Introduction: What is Thar and Gotra in Nepali Culture?
In Nepali Hindu society, Thar (थर) is a surname or family identity, while Gotra list (गोत्र) represents an ancestral clan derived from ancient sages (Rishis). The Gotra system is deeply rooted in Vedic traditions and is followed mainly by Brahmins (Bahuns) and Chhetris, as well as many Hindu communities in India and Nepal.
Each Brahmin Thar corresponds to a specific Gotra such as Bharadwaj, Kashyap, Atreya, or Kaudinya, named after Vedic sages. This linkage influences rituals, marriage decisions, and cultural identity across generations.
🔍 What is Gotra Meaning in Nepali?
In Nepali, gotra refers to ऋषिको वंश, meaning the lineage descended from an ancient sage (Rishi). It is a patrilineal concept, ensuring that family lines do not intermix genetically and spiritually.
The Gotra system avoids the union of blood relatives or milk relatives (shared breastfeeding), hence preserving diversity in genetics and bloodlines.
💡 Same Gotra Marriage Problem in Nepali Tradition
In Vedic beliefs, marrying someone of the same Gotra is considered taboo. Here’s why:
- Same Gotra marriage = Not allowed
- Different Gotra marriage = Recommended
This rule protects against genetic disorders and maintains the spiritual purity of the lineage.
📋 100+ Nepali Thar and Their Gotra List
Below is a compiled and verified list of common Nepali Thars (surnames) and their corresponding Gotras:
| Thar (Surname) | Gotra |
|---|---|
| Acharya | Kaudinya |
| Adhikari | Bharadwaj |
| Aryal | Atreya |
| Baral | Ghrit Kaushik |
| Bastola | Garga |
| Bhandari | Vasistha |
| Bhattarai | Vasistha |
| Bhatta | Vishwamitra |
| Budhathoki | Dhananjaya |
| Dahal | Vatsa |
| Devkota | Atreya |
| Dhakal | Upamanyu |
| Dhungana | Kaushik |
| Ghimire | Kashyap |
| Gautam | Gautam |
| Gyawali | Mandavya |
| Joshi | Gautam |
| Khanal | Ghrit Kaushik |
| Kharel | Kaudinya |
| Khadka | Kaudinya |
| Koirala | Maudgalya |
| Lamichhane | Bharadwaj |
| Lamsal | Vatsa |
| Lohani | Bharadwaj |
| Luitel | Kaushik |
| Mainali | Upamanyu |
| Marhattha | Parashar |
| Neupane | Kaudinya |
| Niraula | Bharadwaj |
| Ojha | Atri |
| Pandey | Bharadwaj |
| Panthi | Mandavya |
| Paudel | Atreya |
| Pokharel | Bharadwaj |
| Prasai | Shandilya |
| Puri | Bhardwaj |
| Rawal | Kashyap |
| Regmi | Kaushik |
| Rijal | Dhananjaya |
| Rosyara | Atreya |
| Sapkota | Kaudinya |
| Sigdel | Atreya |
| Sitaula | Bharadwaj |
| Subedi | Bharadwaj |
| Timilsina | Vasistha |
| Upreti | Vatsa |
| Wagle | Atreya |
| Yogi | Kashyap |
Here is a complete detail list
| Gotra | Surname | Pravara (Lineage) |
|---|---|---|
| Agastya | Dhungel | Agastya, Dardhyachyuta, Idmavaha (Agasti, Jaimini, Dadhichi) |
| Gotra | Surnames | Pravara (Lineage) |
|---|---|---|
| Atri | Khatiwada, Gautam, Chapagai, Mishra, Ojha, Adhikari, Pahari, Basti, Gotame, Godar, Thadarai, Dangi, Ghotane Gurung, Malla, Aryal (Kala), Awasthi, Kathayat, Kawari, Khadka (Kalikoti), Kulkarni (Maharashtri), Gelal, Geli (Pathak), Bagale (Gora), Dotel, Thalari, Thapa (Kalikoti), Khulal, Puwar, Bagale, Vihare, Dulal, Duwadi, Pamar (Kshetri), Bam (Rakse Thakuri), Bhatt (Pashupati), Madati (Thakuri), Malla (Thakuri Achhami, Parbate, Samal), Hamal (Kale, Gore), Dangi, Somvanshi (Achhami Thakuri), Samal, Sandel, Maidali, Yadav, Ranabhat, Shah (Thakuri Raskoti Samal) | Atri, Archanasa (Archananas), Shyavashva |
