Havyaka Brahmin
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Indian state of Karnataka | |
| Languages | |
| Havyaka Kannada, a dialect of Kannada | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism |
Havyaka Brahmins (also referred to as Haveeka, Haiga and Haveega) are the Hindu Pancha Dravida Vedic Brahmins from the Indian state of Karnataka. Havyakas profess the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankaracharya.
The word Havyaka is derived from the words Haveega or Haveeka which is various interpreted as one who is from ahichchatra or as the one who performs Havana and Homa. These are known as Havya and the person who performs them is known as Havyaka. The traditional vocation of Havyaka Brahmins was to perform the rituals of Homa-Havana and therefore they came to be known by the name of their profession.
Other theories have been proposed as well. In ancient times the region of today's Uttara Kannada between Konkan in the north & Tuluva in the south was known by the name of Haiva. This could be the possible source of the term 'Haiga' as Havyakas are also referred to. In fact, the name "Haiga" persists in Havyaka lexicon. The word Havyaka might also be derived from the place named Haigunda.
Most of the Havyakas of today follow either Ramachandrapura Matha (presently headed by Shri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji) or Swarnavalli Matha (presently headed by Shree Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji) and are guided by the advaita philosophy of Shankaracharya. Till recently Havyakas were primarily engaged in agriculture especially growing betel nut, paddy, banana, coconut etc., while some practiced vedic professions like priests. A few decades back they also started entering into other vocations like business, education, employment etc. During Indian freedom struggle, Havyaka community played a prominent part. Men and women took leading role in Salt March and No-Tax Campaign. Dodmane Hegdes of Siddapur had an important role in freedom movement at all stages.
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