Origin of "Dhangar"

The Dhangar (Sanskrit / Devanāgarī: धनगर ) caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The literal translation of the name Dhangar is "Wealthy".[1] The Dhangars of the Northern or Southern India are reasonably considered to belong to the same race.[2] The word Dhangar is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Dhenu' or Cow. They are called by different synonyms like Dhangar, Dhangad and Dhanpal. Dhang also means a hill or a mountain. During the times of hardship some Kshatriyas went to the mountains and hills with their sheep and cows and stayed in the forests: these people are called Dhangars

The “Ain-i-Akbari” describes them as being a proud, refractory and domineering race of Rajputs, living in the Basim Sircar and, with numerous armed forces, occupying the forts and controlling the surrounding districts.[2][5][6] Their original home is said to be Gokul Vrindavan near Mathura. From Gokul they are said to be moved to Mewar and from Mewar to have spread into Gujarat and Maharashtra.


                                  

The KshatriyaDhangarcaste is primarily located in the Indian state of
Maharashtra. Most Dhangars are shepherds. The literal translation of

the name Dhangar is "Who is having lots of wealth". Dhangars are said
to be descendents ofYadava s. The main Dhangar subcastes in
Maharashtra areAhir,Hatkar, Khutekar,Sengar

/Shegar, Sangar,
Bande, Konkani, Khatik, Zende, Dange, Zade, Jade(derived from yadu
see:Yadav), Dhanawar,Ku r u b a, Lad Mendhe, Pal, Gadari, Kurbar,
Khatik, Gadhariya, Metkari, Gadge, Gawali, Kambar, Kshitri, Khillari,
Bhillari, Kuktekar, Mhaskar, Shirotya and Utekar.
The Dhangar community is one of the oldest existing communities of
India, tracing its history back to Mahabharata times. They have sprung
several ruling dynasties, most recently theHolkars ofIndo re.
Prominent Dhangars have been Hakkaraya andBukkaraya, founders of
Vijayanagara Empire, Hoysalas, Pallavas, Rashtrakutas, Rathore,
Mauryas, Holkars, Kadambs, Sids, Sangolli Rayanna, Yadava Dynasty
etc. Great poets likeKalidasa,Kanakadas a are Dhangars.
The famousVittal temple atPandharpur was built by Vishnu Wardhan

who was a Dhangar from theHoysala Dynasty.
The famous Meenakshi temple atMadurai was built by thePallava s.
Traditionally being warriors, shepherds and farmers,Dhangars were
late to take up modern day education

Dhangari Gaja
This is a dance form performed by Dhangars of Sholapur district of
Maharashtra. Their poetry is mainly inspired by the evergreen trees all

around. The poetry is in a form called 'Ovi' which is made up of
couplets. These poems also contain tales of the birth of their God
"Biruba" orBirappa, in simple and basic lines. The group of dancers
surround the drum players and move at the rhythm.
Jejuri
Jejuri is one of the famous temples in Maharashtra. The God of Jejuri -
Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand - is popular amongst the Dhangars

Dhangars are known by different names in different regions of the
country.
•Andar
•Ahiyaru
•Bharavadaru
•DoddiGowda
•Gaddi
•Gadri
•Gollavadu
•Gowda
•Halumatha
•Heggades
•Idyar
•Kuruba
•Kuruba Gowda
•KurumbaGoundar
•Kurumbar
•Kalavar
•Kuruma
•Kurumavaaru
•Kurkhi
•Kurupu
•Naikers
•Palaru
•Paalakyatriya
•Poduvar
•Yadavalu.
Clans
Dhangars areKshatriyas. Kshatriyas have three Castes. TheRajputs,
Marathas and Dhangars. Rajputs mainly had their Kingdoms in North
India, the Marathas in Maharashtra and Dhangars in Karnataka. Rajputs
have 36 Clans, Marathas have 96 Clans and Dhangars have 32 Clans. A
caste is generally divided into exogamous groups based on the same
gotras (गोत), and defined by the mutual interaction among its members.
The two most common of these relationships are:
•"Roti" (bread): dining together.
•"Beti" (daughter): intermarrying together.
Originally these castes were one and had mutual interactions of "Roti",
"Beti" amongst them.