Sanadhya Brahmin in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Sanadhya Brahmins are a community of Hindu priests and scholars who live in north and central India. They are the highest caste or varna in Hinduism and teachers and keepers of its sacred learning. The word Brahmin comes from the Sanskrit word for "Supreme Self". The large majority of Sanadhya Brahmins speak Hindi as their first language. They often speak other regional languages as well. Sanadhya Brahmins originated in north India. Many migrated south to central India due to Muslim persecution. Historically, some Sanadhya Brahmins were hermits of the forest or they served as heads of ashrams, religious retreat centers.


Where Are they Located?

Most Sanadhya Brahmins live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajastan and Maharashtra. Some are also found in other Indian states and the capital city of New Delhi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As Brahmins, the Sanadhya occupy the highest level in Indian society. They are the chief administrators of Hindu temples. They preside at important Hindu life ceremonies at births, marriages and deaths The Sanadhya are endogamous, that is they marry only within their own group or with other Brahmins. Sons inherit property with the oldest son gaining the parents' home and father's authority and titles.

The Sanadhya are strict vegetarians. Some will eat dairy products and eggs.

Modern Sanadhya maintain their ancient profession of priests and Hindu scholars. They also act as leaders in government, business, and education.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sanadhya Brahmin worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. As priests, they teach the doctrines of their faith to other Indian peoples. The three main gods of Hinduism are Brahma, the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva, the destroyer. Significant Hindu holidays include Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali the festival of lights and Navratri, the Nine Nights that celebrate the triumph of good over evil.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sanadhya need humility to be willing to listen to the claims of Jesus Christ. They need to see themselves are sinners in need of a Savior. They need to see that the traditions of Hinduism will not satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts.


Prayer Points

Pray the Holy Spirit opens the spiritual eyes of the Sanadhya Brahmins to see the true Light of the world, Jesus Christ.
Pray that Indian Christians and other believers would reach out and begin redemptive relationships with the Sanadhya Brahmins.
Pray that God will cause many Sanadhya Brahmins to be born again and become of a growing church movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Sanadhya in India.


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Brahmin Sanadhya
People Name in Country Brahmin Sanadhya
Natural Name Sanadhya Brahmin
Pronunciation san-HAH BRAH-min
Alternate Names Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Chaurasiya; Das Ghor Sanadhya; Sadeteen Ghor Sanadhya; Sanadh; Sanadhiya; Sanadva; Sanadva Brahman; Sanadva Brahmin; Shaiv Brahmins; ब्रामिन, सनाध्या
Population this Country 3,072,000
Population all Countries 3,074,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 61
PeopleID3 19975
ROP3 Code 115756
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 18
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
1,563,000
Madhya Pradesh
483,000
Rajasthan
417,000
Maharashtra
196,000
Karnataka
93,000
Uttarakhand
67,000
Gujarat
60,000
Odisha
52,000
Himachal Pradesh
40,000
Chhattisgarh
30,000
Punjab
28,000
Haryana
21,000
Delhi
19,000
Chandigarh
2,000
Telangana
1,000
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 18
  Uttar Pradesh 1,563,000
  Madhya Pradesh 483,000
  Rajasthan 417,000
  Maharashtra 196,000
  Karnataka 93,000
  Uttarakhand 67,000
  Gujarat 60,000
  Odisha 52,000
  Himachal Pradesh 40,000
  Chhattisgarh 30,000
  Punjab 28,000
  Haryana 21,000
  Delhi 19,000
  Chandigarh 2,000
  Telangana 1,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (2,079,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 37
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Marathi
155,000
Kannada
59,000
Dhundari
53,000
Wagdi
50,000
Gujarati
47,000
Kanauji
34,000
Odia
29,000
Braj Bhasha
29,000
Konkani
25,000
Bundeli
19,000
Marwari (India)
18,000
Garhwali
16,000
Bhojpuri
16,000
Punjabi, Eastern
15,000
Shekhawati
13,000
Primary Language Hindi (2,079,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 37
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Marathi 155,000
  Kannada 59,000
  Dhundari 53,000
  Wagdi 50,000
  Gujarati 47,000
  Kanauji 34,000
  Odia 29,000
  Braj Bhasha 29,000
  Konkani 25,000
  Bundeli 19,000
  Marwari (India) 18,000
  Garhwali 16,000
  Bhojpuri 16,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 15,000
  Shekhawati 13,000
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
Photo Source Paolo Crosetto - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024