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Gotram (singular: Gothram/Gotram; plural: Gothra/Gotra) indicates lineage in the Hindu Brahmin community. Each of the Gothra is named after a great ancient Rishi, to which every Hindu Brahmin can trace his/her lineage. If a Brahmin belongs to Gothram x, it means that he has descended through direct male line, from the Rishi x.
When a woman marries, she takes on her husband's Gothram. Sons possess their father's Gothram for life.
The Gothrams are common to both the Iyers and Iyengars. The most common of the Gothra is Bharadhwaja Gothram, to which Drona of the Mahabharatha belonged.
There are totally seven Gothrams in the south Indian Brahmin community:
Bharathwajam Srivatsam Naidhruvakashyabam Athreyam Koundiliyum Kausigam Shadamarshanam