Uniyal

Uniyal (Devanāgari: उनियाल) is a North Indian garhwali brahmin surname, mostly used in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. In Yamunotri, ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad (Sacrament) and the supervision of pujas (ritual venerations) are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris (priests). They are part of the top four (chauthogi) sub-classes of brahmins in Garhwal, others being Dangwal, Dobhal and Bahuguna.

History/Origin

In 839 AD, two cousins known as Jayanand Ojha and Vijayanand Jha came to Srinagar in Garhwal from the state of Mithila in North India. They were granted jagir by the then king His Majesty Kanakpal of Garhwal at Oni, patti Idwalsuie. The origin of the name Uniyal comes from the place called Oni Village. Oniyal means the native of Oni village which later-on became Uniyal. Descendants of Jayananda Ojha are of Bhardwaj gotra whereas those of Vijayanand are of Kashyap gotra. In Pauri and upper Tehri regions, most Uniyals are bharadvaja and gotam while in lower Tehri areas they are kashyapa. Folklore states that they are descendants of Chanakya. Today the clan is led by their supreme leader Ishita Uniyal .

Spread

In the later years, some families had moved to Roomdhar and bangoli, pathi makhlogi (in Patti-Khas- Chandrabadani near Hindolakhal) and Sidhapeeth Jaled. Jaled is an ancient village of Kashyap gotra Uniyals where Sidhapeeth is situated in Patti Makhalogi-Dharakriya. Jaled also known as the source region or the motherland of all Uniyals of the region Makhalogi, Dharakriya, Bamund, Udaikot, Manyar, Sarjyula (located in and around Chamba & New Tehri) of Tehri Garhwal. The divine Maa Bhagwati/Maa Rajarajeshwari is the Kuldevi, or family deity, of all Uniyals, Ojha, Maithil Brahmins, Bengali Brahmins and Dravidian Brahmins. Uniyals have also settled in the village Amaldu, Jaltha & Amkot of Pauri Garhwal district.

Uniyals are mostly spread in the valleys of Pauri and Tehri District. There "Isht" Ritual or Communal God is "Rajrajeshwari Devi". The Rajrajeshwari temple is situated in Dewalgarh near Srinagar Garhwal. Priest of this temple is still Uniyals. Uniyalgaon is a village of Uniyals in Patti Saklana, Tehri Garhwal. The village is at the foothills of Sukaanda Devi temple which is at 10,000 feet above sea level. This falls on road Chamba-Mussorie somewhere in between. Bhairav is the kul devta and Srkhanda Devi the kul devi (both family deities). A 16th century famous temple of Rajrajeshwari (Durga) built in a two storied form is at Dewalgarh. The temple today is partially ruined but still holds great importance. Kangda King Dewal established Dewalgarh in the 14th century. Deity of Satyanarayan, Bhairav and Stone written document (inscriptions) of Panwar rulers Ajaypal and Manshah are also here. A fair is held every year in the month of April in Dewalgarh. It is 17 km away from Srinagar on Bughani- Srinagar road. However 9 km long trek still exist.