| Pronunciation | /t͡ʃɑːliːse/ |
|---|---|
| Language | Nepali, Sanskrit, Burmese, Dzongkha, Doteli |
| Languageorigin | Khas |
| Meaning | Derived from Nepali chalis (“forty”) |
| Derivative |
|
| Region | Nepal |
Chalise[a] is a surname of Khas people of South Asia, found among high-caste Hindus such as Hill Brahmin and Hill Kshatriya in Nepal.[1] The surname is also found among Nepalese diaspora communities in countries such as Bhutan (Lhotshampa people), India (Indian Gorkha), Myanmar (Burmese Gurkhas), and elsewhere around the world.
The Chalise surname belongs to the Vasishtha clan, one of the Saptarishi in Hinduism.[2][3] Historically, the Chalise served as courtiers, royal priests, advisers, scholars, and astrologers in the Baise and Chaubisi kingdoms, as well as in the Kingdom of Gorkha and the Kingdom of Nepal.[citation needed]
Etymology
According to legend, the surname originated after some Bhattarai priests completed forty (chalis in Nepali) chapters of ritual worship (Puja) without dropping a single drop of water from their palm. They were then honored with the title Chalise.[4][5]
Family traditions
The Chalise people traditionally worship Aadho/Adi Masto[b] as their family deity (Kuldevata).[citation needed] The worship traditionally includes animal sacrifices of black and white goats or sheep.[6]
Notable people
- Chakrapani Chalise, Writer of the first national anthem of Nepal
- Janak Kumari Chalise, Nepalese politician
See also
- Masto culture (Doteli) – Indigenous western Nepalese folk religious tradition centered on Masto deities
- Animal sacrifices in Hinduism
- Saptarishi
- Vasishtha
- Shriman Gambhir
Notes
References
- ^ nepalfederalismdebate (2018-06-24). "Master list of ALL Nepali Surnames/Clans". Nepal Federalism Debate. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- ^ dgautamd (2018-08-27). "गोत्र र थर – List of Gotra and Thari" (in ne-NP). गौतम बंशावली. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ^ "List of Gotra and Thari". 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- ^ "Chalise - definition - Encyclo". www.encyclo.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- ^ "Chalise Surname Origin, Meaning & Last Name History". forebears.io. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- ^ Lamsal, Basanta (2024-07-23). "Masto Culture: The Ancestral Deity of Kshatriyas". www.nepalholiday.com. Retrieved 2026-05-17.