Konkani Karhade/Karhada/Karada Brahmin

Konkani Karhade/Karhada/Karada Brahmin

Karhaḍe Brahmins are a sub-caste of Konkani Brahmins. The Karhades originally migrated from Karad, Satara district, Maharashtra. They migrated in search of livelihood and undertook to perform priestly services in several villages in different konkan  regions across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa.

The Karhada Brahman take the name from the town of Karad in Satara district, the sacred junction of the Koina and Krishna. They migrated to the region between Malvan and Sangameshwar near the Konkan coast and made it their home land. The Karhade section, though it takes its name from Karad, a place in the Deccan region, they are found chiefly in the Konkan coast. 

Divisions : There are three divisions of Karhade Brahmins - Karhade, Padye and Bhatt Prabhu. Padyes hail from present day state of Goa. Karhades, who had mostly lived in the Desh area considered Padyes to be inferior. "Padhye" was a further division of "Padye" - and were Khots or farmers. Both these subcastes considered the Bhat-Prabhus to be outcastes, although the Bhat Prabhus were also Karhade Brahmins.

Most Karhade Brahmins live in Maharashtra and Karnataka though a significant population exists in the cities of Sagar and Indore in present day state of Madhya Pradesh.Ancestors of these people moved to these places during 18th century during the Maratha empire period. A southern branch of the Karhade Brahmins settled around the Kasargod region of the Malabar coast and they are called the "Karada Brahmins" and share their traditions with Kerala Brahmins and the Brahmins of South Karnataka.

Karhades are followers of Smarta tradition. They are essentially Rigvedi Brahmins and follow the Ashwalayana Sutra.

Karhades used to speak Karhadi konkani dialect till 1950 now they have switched to Marathi in maharastra but in Tulunad region and goa Karhadi Konkani ia still preserves  in their homes.

Padye Brahmin speak Bhati Bhasha konkani dialect and  Bhatt Prabu speak Antruzi konkani dialect.