How To Find Gotra

I have published articles on Brahmin Kshatriya and Vaisya Gotras and a detailed list of Brahmin Gotras.

There have been a lot of queries on Gotras.

Broadly speaking they are of two types.

One informing me that I have left out a Gotra.

As Gotra information is difficult to come by and has to be validated I include the Gotras I missed out provided they stand verification.

There are a lot of Gotras which are not known because Brahmins have dispersed throughout India and have different mother tongues.

I shall be writing on these missed out/rare Gotras shortly after researching into various issues.

The other type of query is as to how one finds his Gotra.

The procedure is as follows.

Find out the Traya Rishis, the three Rishis mentioned in the Pravara.

That is the names of the three/five Rishis in the Abhivadana Mantra,

For example Abhivadaye

Kasyapa Apastara Naithruva

Thraya Rishe

Here the three Rishis are Kasyapa Apastara and Naithruva.

Your Gotra is the one that of the first Rishi

Here it is Kasyapa.

This method is for peoplevwho know Abhivadana but can not name their Gotras(some can not find Gotra even if they know Abhivadana)

For others check from the elders of the family the Sankalpa they perform during pooja orapara kriyas.

From this you can find the three or five Rishis.

If you can not find here or do not know Sankalpa findout the Veda shaka you follow.

If you can not find this find out the names of your paternal grandfather ,great grandfather and let me know the details along with the names of your father,Family Deity and your mother tongue.

I shall try to find out the Gotra.