Niyogis are a sect of Brahmins and are predominantly Teluguspeakers. Theories of origin The ...

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Niyogis are a sect of Brahmins and are predominantly Teluguspeakers.
Theories of origin
The origin of Niyogi community is descending from their Bramhin ancestors originally from Northern as well as
North Western geographical region of present day India. About six thousand (6000) exceptionally intelligent,
extremely capable of administration, management with high degree of skills of warfare were chosen to help
Kshatryias in desperate need in defending the country, in piloting the vimanas. Hence the origin of the word
Aaruvela ( = six thousand; Niyogi = a derivative of word 'Niyogimpabadda' in Telugu which means appointed).
Niyogin in Sanskrit means "employed" or "appointed" and it is quite probable that "Niyogi"s were given this name
because they accept secular employment. In the later centuries they migrated to various parts of the country in
pursuit of better and Green pastures. They belong to the brahma-kshatriya group who took secular duties like the
military and administration.
The Niyogi Brahmins are the only Brahmin Community which is alive in Modern day politics.Famous 6000 Niyogi
Modern Day Politicians are
Tangutoori Prakasham Pantulu (ANDHRA KESARI) First Chief Minister of Andhra State.
P.V.Narasimha Rao (First Prime Minister of INDIA from SOUTH)- is a aruvela niyogi brahmin.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (First President of INDIA from SOUTH).
It is said in Shastras, that one should live near a river, away from relatives but close to place where medical help is
available. Thus, they crossed Vindhyas . As they crossed over Vindhyas they came across perennial River
Godavari few of them followed flow of River Godavari. A few crossed the river and went farther south and came
across another perinial River - Krishna, they followed flow of River Krishna. Some went further down tracing origin
of Krishna River and came across the main tributory "Tungabadra" and some other minor tributoriesof river krishna
and settled down around hundreds of its tributories. Some who went tracing the tributeries of Tunga and Bhadra
went further west and south west, to almost to west coast in Malenadu source of river Kavery. Some groups
followed flow of River Kaveri and went to Tanjavur, Madurai etc in present day Tamil Nadu.
Brahmins are known by their paths of belief, like Smartas, Vaishnavas or Madhvas. Most of Bramhins in Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu belong to the Smarta Brahmin group. (Though in later years population of
Madhvas saw increase in Karnataka where saint 'Madvacharya' spread the message of dwaitha philosophy).
Smarthas follow Smritis and they are all followers of Adi Guru, Adi Sankara Acharya. The Smarta Brahmins follow
Apastamba Smriti or Apastamba Sutra (not Manu Smriti). Apasthamba sutra dates back to pre (~600 BC) and
these Bramhins were the ones who mastered the art of Administration, Medicine and teaching. They
are the earliest Law makers of South India who lived on the banks of the Godavari river. Soon, their works and
regulations like Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya Sutras etc., came into practice and were passed as laws,
especially in the courts of Sri Krishna Deva Raya.
The Smarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh can be grouped into two major divisions formed about a thousand to 700
years ago (most probably during Kakatiya rule), Niyogi and Vaidiki, besides the smaller group of Bhatt (Bhattu,
Bhatteria, Bhatia, Bhattarika are other variants.) This classification is based on their inherent ability and Masterity
in Administration, Spiritual Practices and Cooking respectively.
Traditionally believed to have descended from Lord Parasurama, Niyogi Brahmins are those Brahmins who are into
various secular vocations including military activities and gave up religious vocation, especially the priesthood just
like Bhumihar Brahmins in north India who largely gave up priesthood. There is a lot of brotherhood between Niyogi
Brahmins and Bhumihar Brahmins. The Bhumihar Brahmins, of whom many, though not all, belong to the
Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins. The Bhumihar Brahmins were established when
