Bhattarai

Bhattarai
Language(s)	Nepali, Doteli
Origin
Language(s)	Khas
Word/Name	Nepal
Meaning	Unknown
Other names
Variant(s)	Bhattrai, Bhattaraya
Derivative(s)	Sindhuley Bhattarai, Saalukhey Bhattarai, Gamlangey Bhattarai, Chisungkhey Bhattarai
See also	Pokharel, Poudel, Khanal, Bhandari

Bhattarai (Nepali:भट्टराई) is a surname used by certain subgroup belonging to the Brahmin caste and natives of Nepal, Northeast India, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Bhattarai were the advisor and rajpurohit of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. They advised king to unite various small kingdom to block British expansion. They are believed to be the direct descendant of Rishi Vasisht, one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages) in the seventh (i.e. the present) Manvantara (the age of a Manu).

Bhattarai is a sub caste referred to as thar in the Nepalese community. The Bhattarai has fourfold divisions: Sindhuley (si:n-δu:-le), Saalukhey (sa:-lu:-khe), Gamnangey (ga:m-na:-ηge) and Chiisungkhey (t∫i:-su:ηg-khe).

They come from the region of Gamnangtar according to their oral traditions. They worship a local Masto Deity. They are called "Mundali Masta" coming from Mundal.

Bhattarai people are the decedents of Khas people of the ancient Khas kingdom of the western Nepal and follow Hinduism. Under the caste system of the Khas people, e.g. Bahun, Chettri, Bhakuni, Thakuri, etc., Bhattarai people fall under the Bahun category.

Bhattarai people follow the traditional Hindu-Nepali Brahaminic culture. Although now the Bhattarai population is widely distributed across Nepal as well as in neighboring India, they have their origin in the Gandaki basin of central-hilly region of Nepal that include districts like Gorkha and Syangja.

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