CHITPAVANS....
 
 

Although today, Chitpavan or Kokanastha Brahmin community members are found all over the world, they number slightly over half million and less than 10 to 15 thousand outside India, or less than 1/1000 % of India's total population. Less than 300 years ago this community was strictly isolated in a small area around Chiplun in Konkan in Maharashtra. Because of this genetic isolation members of this community share several similar characteristics or a "genetic bond." This exhaustive work which still reads like a story tries to explain their genetic origin, migration, culture, religion, faith, belief, achievements, and history on a scientific basis. Although Chitpavan culture is deeply embedded in Maharashtrian culture, they have certain distinct "suanskars." This website is not about the caste system, eugenics, wrong concepts of racial purity and superiority, or "race." If you are looking for that type of material turn around now! In fact subsequent pages show that there is no such thing as a race in the world. This site is not even of genetics but of the culture. This book is about "Chitpavanism," the term first coined by Chitpavan researcher from US, Maureen Patterson in 1950. Chitpavanism is something beyond traditional Brahminism or just being a Hindu. Chitpavans had been the first to break away from the traditional mold of Brahmanic profession and accept other and especially new emerging professions. Secret of Chitpavanism is not in the genes as much as it is in the culture.This book tells you what Chitpavanism is, and is written for the next generation to learn the historical "connections," no matter where in the world Chitpavans wake up in the morning to know how did we get here in "today" in the first place?
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