Gopal (caste)

Gopal or Gopala (also known as Gauda) is an Indian caste which is a synonym of the Ahir (Yadav) caste[1] from Odisha State in India. Their traditional occupation is cattle-herding and cultivation.[2]

Origin and History

The Gopalas (Gaudas) claim that they are descendants from God Krishna of Yadu lineage.[3]

According to their history, during the Mahabharata war the Gopalas were the warriors soldiers of God Krishna's Yadav Army (Narayani Sena). They fought against the Pandavas, on the side of the Kauravas, by decision of God Krishna.[4]

Culture

The Dola Purnima (Holi festival) is the Major festival of Gopalas (Gaudas), they carries the Bimana (Palanquin) of Radha Krishna in Holi festival.

Laudi Khela is a traditional dance of the Gaudas (Gopalas), which is performed during Dola Purnima. In this dance the young Gopala boys wearing a special clothes, dance with striking each other's stick in a rhythmical manner in front of the Palanquin of Radha Krishna.[5][6]

Reference
  1. Robert Vane Russell (1916). The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India (Volumes I and II). Library of Alexandria. pp. 417–. ISBN 978-1-4655-8294-2.
  2. Ramesh P. Mohanty; Durgesh Nandini Biswal (2007). Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal. Mittal Publications. p. 39. ISBN 978-81-8324-199-1.
  3. Rabindra Nath Pati (2008). Family Planning. APH Publishing. pp. 115–. ISBN 978-81-313-0352-8.
  4. Lok Nath Soni (2000). The Cattle and the Stick: An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh. Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Department of Culture. ISBN 978-81-85579-57-3.
  5. Nanda, Kanhu (2013-04-06). "Odihsa's folk dance 'Laudi Khela' during Dola fest loses its fame and charm". Odisha Views. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  6. "gopabandhuacademy.gov.in" (PDF).
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