| Gotra | Surnames (Thar) | Pravara |
|---|---|---|
| Ātreya | Aryal, Dawadi, Duwadi, Dulal, Gelel, Pokharel (Pani), Sigdel, Bagale, Kalikote Khadka, Kalikote Thapa, Paudel (Dark), Paudel (Fair), Arjyal, Thapa (Puwar), Thapa (Khulal), Thapa (Bagal), Thapa (Vihare), Thapa (Kalikote), Duwadi (Bhatt), Rai, Ranabhat, Dulal, Osti, Gelel, Sigdel, Khatri (Bhujel) | Ātreya, Archanānasa, Shyāvāshva |
| Gotra | Surnames (Thar) | Pravara |
|---|---|---|
| Aṅgira | Joshi (Silai), Sedhai, Gauli, Tandon | Aṅgiras, Bārhaspatya, Audumbha |
| Ātasya | Pahadi | Kāśyapa, Āvatsara, Naidhruva |
| Ātastaya | Pahadi | Kāśyapa, Āvatsara, Naidhruva |
| Indrapramada | Ojha, Mehta | Vaśiṣṭha, Aindra-pramada, Bhāradvāja |
| Upamanyu | Upreti, Oli, Karmacharya, Joshi, Dulal, Pandey, Bhatt (Duval), Dhakal, Mainali, Bartoula, Daini, Pandey, Pachbhaiya (Maharashtrian), Pathak, Pande, Phulara, Bisht (Dadde), Mishra, Mainali, Vaidya, Pant (Acharya) | Upamanyu, Kapila, Viruja |
| Gotra | Surnames (Thar) | Pravara |
|---|---|---|
| Kapila | Puwaar (Bisht), Thapa, Bohara Khadka, Dani (Kshatri) | Kapila, Kanchana, Vishwamitra |
| Gotra | Surnames (Thar) | Pravara |
|---|---|---|
| Kashyapa | Adhikari (Bhandare), Adhikari (Khilchine), Adhikari (Kauwali), Amatya, Awasthi, Ojha, Kammar, Kakshapati, Kahali, Kai Kasaju, Kayastha, Karki (Jugadi), Kumal, Kumbhairana, Khadka (Chhadko), Thakuri (Khand), Thakuri (Khan), Khidkisainee, Khidewala, Gaurtaula, Gayan, Gupta (Rauniyar), Gharti (Bhujel), Ghimire (Budhipola), Ghimire (Chitapkhala), Ghimire (Chitikhole), Ghimire (Budhiyal), Ghimire (Rumale), Ghodasainee, Chatout, Chhagala Thani, Jiyu (Thakuri), Joshi (Shrestha), Jha, Tamata, Gatala, Thagunna (Singh Thakuri), Thakuri, Thakurani, Tandukar, Tiwari, Thapa (Ghimire), Thapa (Godar), Darji, Dugad, Deuba, Dojui, Dhami, Dhwajju, Nakarmi, Naga, Negi, Pradhan, Pandey (Badkhora), Pandey (Badal), Pandey (Bhumihar), Pandey (Simaldia), Patra, Bakheti, Badal, Batasa, Baniya, Wangrai, Vajuri, Bijukchhe, Gaida, Idwal, Tila, Bagdagal, Budhathoki, Shonari, Shrivastava, Saud, Saxena, Singhal, Velwase, Vokti, Bhatt (Musyal), Bhatt (Kalauni), Bhwomi, Matmari, Madal, Mann, Malku, Malla, Mallik, Mahtara, Makaju, Majhi (Rai), Mathema, Malakar, Mishra, Mudbhari (Doteli), Yadav, Ranjit, Raulo (Thakuri), Rai (Thakuri), Rokka, Rauniyar (Gupta), Lakaul, Vaidya, Shah (Thakuri), Shahi, Godar Thapa, Bogati, Budhathoki (Sodari), Sindhuliya, Singh (Rajput), Suwal, Saij, Hamal, Humli, Hait, Haiphori, Hada, Nhche Pradhan, Kathayat, Chhatakuli, Pandey, Simaldia, Badkhor, Shrestha, Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, Badal, Sen (Oli), Majhi, Alina Adhikari | Kashyapa, Avatsara, Naidhruva |
| Gotra | Thar (Surnames/Clans) | Pravara (Lineage) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaushalya | Bhadari, Bham, Mahataro (Kshetri), Dangi, Thami (Kshatriya), Bogati | Agastya, Mahendra, Mayobhu |
