Origin
It is believed
that our existence
in these districts
is of a few hundred
years. Some version
says that a handful
of families migrated
from Hampi, the
capital of Vijayanagar
Empire now in
Bellary district
after the debacle
of the Vijayanagara
Kingdom. Muslim
rulers invaded
Hampi after the
king Ramaraya
was killed in
the battle of
Talikote in 1565
AD and our forefathers
who were the
soldiers were
forced to run
for safety leaving
all their belongings.
It is further
believed that
our original
deity is placed
at Anegundi (the
first capital
of Vijayanagara
Empire) near
Hospet in Bellary
Dist. Though
there are no
authentic records
in this regard,
the historical
facts that the
Vijayanagara
Rulers followed
the Vaishnava
Dharma (worshiping
Lord Vishnu)
as we follow
and our Kula
Guru His Holiness
Vyasaraja Theertha
was the spiritual
advisor to the
Vijayanagar Empire
supports the
version. Vyasaraja
Theertha established
the first Vyasaraja
Mutt in Hampi
and later on
at other places
including Kundapur
of which we are
the primary disciples
By the geographical
spread out of
the community
it is evident
that the original
cluster was placed
in and around
Kundapur of Udupi
district and
further expanded
to south up to
Brahmavar. Since
this part of
the district
was separated
from other places
by rivers on
the north and
the south further
flow across the
river was slow.
By the professional
skill of extracting
vegetable oil
in the traditional
method we are
called as Ganiga
or Menya in the
region. Few
of those settled
in Tulu speaking
areas of Udupi
and those of North
Kanara district
have changed
their surnames
as Shetty in
course of time.
In the recent
past some literate
members have
added the word
Somakshatriya
to Ganiga based
on the tradition
and the faith
we belong to,
so that an independent
identity is retained
amongst Ganigas.
Due to modernization
of oil extraction
and establishment
of mechanized
oil mills we
were rendered
jobless and were
driven to other
sundry jobs like
farm labour etc.
Eventually the
community remained
backward economically,
educationally
and socially
as well. After
independence
of the country
the movement
of our people
to nearby big
cities in search
of livelihood
has helped their
families to improve
the living standards.
Now we have diversified
our activities
to agriculture,
petty business,
hotels, small
industries etc
and some in Govt.
jobs and other
professions.
However the majority
families still
live in poverty.
We have since
spread over to
different parts
of the state
mainly Bangalore,
Shimoga, Hubli,
Belgaum Etc.
and outside the
state mainly
in Mumbai. We
have our presence
in many important
countries such
as Gulf, USA,
England and Singapore.