Parashurama destroyed the Kshatriya race, and he set up in their place the descendants of Brahmins, who, after a
time, having mostly abandoned their priestly functions (although some still perform), took to land-owning. The
Satavahana Vamsam (dynasty) that is said to have given the name "Andhra" to the presnt state was from Niyogi
clan. Traditionally and even today Niyogi Brahmins depend on as well as emphasise and orient
themselves towards modern education. As minor-kings, zamindaars (landlords), ministers in the courts of kings
and as feudal Lords (Palegallu) earned a good name for their administrative abilities and progressive attitude (sarva
dharma samanatha). Many of them were village heads like munsabs, talukdaars, and accountants, Karanams
(Andhra) or Patwaris (Telangana) until recently..
Etymology: According to Jogendranath Bhattacharya, the word Niyogi is derived from Yoga, which means
"religious contemplation" or "meditation", as opposed to Yaga, which means "religious sacrifice". Niyogin in Sanskrit
also means "employed" or "appointed" and it is probable that Niyogis were given this name because they accept
secular employment.
Subdivisions: Over the past millennium the Niyogis have been further divided further into various groups:
Pradhamasakha/Kanveyulu/Yagnavalkyulu (The First Branch) - Aruvela(6000) Niyogi – Nandavarikulu - Golkonda
Vyaparulu - Karanakamma Vyaparulu - Sristikaranalu/Sistukaranalu/Sistakaranalu/Karanalu or Karanam – Pakanati -
Pranganati
The Pradhamasakha group which belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda School. In Maharashtra too, there is a group of
Brahmins called Pradhamasakha. There are Marathas (warrior / land owner community) also known as
Pradhamasakhi. Pradhamasakha Brahmins are also called a Yagnavalkyulu and Kanveyulu.
The Aruvela Niyogis are the largest Niyogi group. Different explanations exist for the coining of the phrase "Aruvela
Niyogilu" or 6000 Niyogis. They, as well as the majority of Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh, belong to the Krishna
Yajurveda School. Some part of Krishna Dist, Guntur Dist and the surrounding areas was called as "AAru vela
naadu".As these people belong to that area, they were called so.
Another belief is that 6000 brahmins once left out some area in and around "vishakhapattanam and the
surrounding Samsthanams".So they were called as Aaruvela niyogulu.
Another theory asserts that 6000 Brahmins left drought- and famine-stricken regions of present-day Maharashtra
and traveled to coastal and riverine regions of Andhra. These Brahmin settlers and their descendants, who adopted
secular vocations, were termed the 6000 (or Aruvela) Niyogi. Many surnames among Maharashtra Brahmins and
Aruvela Niyogis are common (or similar): this fact is considered by many to support for this theory of migration.
According to Narasimha Shastry Nori, 6000 Brahmins were appointed as village heads and accountants and training
imparted to them, way back in 13th or 14th century AD
Pravaras
Every Brahmin family will have Pravara . This means every family linked up with one or two or three origins or
ancestors or Vamsa Parampara. Every brahmin family will have minimum three Rishis . For example ., Angirasa ,
Aayasha, Gargeysa. This is one parampara . These three people are origin for today's generation . Like that there
are very prominent Rishis ( sages) like Kashyapa, Vasista, Koundinyasa, Bhardwaja, Parasara, Gothamasa,
Srivastava, and so on..,. Every family while celebrating either function or sraddha , they should utter three times
this Pravara and start the function or ceremony.
About The Nandavariks
The Nandavariks, were known as such as they were ‘Nandavara Agrahara Graheetas’. They are Rig-vedins and
come under ‘ASVALAYANA SUTRA’ or principle and follow ‘Smartha Sampradaya’ as distinguished from ‘Madhava’ or
‘Vaishnava samparadayas’. ‘ASVALAYANA SUTRA’ is one of the six Sutras followed by Rig Vedins, the others being
APASTABMHA (KRISHNA YAHJUR VEDINS), KATHYAYANA (SUKLA YAJUR VEDINS) DRAKSHAYANA (SAMA VEDINS),
VATSYAYANA (SUKLA YAJUR VEDINS). A liik at the galaxy of the names of the thirteen recipients (MOOLA PARASHAS)
of the grant of Nandavaram will reveal their caliber and mettle.
The list of their names and ‘Gothrams’ is as follows:

‘Avadhanam’ Peddi Bhattlu – Srivatsava Gothram.

