Patra or Patara is a caste found in the
Odisha State of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.
Traditionally they are
petty traders (silk-weavers)
inside and outside of the village. They trade in cotton and silk yarn, vermilion, and sacred threads meant for various rites and rituals. They are also required to supply these materials to the village deity and also to the
Hindu caste people of the village on various ceremonial such as religious occasions.
Social life
They have two sub-divisions named, 1-Aswini Patara and 2-Gaudia Patara. They used the surnames includes; Kotual, Ash,
Behera, Guin, Patra, Paramanik, Naha, Tosh,
Sahoo, Dalal etc. The religious festivals like Pana Sankranti, Kanak Durga Puja and Hara Gouri Puja are mostly associated with the people of Patara community.
Status
They are included in the
rahminsin the state of Odisha and West Bengal.
Reference
{{Reflist
Social groups of Odisha
Indian castes