While researching the history of the Sopara region, a person named Vaidya claimed that Bhagwan Shri Parshuram constructed the Kokan land in Sopara. Additionally, they believed that the origin of Chitapavans can also be traced back to Sopara. The names of villages in the Sopara region and some Chittapavan surnames indicate that the priesthood of Chittapavans was prevalent in the northern Konkan region even before Peshwai.
- For example
- Kanheri (Caves) - Kanhere
- Gharapuri (Caves) - Gharapure
- Agashi (village) - Agashe
According to his further statements, Adi Shankaracharya had taken some Chitpavan clans from Vasai and brought them to the southern Kaveri coast for priesthood. I did not find this claim convincing. However, I came across an article on the Shri Shringeer Pitha website, which was about the appointment of a new archak (priest) at Rameshwaram. By this ,the appointment of Shravan Ranade as the archak was made by the Shri Shringeer Pitha. According to the Shri Shringeer Pitha, following the tradition established by Adi Shankaracharya, Maharashtrian Brahmins are appointed as priests for Ramanathaswamy and Parvatavardhini Devi.
Today, the Chitpavans of Rameshwaram have surnames such as Kunte, Barve, Ranade, and Vaidya. So far, there has been no contact with Tamil Chitpavans, but more information about their Kulachar, Gotra, and Ved-Shakha may be available in the future.