Introduction / History

The Hindu Gauda people live primarily in in the Indian state of Odisha. Their languages are Odiya and Hindi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Gauda cultivate land that they own. Their main occupations are agricultural work and cattle herding. Educated Gauda are employed in professions like medicine, law, engineering, computer science, and politics.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gauda people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

What Are Their Needs?

When the Gauda become believers, they may be shunned by their Hindu families. This may result in a loss of income and social contacts.

Bibles, literature and radio programs exist in Oriya. Hindu background believers can share with the Gauda the blessings of knowing Christ and having one's sins forgiven.

Prayer Points

Pray that the tiny number of Gauda believers will be trained in the ways of the Lord.

Pray they reach out to their brothers and sisters with the gospel.

Pray for the Lord to bless the Gauda people physically and spiritually.

Pray that Gauda leaders will love Jesus Christ and lead the other Gauda to live in ways that please him.

Scripture Prayers for the Gauda in India.