Introduction / History

The Hindu Arain live in north central India. They claim Arab descent, and the name "Arain" means "shepherd" in Arabic.

This is a relatively small group with a population of about 276,000 compared to largest part of the Arain people group are Muslims who live in Pakistan and India. In times past, the Hindu Arain worked in agriculture near cities. Today many educated Arain work in business, law, politics and government. Because the Hindu Arain live in several different states in India, the Hindu Arain speak at least six different languages and read and write in three others. Their primary language is Hindi, which allows them to communicate with most north Indians and many Urdu speaking Pakistani. Hindi and Urdu are mutually intelligible.

Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Hindu Arain live in the Indian state of Haryana. Smaller groups reside in Delhi, Punjab and other areas of India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Hindu Arain discourage marriage outside their caste and community. They permit cousin marriages. While daughters may get some property when the father dies, they don't receive as much as the sons.

Village councils of the Arain are in place to promote their interests and settle disagreements.

The Arain are not vegetarians but as Hindus do not eat beef. The main foods are rice, wheat, millet, vegetables, dairy products and fruit. Raising sugarcane has become an important cash crop for Arain farmers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Arain practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works they will attain freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Hindu Arain are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. Currently there are no known Christians in this Arain people group.

What Are Their Needs?

The Hindu Arain need to hear the message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They must see that Jesus is not just another avatar of a Hindu god like Rama or Krishna but is the unique Son of the one true God of the Bible. The Arain must see Christianity lived out before them in practical ways.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts of the Arain Hindu and prepare them to hear the Gospel.
Pray that Indian Christians would reach out to their Arain neighbors.
Ask God to raise up people to pray faithfully for the Arain of India.

Scripture Prayers for the Arain (Hindu traditions) in India.

References

www.revolvy.com/page/Arain
www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Arain_people
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16951/IN