| Kautsa | Kakar | Angirasa, Mandhatra, Kautsa |
| Krishnajanni | Visht (Kamalakote) | Vashishtha, Shaktya, Parashara |
| Krishnatri | Khakurel, Duve, Visht | Atreya, Archanamanasa, Shyavashva |
| Katyayana | Jha, Mishra | Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnuvan, Arstishena, Anupa |
| Kudita | Khadka (Lakai) | Vashishtha, Maitravaruna, Kaudinya |
| Kushika | Baduwal, Barma (Chhantyal) | Vaishvamitra, Daivarata, Audala |
| Kaundinya | Acharya (Lamjel, Bhawagi, Dixit), Gagle, Marasini, Satyal, Baskota, Gaire, Thapa (Wagle/Bagale), Paneru, Parajuli, Pyakurel, Nyaopane, Khadka (Kamalkote/Lakai), Pathak, Banskota, Bhandari (Kala), Dixit, Sapkota, Banjade, Banjara, Rawal, Lamjal, Morasaini, Trital, Rakah, Punjali, Raunal (Lakai), Acharya, Oli, Rajopadhyaya (Acharya), Bhatt (Acharya), Thapa | Kaudinya, Vashishtha, Maitravaruna |
| Kaushika | Dhungana, Dhital, Khaptari Basnet, Majhi, Bastakoti, Lamichhane, Khadka (Khapati), Bidari, Rimal, Regmi, Pudasaini, Rayamajhi, Luitel, Tiwari, Baniya, Raghuvanshi Bhandari, Phuyal, Pathak, Oja, Budhathapa, Ghodasaini, Chimali, Thapa, Chatkuli, Joshi (Regmi), Tandon, Dangi, Thami, Bakheti, Bam (Chhantyal Thakuri), Barma, Betali, Bhandari (Achhami), Rajopadhyay (Rimal), Raya, Swarn, Senchhuri, Shahi (Sijapati), Sanjel, Achhami Thakuri, Baniya, Bogati, Rokaya, Heti, Gauli, Dashauliya | Kaushika, Devarata, Audala, Aghamarshana, Vishvamitra |
| Garga | Bastola, Palpali Khadka, Lamichhane (Bhatt), Rokaha, Risal, Bhurtel, Gajurel, Acharya, Lamichhane Thapa, Joshi (Jhijhar), Bhatt, Bhetwal, Lamichhane Gurung, Agrawal, Acharya (Bhurtel), Khetan, Gupta (Agrawal), Goyal (Agrawal), Goyanka, Chundal, Chukudal, Chaudhary (Agrawal), Jhijhar, Thapa (Lamichhane), Pal (Doteli), Pokharel (Dangali), Poddar (Agrawal), Bastola, Malla (Raikaji), Mittal, Modi, Roka, Lamjel, Vanshal, Vaidya (Maharashtri), Shah (Kanskeli Khand), Shah (Raikaji), Joshi | Garga, Gargya, Gautama, Vishvamitra, Parashara, Ghritakaushika, Mandavya, Atharva, Vaishampayana |
| Gautama | Tiwari, Guni, Dhodari, Chand, Tripathi, Dangal, Indauriya (Gauda), Chan, Negi, Pade (Paleu), Bam (Thakuri), Visht, Bhandari, Mahat, Mahto, Joshi | Gautama, Angirasa, Barhaspatya |
| Ghritakaushika | Pandit, Baral, Nepal, Khanal, Bardeva, Karki (Sutar), Apagai, Khatri, Khanal (Khoriyan/Gara), Ratatinguli, Baraili | Ghritakaushika, Vishvamitra |
| Jamadagni | Ghodasaini | Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnuvan, Aurva, Jamadagnya |
| Jaimini | Ghodasaini, Majhi | Bhargava, Vaitahavya, Savedasa |
| Tandi | Jha | Angirasa, Sankritya, Ambarisha |
| Taittiriya | Vishwakarma | Bhargava, Shaunhotra, Gartsmada |
| Dhananjaya | Bhushal, Karki (Khulal), Pangeni, Basnet, Basyal, Bhandari, Badhathoki, Dhamal, Rizal, Rimal, Humagai, Guragai, Khanal (Khoriyan/Gara), Kunwar, Okharel, Gairipippli, Ghodasaini, Dumre, Dhant, Pangeni, Bakharel, Budhathapa (Kunwar), Marasini, Pakuwaal, Karki | Dhananjaya, Vishvamitra, Madhuchhandasa |
| Parashara | Arya, Kattel, Karki (Lama), Kunwar (Jogi), Dongre, Pant, Panth, Puwar (Karki), Marhatta, Parhatta, Rouila, Ruheil, Dhimal, Pandit, Naral | Parashara, Vashishtha, Shakti |
