Hindu gotras

There are 49 established Hindu gotras. All members of a particular gotra are believed to possess certain common characteristics by way of nature or profession. Many theories have been propounded to explain this system. According to the brahminical theory, the Brahmins are the direct descendants of seven or eight sages who are believed to be the mind-born sons of Brahma. They are Gautama, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Vashista, Kashyapa and Atri. To this list, Agasthya is also sometimes added. These eight sages are called gotrakarins from whom all the 49 gotras (especially of the Brahmins) have evolved. For instance, from Atri sprang the Atreya and Gavisthiras gotras.

A gotra must be distinguished from a kula. A kula is a set of people following similar cultural rituals, often worshiping the same divinity (the Kula-Devata, god of the clan). Kula does not relate to lineage or caste. In fact, it is possible to change one's kula, based on one's faith.

Hindu gotras

Nageshwar
Sawarna
Marichi
Manikya - Kuruba Gowdas
Bhardwaj
Agastya
Angirasa
Atri
Bhrigu
Kashyapa
Koundinya
Vashista
Harinama
Vishvamitra
Pamidikula
Grandhisila
Dosodia
Siwal
Serawat
Haritasa హరితస
Hansaj
Palakai
vishnu
Gowans Gotra (Mundhra community)

List of Brahmin Gotras

The following is a partial list of gotras found in the Brahmin community of Hindus:
Agastya
Atri
Angad
Angirasa
Bharadwaj
Bhargava
Charora
Chyavana
Dadhichi
Dalabhya
Garga
Harita/ Haritasa/Haritsa
Jamadagni
Kanva
Kapil
Kapinjala
Kaushik/Koshik/Koushik,Kushika/Ghrit kaushika
Katyayana
Mandavya
Marichi
Markandeya
Mauna Bhargava
Mudgala (Moudgil, Mudgal)
Mudgal
Parashara
Pautamarshi
ramanuja
Salankayana
Sankrithi(Sankrityayan)
Shandilya
Shiva
Soral
Srivatsa
Suryadhwaja
Shaunaka
Srivatsa
Upadhyay
Upreti
Vadula
Vashista
Vatsa
Vatsyayan
Vishnuvriddha
Vishnuvardhana
Vishvamitra
Vartantu
Valasha