Bhanot is a subcaste of Punjabi Saraswat Brahmins in North India. Bhanots in ancient Punjab, ruled the region of present Bathinda for decades and had close knits with the Bhatti and Mohyal rulers of that time.
Bhanot clan is member of Vatsa gotra (clan), which is found in Bhrigu section of gotras with the pravar rishis ( rishis to whom a person belonging to a gotra traces back his lineage to )Chyavan , Apnuvan, Aurav , Richik, Jamdagni( Father of Parshuram)with mool Rishi being Bhrigu . These Brahmins are known to be martial Brahmins who possess martial traits along with typical brahminical traits somewhat like Bhargav Parshuram who is said to be Brahmkshatriya ( Brahmin as well as Kshatriya)
Some people of Rajput community also use the surname most of whom considered themselves an offshoot of Bhanot Brahmin lineage.
Bhanot are a part of Asthwan/Athawan sub group of Punjabi Brahmins which includes Joshi, Kural, Pathak, Bhardwaj, Sannd, Shourie and Bhanot.Bhanot surname should not be confused with Banotra , Bhanotra, Bhangotra who are Brahmins from Jammu ( like gubgotra, mangotra, gangotra,Bamotra,Pangotra,Pasotra)having their mool Rishi , Brahmarishi Vashisht .
Notable persons
Notable people with the surname include:
- Neerja Bhanot (1963–1986), Indian purser
- Shaleen Bhanot (born 1983), Indian actor
- Tarun Bhanot (born 1971), Indian politician