‘Tarkasastram’ Mahadeva Bhattlu – Vasishta Gothram.

‘Vaseshikam’ Vishnu Vardhana Bhattlu – Kaushika Viswamitrasa Gothram.

‘Mahabhashyam’ Mahadeva Bhattlu – Athreyasa Gothram.

‘Mantra Sastram’ Kamalanbha Pandithulu – Harithasa Gothram.

‘Puranam’ Sridhara Dikshitlu – Bharadhwajasa Gothram.

‘Shadangala’ Narayana Dikshitulu – Agastyasa Gothram.

‘Prabhakara’ Naga Vadhyulu – Kashyapasa Gothram.

‘Kramadhati’ Janardana Somayajulu – Kutsasa Gothram.

‘Dasagrandhala’ Viswanadhacharyulu – Gautamasa Gothram.

‘Surya Siddhantham’ Narayana Somayajulu – Mounabhargava Gothram.

‘Pradyotha’ Narasimha Somayajulu – Modgalyasa Gothram.

‘Kanadam’ Vishnu Vardhana Bhattlu – Veetha Havyasa Gothram
A close study of the names of the recipients will reveal that they were men of high caliber and attainments. They
appear to have been authorities in their own fields and faculties with which their very names are associated,
Folloing the same order of names of the recipients, ‘Tarkasastram’ Mahadeva Bhattlu appears to have been an
authority on Logic. ‘Vaiseshikam’, the later branch of Logic which is said to haven the field of Vishnuvaardhana
Bhattlu. ‘Mahabhashyam’ Maahadeva Bhattlu was an authority in Vedic Grammar. Mantrasastram’ Kamalanabha
Pandithulu, as the name implies, appears to have been an authority on the Science of Mantras (Hymns). Likewise,
‘puranam’ Sridhara Dikshitulu was an authority on Epics, like the ‘Ramayana’ and the ‘Mahabharata’, Shadangala’
Narayana Dikshitulu was an authority on the six systems of Indian Philosophy. ‘Prabhakara’ Naga Vadhyulu was an
authority on Poorva Mimamsa-Philosophy of rituals and Sacrifices. ‘Kramadhati’ Janardhana Somayajulu was a
disciplinarian in the reaction of the Vedas. As an example, the Character role of ‘Shankara Sastry’ in that exquisite
Telugu movie of recent times ‘Shankarabharanamu’ superbly enacted by Sri Somayajulu (!) may perhaps be
considered to be that of a ‘Kramadhati’ in the rendering of Carnatic music. ‘Dasagrandhala’ Viswanathadwarya was
an authority on the ten main Upanishads. ‘Pradyotha’ Nursimha Somayajulu was similarly an authority on the
observance and performance of rituals. ‘Kanadam’ Vishnuvardhana Bhattlu was an authority of the earlier branch of
Logic known as ‘Vaiseshikam’. As one of the receipents was known as ‘Vaiseshikam’ Vishnu Vardhana Bhattlu (items
3 in the list above) and as ‘Vaiseshikam’ (known to be the Atomic system of the philosophy) is believed to have
emerged around the 16th Century, there is perhaps scope for further careful study and deliberation to deliberation
to determine the period of reign of Nandana and the year of grant of ‘Anandavarapuram’ to the Nandavariks. The
team of thirteen recipients as seen above is galaxy of scholars, Logicians, Grammarians, writers and Scientists-a
glorious teem indeed! No wonder the Deity ‘Sri Chodeshwari’ had conscended from Banares to Nandavaram in
response to their prayer as a witness as believed by the devotees, in consideration of their extraordinary prowess.
The suffixes to the names of the ‘Moola Purushas’ are given as ‘Bhattlu’, ‘Pandithulu’, Dikshitulu’, Vadhyulu’,
‘Somayajulu’, and Adhvaryul’, and these have to be considered carefully. These suffixes con note that the ‘Moola
