Halwai

Halwai is an Indian caste whose traditional occupation was confectionery and sweet-making. The name is derived the word Halwa.

Halwai
Regions with significant populations
•  India *  Pakistan
Languages
• Hindi • Awadhi • Bhojpuri . Angika • Marwari Punjabi
Religion
• Hinduism, Jainism
Related ethnic groups
• Muslim Halwai • Bania • Vaishya

Baba Ganinath Govindji is the kul Guru (school) of Halwai caste.[1]

Origins

In some parts of Uttar Pradesh, some believe that they have descended from a man by the name 'Bhalandan.' This Bhalandan came into being due to the will of the Hindu god Brahma. This individual married a woman named Marutwati. Their son was an individual who was named Vatsa Priti. One of the latter's descendants, an individual called Modan, took to making sweetmeats.[2]

Some suggest they came from north-west region of India and get settled in gangatic plains.

The community set up its own association, the Kanyakubja Vaishya Halwai Mahasabha, which was established in Varanasi in the early part of the 1900s.[3]

Culture and subdivisions

Halwai worships Baba Ganinath Govindji as their kul guru in the months of September. They are subdivided into many clans like Madhesiya, kannaujiya, Haldi etc.

They are hindus.

See also

References
  1. "Ritual as Language: The Case of South Indian Food Offerings". Gabriella Eichinger, Ferro-Luzzi. Current Anthropology, Vol. 18, No. 3 (Sep., 1977), pp. 507-514.
  2. People of India: Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII, Part 2. edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 597. ISBN 9788173041143.
  3. People of India: Uttar Pradesh, Volume XLII. edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 601.
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