Gotra

Gotra is a family lineage system that is practiced in Hinduism. Imagine that you and your family are part of a big group of people, and this group is called a gotra. This means that you have a special name that refers to your group of ancestors.

In Hinduism, people believe that they are born into a specific gotra and that this gotra is passed down from their father. For example, if your father's gotra is 'Bhardwaj,' then your gotra will also be 'Bhardwaj.'

Gotras were created to help people avoid marrying their close relatives, which would prevent genetic disorders from passing on. So, if two people belong to the same gotra, it is believed that they are related and they cannot marry each other.

Moreover, people with the same gotra consider each other as brothers and sisters and follow certain customs and traditions that are specific to their gotra. Some people also believe that their gotra is related to a particular sage or saint, and they may offer prayers to them.

In summary, gotra is a way of tracing family ancestry in Hinduism. It helps people keep track of their family lineage and avoid marrying close relatives. Each gotra has its own customs and traditions that are specific to it, and people with the same gotra consider each other as brothers and sisters.