The Havyaka community is one of the most significant groups of people who reside in the city of Mangalore in Karnataka. The Haviks or the people of the Havyaka group belong to the Brahmin caste and form one of the major groups of people in the southern part of the country.

According to popular belief, the people who belong to the Havyaka community are the descendants of 32 Brahmins who went to the kingdom of Mayursharma. These Brahmin people originally belong to Ahicchatra of North India. These people have a great deal of knowledge of the Vedas and were very efficient in organizing havana to pay homage to important deities. The region where they used to live is called 'Haiva' or 'Haiga'.

These people were well known in the region for performing different types of havanas. The community of Havyakas has become more and more adapted to the socio-cultural life of the region. The Havyakas of Mangalore now speak Kannada.

The major ways of livelihood for the people who belong to this Brahmin community of South India are horticulture and agriculture. The main agricultural products associated with the Havyakas are areca, coconut and different types of spices including pepper.

The Havyaka group of people is also showing interest in fine arts. One of the most important contributions of the people of the Havyaka community is the special folk form of theatre called Yakshagana. They have proved their skills in different fields of art like dance, music and prasangas. They are also highly skilled in the art of anchoring and have earned a lot of name as Bhagvats.

Last Updated on 21 September 2011