| Group: | Menaria |
| Native Name: | मेनारिया |
| Regions: | India |
| Langs: | Hindi, Mewari, English |
| Related: | Mehta, Paneri, Joshi, Vyas, Harjot,Sharma |
Menaria (Menariya, Menaria) is a warrior community of Brahmin community found in south Rajasthan, mainly across Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara and Rajsamand,Nimbahera Banswara.
Menaria (मेनारिया in Hindi), also known as Menaria, Menaria Samaj is a caste inhabiting the Indian state of Rajasthan,[1] originating from the districts of Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara and Rajsamand. Menaria is one of the subcaste of the Brahmin community. They engaged in all kinds of priestly work and also acquired a large amount of farming land. They descended from the region and are often referred to as the 52 Kheda Brahmins (Kheda means village).
The Menaria community are found in places such as Cheerwa (Udaipur) Vallabhnagar (Udaipur), Girva (Udaipur), Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Kapasan, Badi Sadri, Doongla,हरीयाखेड़ी, Dheenwa, Varni, Neemach and Mandsaur and Indore district. The largest villages with Menaria people are Menar, Panerion Ki Madri, Rundera, [नपानिया], Kharsan, Vana, Sangriya (सांगरिया जोशी),Chorwadi, Gawardi, Nilod, Mahuda, Suwaniya, Chokdi,Batherda khurd (joshi).
The famous village of Menaria Samaj is Batheda khurd which has the ancient temple of Maa Kalika. Most people of Batherda khurd (Menaria Samaj) have relocated abroad to the US, Europe or the UAE, etc. for work.
The biggest village of Menaria Samaj, Menar, and Rundera started a tree planting project named Hariyalo Rundera & Hariyalo Menar. A village, which is away from Menar Region name Gawardi started a similar mission dubbed Project Green Gawardi. In that mission the youth of the village planted trees in the whole village. This was a great initiative appreciated by the whole Menaria Samaj.
After a treaty was signed between the Mewar and the Mughals, many armed stations were established across Mewar State. Maharana Amarsingh was the king then. After the attack at Uthala Fort by the Mughals, Menariya Brahmin villagers of Menar took up arms and defeated the Mughals. The day fell on Jamra Beej (the second day after Holi) which is celebrated till today by the locals to cherish the valour of their ancestors. Villagers get together at Omkareshwar square and fireworks and guns are fired, and sweets distributed.