Kudal Deshastha Adya Gaud Brahman
Kudaldeshkar Brahmans follow Shankaracharya’s Advait school of philosophy, and have their own three centuries old Math in Dabholi village in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The first pontiff of the Shreemat Purnanand Swamiji[2] was initiated into Sanyasa by Vishwananda Swamiji. The present 20th pontiff of the Math is Pradyumnanand Swamiji. Adya Gaud Brahmans are called Kudal Deshastha.
One of the five prominent Gaud Brahman races, Adya Gaud Brahmins from Northern part of India immigrated to mid Konkan coastal area of Kudal due to invasion of Mohammedans. These Adya Gaud Brahmans ruled Kudal region over 700 years from the 11th century to the end of 17th century. They had built up several temples in Kudal Prant in about 18 villages and installed the dieties there according to the Gothras. Their Own Shankaracharyanvayi “Guru Peetha” came into existence at Sonavade at the end of 13th century. Later they established Chinder & Golwan Mutt . Now the Dabholi Mutt is the only MUTT functioning since 1745.
Adya Gaud Brahmans are called Kudal Deshastha Adya Gaud Brahmans or Kudal Deshkars in Short. Later in 1697 the rule of Prabhu Desai, a Kudal Deshkar came to an end and a Marata Khem Sawant who was once an officer under Prabhu Desai, revolted against the ruler and ultimately he usurped the throne. Then the ruler Sawant took revenge on Kudaldeshkars and imposed “Brahman Dand”. Kudaldeshkars could not tolerate this harassment and immigrated to Thane, Belgaum, Mumbai, Kolhapur and Karnataka.
Kudaldeshkars in Karnataka
It is opined that the migration of Kudaldeshkars to Karnataka must have taken place about 250 years ago. There is no proper record, mainly they settled in villages of undivided Dakshina Kannada District, a coastal belt. Some people from Dakshina Kannada Districts (Formerly undivided Dakshina Kannada District) have moved to cities like Bangalore, Mumbai etc. for seeking employment and settled there. The approximate residences in Karnataka 1800.
The Total population of Kudaldeshkars in Karnataka is about 8 to 9 thousand. In Bangalore District, 500 Kudaldeshkars preserved their language, tradition and customs as they had in Maharashtra. Kudali – Konkani is their home language and Tulu & Kannada are mutual dealing languages. They remember their Goatras, Kuladevathas and Guru Peetha Dabholi Mutt. Shrimad Vimalananda Swamiji of Dabholi Mutt visited Dakshina Kannada in 1912 and instigated Veda Pathshala in Kashekodi Temple. Later Shrimad Brahmananda Swamy in 1964 and Shrimad Ramananda Swamy visited several times this area and blessed the devotees. The Present Swamiji of the Mutt Srimad Pradyumnananda Swamy Maharaj visited Udupi.