Chhandog

The history of the Chhandog Brahmins can be traced since the period of the King Janaka in Mithila. The Maithil sage Gautama was the Kulguru of the King Janaka. He made a significant contribution to the emergence of the Samaveda. Since the verses of the Samaveda are chanted in Chhand, therefore it is also called as Chhandog. In the later period, Yajnavalkya became the Kulguru of the King Janaka. His ashram was also near the Gautam Ashram in Mithila. He founded Shukla Yajurveda. The Samhita of the Shukla Yajurveda was called as Vajasaneyi Samhita. A large number of Brahmins in Mithila at that time period started following the Vedic sage Yajnavalkya. They started following Vajasaneyi Samhita for their rituals. As the follower of Vajasaneyi Samhita, they were called Vajasaneyi Brahmins. Even a large number of Maithil Brahmins became Vajasaneyi Brahmins, a significant number of Maithil Brahmins continued following Samaveda till now. That is why around twenty-five percent of Maithil Brahmins are still followers of the Samaveda Samhita, and are called Chandogas. == Rituals and practices ==

The mantra for wearing the sacred thread Janeu by the Chhandog Brahmins is The janeu of Chhandog Brahmin has 3 paravals. The term Paravals means number of knots given in a new Janeu while preparing it to wear. These three paravals represent the three pravaras of the Shandilya gotra. They are Asita, Devala and Shandilya. In ancient times, after Upanayana sanskar the Brahmin had to live at the Ashram of the Gurukul of his acharya for minimum 12 years to study Vedas. The young Brahmin was allowed for Vivah Sanskar (marriage) only after the completion of 12 years from the upanayan sanskar ceremony. In this time period of 12 years, the young Brahmin had to learn scriptures, Vedas, social studies, and the texts of the curriculum at Gurukul, etc. The Vivah Sanskar of the Chhandog Brahmin is performed according to the rituals guided by Chhandogaanam Vivah Paddhati. == References ==