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Bhattarai (Nepali:भट्टराई) is a surname used by certain subgroup belonging to the Brahmin caste, Kshetri and natives of Nepal, Northeast India, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Bhattarai were the advisor and rajpurohit of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. They advised king to unite various small kingdom to block British expansion. They are believed to be the direct descendant of Rishi Vasisht, one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages) in the seventh (i.e. the present) Manvantara (the age of a Manu).
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Divisions based on Sub-communities
Bhattarai is a sub caste referred to as thar in the Nepalese community. The Bhattarai has fourfold divisions: Sindhuley (si:n-δu:-le), Saalukhey (sa:-lu:-khe), Gamlangey (ga:m-la:-ηge) and Chiisungkhey (t∫i:-su:ηg-khe).
Gamlangey Bhattarai
They come from the region of Gamlangtar according to their oral traditions. They worship a local Masto Deity. They are called "Mundali Masta" coming from Mundal.
Religion
Bhattarai people are the decedents of Khas people of the ancient Khas kingdom of the western Nepal and follow Hinduism. Under the caste system of the Khas people, e.g. Bahun, Chettri, Bhakuni, Thakuri, etc., Bhattarai people fall under the Bahun and Chettri category.
Culture
The Bhattarai community adheres to the traditional Hindu-Nepali Brahmanic culture. Originally from the Gandaki basin in the central-hilly region of Nepal, which includes districts such as Gorkha and Syangja, the Bhattarai population has since spread widely across Nepal and into neighboring India.
Gotras of Bhattarai
Gotra is the clan system. Generally it is the group of people of several generations who are the descendants of an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Bhattarai belongs to Vashista gotra. They are known to be the descendants of Rishi Vishista. The gotras of Bhattarai's are Bhandari, Chalise, Dwadi, Gaire, Kharel, Mudabhari, Raut, Suyal (Garthi), Suyal (Thapa), Thangsine