment and education of Bhanushali community in decades of 1930-1950s.

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