| Bhargava | Mishra, Awasthi (Deshottara) | Bhargava, Aurva, Jamadagnya |
| Bharadwaja | Niraula, Sangraula, Devkota, Oja, Kandel (Upadhyay/Khadka), Kapri, Kaini, Khadka, Khan (Thakuri), Khani, Getal, Maharaji Thapa, Khand, Sitoula, Pande (Kuleta), Chand (Kumaoni/Pyuthani/Thakuri), Chamkariya, Champal, Chimariya, Chaudhary, Jha (Tiklihada), Chauhan, Choula Gai, Chwai (Subedi), Jamlagai, Jumli, Joshi, Thagunna, Thakuri (Syangjali/Khand), Dallakoti, Thapa (Achhami/Kalikote/Patkheti/Bhandari/Maharaji), Visht (Sijapati), Subedi (Lampakhe/Nayanghare), Silwal, Sivakoti, Wagle, Lohani, Bohora, Pant, Panthi, Patkheti (Thapa), Badhai, Barakoti, Balayar, Balchaudi, Basnet (Sirpali), Baj, Barhakoti, Bimli, Visht (Idbal/Kharakhale/Dhyara/Sijapati/Saun), Bhatt (Palyal), Bhattacharya, Bhandari (Niraula/Suntakhane), Malla (Doteli/Thakuri), Maharaji (Kshatriya), Mishra, Rawal (Palpali), Lohani, Laudari, Vasti, Shah (Medhasi/Thakuri), Shivakoti, Shahi, Singh (Thakuri), Sen (Thakuri), Bhingri, Senwal (Thakuri), Hamal (Thakuri), Vaidwar (Kshetri), Shripali Basnet, Pade, Khani, Pokharel (Doodh), Thapaliya, Joshi (Latola/Niraula), Jamarkattel, Choula Gai, Maharaji Khadka, Dulal, Devkota, Dhami, Nayanghare, Negi, Naulakha, Adhikari (Sharma/Bajgai/Thami), Burlakoti, Majgaiya, Rajouriya, Chimoriya, Lama (Gurung), Ghale (Gurung) | Bharadwaja, Angirasa, Barhaspatya |
| Mandavya | Adhikari (Charka), Katuwal, Maske, Gyawali, Dhital, Bajgai, Panthi, Khadhao Maku, Jayakam, Joshi (Bajgai), Pradhanang, Bisht (Lokhali), Bhandari (Bajgai), Raul (Achhami), Raule, Lokhada, Swar (Bajgai), Maske | Mandu, Mandukya, Vishvamitra |
| Maudgalya | Koirala, Upreti, Kuinkel, Karki (Khulal/Lama/Mudula), Timalsena, Belkani, Thapa (Kalikote), Simkhada, Belbase, Kathayat, Chakravarti, Chatterjee, Chattopadhyay, Timalsina, Pala (Bajureli), Banerjee, Visht (Simkhada), Belkandi, Belbase, Bhattacharya, Mukherjee, Lekali, Simkhada | Maudgalya, Angirasa, Bharmyashva (Aurva, Chyavana, Bhargava, Jamadagnya, Apnuvat) |
| Vatsa | Dahal, Lamsal, Jha, Rupakheti, Rana, Chauhan, Kharal, Kunwar, Jabra, Thakur (Jha), Khulal, Joshi, Budhathapa, Budhathoki (Dahal), Bhatt, Bhatt (Nagar), Mahajan, Mishra, Rana (Kunwar), Rawal | Bhargava, Chyavana, Aptavan, Aurva, Jamadagnya |
| Vashishtha | Kharel, Bhattarai, Chalise, Dawadi, Thangsinghe (Bhandari), Suyal (Gharti), Raut, Suyel (Thapa), Madwari, Pallakoti, Pathak, Keshari, Kasera, Karanjit, Khaniya, Kharel (Mudbhari/Hatiyara), Gamnage, Gharti, Champo (Thakuri), Chamariya, Chalwane, Challa (Thakuri), Chalise, Thakuri (Kalyal), Thapa (Suyal), Dawadi, Dwivedi, Pant, Pathak, Visht (Bhullani), Bhatt (Tapleli), Marhatta, Majhi, Madwari (Surkheti), Raut, Suyal, Soti, Kesari, Gaire, Phallakoti | Vashishtha, Indrapramada, Aabharadvasa |
| Vishvamitra | Bhatt (Anil), Duwadi, Nirvanshi Rai, Rayal | Vishvamitra, Marichi, Kaushika |
| Shandilya | Katuwal, Mahat, Prasai, Kafle (Saji/Vasi), Chandane, Java, Joshi (Tantola), Jha, Tiwari, Das, Dhami, Pain, Pathak, Warai, Basiya, Visht (Kafalya/Kafal), Mandal, Mahat (Kshatriya), Mishra, Raul (Mankoti), Samanti, Sawa | Shandilya, Asita, Devala |
