As per Hindu religious texts, Barhishwatha are group of pitrs or pitrukal. Barhishwathas are also mentioned in the Puranas. As per Vishnu Purana, Brahma created two groups of pitrus Barhishwathas and Agnishwathas.
As per Manusmriti (3.19), Barhishwathas are sons of Atri Maharishi. It is also stated in the Manusmriti that they are the pitrus or forefathers of Daityas, Danavas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Uragas, Rakshasas, Suvarnar and Kinnaras.
As per Mahabharata, Barhishwathas resides in the palace of Yama, the Hindu god of death, and they chant mantras and do penances for the dead living beings including humans.