Pathare Prabhu

Pathare Prabhu middleclass gentleman of nineteenth century.

Pathare Prabhu middleclass housewife of nineteenth century.

Pathare Prabhu is one of the Hindu communities in the city of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay).

History

They claim descent from Ashwapati (circa 700 BCE), who was a monarch of Nepal, and from the Solar dynasty of Ram.

A legend goes that the rishi Bhrigu cursed Ashwapati because he did not take cognisance of the rishi during a religious ceremony. The curse meant that descendants of Ashwapati were to lose their kingship and would be reduced to petty clerks in the Kaliyug. Bhrigu condemned Ashwapati's descendants to be called Pattan Prabhu in place of Pathare Prabhu.

External links

• The Pathare Prabhu Community Website
• An interesting description of pathare prabhu culture as experienced by Helena Blavatsky in the 18th century.