| Shaunaka | Sahi | Shaunaka, Vashishtha, Parashara |
| Bhrigu | Chauhan (Kshetri) | Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnuvan, Aurva, Jamadagnya |
| Ravi | Ghale, Shah (Kalyal Thakuri) | Angirasa, Sankritya, Gauravita |
| Valmiki | Nagila | Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnuvan, Aurva, Jamadagnya |
| Shandil | Mankote, Malakar, Mandal | Shandilya, Asita, Daivala |
| Shunaka | Sonam (Thakuri) | Bhargava, Shaunhotra, Gartsmada |
| Sankritya | Awasthi, Saraswat | Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnuvan, Aurva, Jamadagnya |
| Sanakasa | Malla (Thakuri) | Bhargava, Shaunhotra, Gartsmada |
Social Meaning of the Gotra System in Nepal
In Nepali society, gotra functions as a vital identity marker and is integrated with caste, rituals, and spirituality. Different castes follow their own Gotra practices:
Bahun (Brahmin):
- Strictly follow Gotra-based rituals and Vedic customs.
- Use Gotra in all life-cycle rituals (Sanskar).
Chhetri:
- Recognize Gotra during marriage and festivals.
- Lineage and warrior ancestry preserved.
Newar Brahmins (Rajopadhyaya or Josi):
- Follow Gotra rules similar to Hill Brahmins.
- Highly ritualistic community.
Madhesi Brahmins:
- Share Gotra systems with Indian counterparts.
- Very strict about same Gotra avoidance.
🚫 Same Gotra Marriage – Scientific and Religious View
Avoiding same Gotra marriage is more than just tradition:
- Religious: Same Gotra means same Rishi ancestry – a spiritual incest.
- Scientific: Shared genes = increased risk of genetic disorders.
Thus, cross-Gotra marriage is advised in Hinduism for both spiritual purity and biological health.
🏔️ Gotra Among Ethnic Groups in Nepal
Ethnic communities like Magar, Gurung, Rai, Limbu, and Tamang don’t follow Vedic Gotras but maintain their own clan-based identity system.
| Ethnic Group | Common Clan Names |
|---|---|
| Magar | Thapa, Pun, Ale, Rana |
| Gurung | Ghale, Ghyabre, Lamichhane |
| Rai | Bantawa, Chamling, Kulung |
| Limbu | Nembang, Thebe, Maden |
| Tamang | Moktan, Yonjan, Ghising |
Related Questions (FAQs)
What is Gotra in Nepali Hindu culture?
Gotra refers to an ancestral lineage derived from a Vedic sage or Rishi.
Why do we avoid Gotra marriage in Nepal?
Because it’s considered both spiritually and genetically inappropriate in Vedic culture.
Do Chhetris have Gotra?
Yes. They maintain their own Gotra traditions, especially for marriage and rituals.
What is the difference between Thar and Gotra?
Thar is your caste-based surname; Gotra is your ancestral lineage from a Rishi.
Conclusion – Preserve Your Cultural Identity
Understanding your Nepali Thar and Gotra is more than tradition—it’s about preserving your ancestral roots, spiritual values, and cultural purity. Gotra plays a vital role in determining suitable marriages, performing rituals like Kul Puja, and resolving Gotra dosh in astrology.
Honor your Gotra system, and pass it forward with pride.
Read More: Nepali Janajati Caste and Their Description
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