Paudel

Paudel (Nepali: पौडेल, pouḍel) is a surname among the Brahmin families in Nepal, alternative spellings of which include Poudel, Powdel, Paudyal, and Poudyal.^[1] Poudel Brahmins are traditionally regarded as among the purest forms of Brahmins. These Brahmins are identified under different regional classifications across South Asia. In Nepal, they are known as Upadhyaya; in Karnataka, India, as Smarta and Madhwa; in Tamil Nadu, as Vaidika; and in Kerala, as Namboothiri.^[2]

Paudel
पौडेल

Language(s)	Nepali
Origin
Word/name	Nepal
Meaning	people living in पौड़ी (Hills, mountain)
Other names
Variant form(s)	Paudel, Poudel, Paudyal, Poudyal

The purest form is determined by what is considered the twenty-four inborn qualities of a Brahmin: control of the mind and senses, austerity, purity, contentment, peace, straightforwardness, non‑violent sacrifice, absence of jealousy, friendship, truthfulness, courage, compassion, righteousness, lack of envy, charity, devotion to Hari (although the Poudel community specifically venerates the Eight Vasus) "Vasu". The principal deities of the Poudel community are the Eight Vasus, and they adhere to traditions centered on their veneration. They regard the Eight Vasus as the highest divine form in their spiritual practice "Prakran 5/2.".

There are 2 types of Poudel some are called "Kalo Paudel" and some are called "Seto Paudel". They are of Atreya (आत्रेय) gotra and have three pravaras (त्रिप्रवर) which are (आत्रेय, अर्चनाना, श्यावश्व).

Notable people bearing the surname include:

• Ram Chandra Poudel, president of Nepal since 2023
• Modanath Paudel popularly known as Modanath Prasrit, Nepali writer, politician and Political Activist
• Bal Chandra Poudel (born 1961), politician of Nepali Congress
• Ananta Prasad Paudel (born 1962), Member of the Second Nepalese Constituent Assembly
• Lekhnath Paudyal (1885–1966), poet (author of "A Parrot in a Cage")
• Prakash Sharma Poudel, Member of Second Nepalese Constituent Assembly
• Purusottam Poudel, Nepalese politician and government minister
• Ranga Nath Poudyal, first Brahmin Prime Minister of Nepal in 1838
• Shivahari Poudel, Nepalese actor from Jire Khursani
• Usha Poudel, Nepalese dancer and actress
• Rohit Kumar Poudel, Nepalese cricketer, the youngest cricketer to hit an international half century and the captain of Nepal national Cricket Team
• Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Nepalese politician, vice-chairman of Communist Party of Nepal