Purushas’ were all essently ‘Vadikis’. A ‘Vaidiki’ is commonly known to be one who has studied the Vedas and the
Nandavarik Brahmins must have also, as other Brahmins, taken to the study of the Vedas and the Sastras in olden
times. The five hundred families of Nandavariks are said to be the descendants of the thirteen “Moola Purushas” of
the thirteen Gothrams. By the efflux of time and their eventual migration to the different parts of the country, the
occupations they held, their employment in the positions other than those pertaining to the study or propagation of
the Vedas and the Sastras, they came to be gradually denominated as ‘Neogis’ as distinguished from ‘Vaidikis’. A
‘Neogi’ is one who is engaged for a post or a situation or entrusted with a job on wages. The Nandavarik Brahmins,
before their migration, supposedly from ‘Kashi’ according to the legend are believed to have been known as
‘Badaganadu’ Kannadia Brahmins’ according to ‘Kamalapuri’, Venkata Subba Sarma, as seen from the book ‘Sri
Chowdeswari valisamu, he published as long as 1891 A.D. One might agree with this view to the extent that
‘Badagandu’ is said to mean ‘Northern Region’ as the Nandavarik Brahmins are stated to have migrated from
‘Kashi’ or Benares, which is located in the North, ‘Kamalapuri’ Venkata Subba Sarma’s, view that the Nandavariks
were Badaganadu Kannadigas’, however, is not obviously quite acceptable and must be considered to have been
his personal view as he happened to live in Bellary amidst Kannadigas and their influence and environment. It is not
in ended to raise any controversy in this matter, but it is mentioned only to serve as a study of academic interest
and enlightenment to the community.
bellamkonda (pamidipadu agraharam)
Surnames (Family Names) of Niyogi Brahmins
Niyogi Brahmins: Adaalatu – Adukuri – Adury – Ainaparti – Ainamprolu – Akhandam – Akkiraju – Alapattu – Aleti –
Alladi – Ambadasu – Ambarukhana – Ammiraju - Amruthavakkula – Amruthavaakkula – Anantavarapu – Andukuru –
Annapragada – Anipeddi – Anisingaraju – Annavarpu – Anumarlapudi – Attota – Ayinambrolu – Ayinpura – Ayyagari –
Bairavarasu - Batthulapalli (It's the name of a village in Ananthapur district. Other derivatives are Battula or
Batthula) – Balijepalli – Basavaraju – Bendapudi – Bendepudi - Bethapudi (Prathamasakha - Kashyapasa Gotram) –
Beecharaju – Bhavaraju - Bhatlapenamarthi (It's the name of a village in Krishna Dt) – Birudavolu – Bodapati –
Boddapati – Bommaraju – Bolla – Bollapragada – Bodicherla – Bharatam – Bhimavarapu – Budamagunta - Budharaju
(Other derivatives are Buddharaju) – Brahmandam - Chaganty (Other derivatives are Chaganti) – Challa – Chakilam
– Chandraraju – Chennuri – Cheruku – Cherukumudi – Chelpati - Chetlapalli (Bhardwajasa gotram-originally belongs
to West Godavari Districts-in Pradhama sakha, three groups (i) Penugonda chetlapalli, (ii) errampeta chetlapalli
(iii)kakileru chetlapalli)

Chillara

Chitrapu

Chevendra

Chittem

Chodavarapu

Chunduru

Daliparthi

Damaraju

Devambotla

Dubagunta

Durga

Dulla

Durgaraju

Damerla

Davuluri

Desaraju

Devalraju

Devarabotla

Devarabotla

Dongra

Dontaraju

Dosapati

Damaraju

Dhurjati

Edury (SANDILYASA GOTHRAM)

Edlapalli

Eedupalli

Errapatruni

Errapragada (other derivatives are Errapa or Erraprolu)

