The community Bhavsar was named after these two Princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh. But as the historical period passed away, there was a certain phase of civilization wherein there was a cultural and economic stability in ancient India. In the meantime apart from being at the royal service, few members from the community started developing skills in stitching and dyeing clothes. These skills enabled them to grow as professional artisans and in turn Royal Tailors & Dress Designers. These artisans had to travel a lot as their skills were well known throughout the nation. That was how they settled down across the country adapting to the culture of the area where they settled down, yet maintaining their own. They could flourish just because they could adapt to any kind of situation and adopt the profession that was the need of time.
The Bhavsar is an ethnic community originating from the Saurashtra of erstwhile Pakistan. Tradition has it that was formed by Bhav Singh and Sar Singh, two young princes from North Western India.
Hinglaj Mata or Hingulamba is regarded as the Kuldevi or the Clan Goddess of the community. The princes sought protection from Lord Parashuram, who had vowed to destroy all Kshatriyas. The shrine where Bhav Singh and Sar Singh had prayed to the goddess is located near Karachi in present day Pakistan.
Bhavsars are found mostly in Karnataka, Maharashtra, southern Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Madhya Pradesh, all adapting to their local culture and traditions to varying degrees. The total population is about a crore in India and due to the lack of basic facilities like education and health, many Bhavsars migrate to various states in India and other states seeking livelihood. The community continues to be a very scattered and unable to connect and reach each other as they lack a common platform to meet and discuss their routine challenges.
Bhavsars are known for their simple, tolerant and integrating lifestyle. This community has been engaged in trade and merchandise activities for generations and with time they have accomplished in education, profession and social service. Migrants to other states invariably continue to speak their native tongue while being multilingual with the local language. The community is well accepted in all parts of the country for their excellent adaptation to local culture and their peace loving nature.
The hard work of community is yielding fruits in the present generation wherein some of the Bhavsars are pursuing successful business & professions, both in India & abroad.
Legend has it that when goddess Sati, the consort of god Shiva burnt herself in response to her father’s anger at her for not inviting Shiva to a ceremony. In order to calm his anger, god Vishnu took the body of Sati and began to cut it into 51 pieces where they all fell at different parts of the Earth. Hindus believe that the head of Sati fell in the area of Hinglaj Mata in Baluchistan, present-day Pakistan.
According to the ancient mythology, it’s believed to be the place where the head Brahma Randra that was fallen apart from the immolated corpse of goddess Sati applied with Hingul (sindhoor or vermillion applied just above the forehead on the visible portion of the scalp, after parting the hair in the middle – to denote that she was married and that her husband is alive) fell on the ground. Thus, this area is a very significant region in the Hindu region and a revered pilgrimage site.
Hinglaj is an holy shrine, located about 120km North West of Karachi, on the Banks of River Hingol at Makran. This sacred place of pilgrimage is particularly situated in a mountain cave “Hinglaj” on river bank of “Hinghol” at the foothills of “Kheerthar” mountains called “Kanraj” in Lyari district of Baluchistan, the province of Pakistan. It is considered one of the famous and biggest “Teeraths” of Indo Pak subcontinent.