Agarwal Gotra List: The 18 Gotras of Maharaja Agrasen (अग्रवाल गोत्र)

The Agarwal (Agrawal) community traces its roots to Maharaja Agrasen, the visionary and benevolent ruler of the ancient republic of Agroha (modern-day Hisar district, Haryana).

To build a harmonious, prosperous, and egalitarian society, Maharaja Agrasen conducted 18 grand Vedic Yagnas under the spiritual guidance of 18 revered Maharishis. Each of his 18 sons was blessed by a presiding Rishi, establishing the 18 foundational Gotras of the Agarwal Samaj.

## The Complete 18 Agarwal Gotras Table

Below is the verified record of all 18 Agarwal gotras, their root Vedic Rishis, classical pravaras, and direct links to their dedicated profiles:

| # | Gotra (गोत्र) | Rishi (ऋषि) | Pravara (प्रवर) | Gotra Profile Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | **Garg** (गर्ग) | Maharishi Garga | Gargya, Sainya, Saurava | [View Garg Gotra](/gotra/garg) |
| 2 | **Bansal** (बंसल) | Maharishi Vatsa | Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnavana, Aurva, Jamadagnya | [View Bansal Gotra](/gotra/bansal) |
| 3 | **Bindal** (बिंदल) | Maharishi Vashishtha / Bindu | Vashishtha, Indrapramada, Bharadvasu | [View Bindal Gotra](/gotra/bindal) |
| 4 | **Bhandal** (भंदल) | Maharishi Dhaumya / Bhrigu | Bhargava, Chyavana, Dhaumya | [View Bhandal Gotra](/gotra/bhandal) |
| 5 | **Dharan** (धारण) | Maharishi Dhaumya | Dhaumya, Devala, Asita | [View Dharan Gotra](/gotra/dharan) |
| 6 | **Airan** (ऐरण) | Maharishi Aurva | Bhargava, Chyavana, Aurva | [View Airan Gotra](/gotra/airan) |
| 7 | **Goyal** (गोयल) | Maharishi Gautama | Angirasa, Ayasya, Gautama | [View Goyal Gotra](/gotra/goyal) |
| 8 | **Goyan** (गोयन) | Maharishi Garga branch / Sankritya | Sankritya, Gaurivita, Garga | [View Goyan Gotra](/gotra/goyan) |
| 9 | **Jindal** (जिंदल) | Maharishi Jaimini | Angirasa, Barhaspatya, Jaimineya | [View Jindal Gotra](/gotra/jindal) |
| 10 | **Kansal** (कंसल) | Maharishi Kaushik (Vishwamitra) | Vaishvamitra, Devarata, Audala | [View Kansal Gotra](/gotra/kansal) |
| 11 | **Kuchhal** (कुच्छल) | Maharishi Kashyapa | Kashyapa, Avatsara, Naidhruva | [View Kuchhal Gotra](/gotra/kuchhal) |
| 12 | **Madhukul** (मधुकुल) | Maharishi Mudgala | Angirasa, Bharmyashva, Maudgalya | [View Madhukul Gotra](/gotra/madhukul) |
| 13 | **Mangal** (मंगल) | Maharishi Mandavya | Mandavya, Vashishtha, Upamanyu | [View Mangal Gotra](/gotra/mangal) |
| 14 | **Mittal** (मित्तल) | Maharishi Maitreya / Mudgala | Angirasa, Bharmyashva, Maudgalya | [View Mittal Gotra](/gotra/mittal) |
| 15 | **Nagal** (नागल) | Maharishi Nagesha | Nagesha, Kashyapa, Daivala | [View Nagal Gotra](/gotra/nagal) |
| 16 | **Singhal** (सिंघल) | Maharishi Shandilya | Shandilya, Asita, Devala | [View Singhal Gotra](/gotra/singhal) |
| 17 | **Tayal** (तायल) | Maharishi Taitireya | Taitireya, Angirasa, Barhaspatya | [View Tayal Gotra](/gotra/tayal) |
| 18 | **Tingal** (तिंगल) | Maharishi Tandya / Shandilya | Shandilya, Asita, Tandya | [View Tingal Gotra](/gotra/tingal) |

## Is Agarwal a Gotra?

No. A frequent point of confusion is whether "Agarwal" is a gotra. **Agarwal is a community (Samaj / caste), not an individual gotra.** Every person of the Agarwal community belongs to one of the 18 specific gotras established by Maharaja Agrasen (such as Garg, Bansal, Goyal, Mittal, Singhal, or Jindal). Writing "Agarwal" or "Agrawal" as a surname signifies membership in the Agroha heritage, but the paternal ritual gotra is always one of these 18.

## Are Agarwals Marwari?

Agarwals who historically migrated and settled in the Marwar and Shekhawati regions of Rajasthan (e.g. Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu) are culturally and commercially identified as Marwari Agarwals or Marwari Banias. At the same time, substantial Agarwal populations remained in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Both groups share the identical 18 Gotra system, Agroha origins, and reverence for Maharaja Agrasen and Kuldevi Jeen Mata / Shakambhari Mata.

## Agarwal Kuldevi Traditions

While gotra is inherited through paternal lineage, Kuldevi worship is shaped by family ancestral settlements and regional traditions. Among Agarwals:
- **Jeen Mata** (located in Ghorana / Sikar, Rajasthan) is the premier Kuldevi for hundreds of thousands of Agarwal families.
- **Shakambhari Mata** (near Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan and Saharanpur, UP) is the revered deity for many Goyal, Singhal, Bansal, and Mittal clans.
- **Kalka Mata**, **Mansa Devi**, and **Mata Vaishno Devi** are also worshipped as ancestral protectors depending on specific regional branches.

To understand the distinction between gotra and family deities, read our comprehensive guide on [Gotra vs Kuldevta vs Pravara](/blog/gotra-vs-kuldevta-vs-pravara).

## Can Two People of the Same Agarwal Gotra Marry?

In the traditional Agarwal Samaj, **Sagotra marriage (marrying someone with the same gotra) is strictly prohibited.** Under Hindu tradition and Agroha customs, members of the same gotra are considered spiritual siblings sharing identical paternal ancestry. Traditional Agarwal matrimonial matches typically verify exogamy across three to four gotras: the boy’s gotra, mother’s gotra (Nanke / Matripaksha), and maternal grandmother’s gotra (Dadi/Nani gotra).