Errum

Gandavarapu

Gangaravula

Gampa

Gatraju

Gaddapalli

Gadidasu

Ganapatiraju

Ganugapati

Gajulapalli

Gadicharla

Ghali

Ghantasala

Godavari

Gogulapati

Gorijavolu

Gudipaty

Guduru

Gundlapalli

Gundumalla

Guntupalli

Ikkurthy

Ikkurty

Ikkurthi

Illandula

Illendula

Illindala

Indurthi

Inapurapu (or Ayenapurapu)

Inumella

Jeedigunta

Josyula

Kagupati

Kagollu
KALIPATNAPU

Kanchikacharala

Kanchugantala

Kathari

Kanakabhattula

Kandhibanda

Kankipati

Kavulu

Kavuru (BHARDWAJASA GOTRHAM)

Kavuluri

Kakarlapudi

Kakarlamudi

Kamaraju

Kambhammettu (BHARDWAJASA GOTRHAM)

Kanukollu

KAPAVARAPU (HARITHASA GOTHRAM)

KAPILA

Kara (Srivatsasa Gothram)

Karinapati

Karlapudi

Karumanchi

Kasarabada

Kesharaju

Kasiraju

Kolavennu (Prathamasakha - Kashyapasa Gotram)

Kolipaka (Kasyapasa gothram)

Kolipaka (BHARADWAJASA GOTRHAM)

Kona

Konda

Koochi

Kotamraju

Koduri

Komaravolu

Kondapalli

Korlimarla

Kothapalli

Kovuru

Kuppila

Kunchanapalli ( Guntur Distt)

Khandaladinne

Lakinepalli

Lakkaraju

LIngala

Lingamgunta

Maddali

Malyala

Mandapaka

Madiraju

Mallapragada

Mallavarapu

Manchiraju

Mannava

Manugarra

Marella

Matukumalli

Mattigunta

Mocherla

Modukuru

Moganti

Morparthi

Mukkamala

Muktevi

Munimanikyam

Mukkapati
* Mullapudi

Mylavarapu

Naraparaju

Nagulapalli

Nadimpalli

NandiRaju

Nedunuri

Neelamraju

Nibhanupudi

Nidadavolu

Nissankala

Oddiraju

Pamidimukkala

Pamidighamtam

Pandrapragada

Pindiproli/Pindiprolu

Palepu

Paluri

Pamarthy (ATREYASA GOTHRAM)

Parimi

Parupudi

Patibanda

Penamakuri/Penamakuru

Poosapati (Ministers of Vijayanagara Asthanam)

Potula

Poruri

Pulapaka

Pusuluri

Rajavolu

Rayaprolu

Regadamilli

Revuri (BHARDWAJASA GOTHRAM)

Rayabharam (Srivatsava Gothram)

Rayavarapu

Rupanagunta

Rudravarapu

Ryali (BHARDWAJASA GOTRHAM)

Salapaka

Srikaram

Sandepudi

Sampatam

Sambaraju

Sambatur

Sattenapalli

Satram

Sankuratripati (Srivatsasa Gothram)

Sannikandlapadu

Samudram

Saripalli

Savidi

Seetamraju

Singaraju

Somaasi

Somaraju

Sthaanam

Tadepalli

Tammera

Thondapi

Toleti

Torthi

Tumu (Bhadrachalam)

Tuttagunta

Turlapati

Twarakavi

Udayagiri

Ullaganti

Undavalli

Unnava

Uppala

Urakaranam

Uta

Uttaralingamakuntla

Vaddadi

Vaddiraju

Vadduri

Vadlamudi

Vaduri

Vahi

Vallambhatla

Valluri

Vanam

Vangipurapu

Vankamamidi

Vankeswarapu

Velavarthipati

Venneti

Varagani

Varahagiri

Vareswaram

Varkhola

Vasa

Vasiraju

Vegaraju

Veladi

Velagapudi

Vepachedu

Vinnakota

Vissa

Vissamraju,

Yedida

Yellapragada

Yendluri