Introduction / History

This vegetarian Hindu people group lives in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Different sources give different answers to what their traditional occupation was. Some say that they were once jugglers, and that those in rural areas made stone grinders. Another source says that they were traditionally basket-weavers. Today some work as carpenters, day laborers or as farmers along with their traditional occupations. There are those who have taken to begging for alms. The Badhi people are very poor.

The Badhis follow traditional Hindu practices when it comes to marriage. Families negotiate their marriages, and parents pay a dowry. After the Hindu marriage rituals are performed, the couple is officially married. Tragically, the Badhi people suffer a higher than average divorce rate, and either spouce can seek a divorce. If the wife opts for the divorce, then the bride price must be returned to the groom's family. Divorcees above 30 years of age are not permitted to re-marry.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Badhi people are Hindu, and they focus much of their worship on clan and village deities, especially their patron god, Kalimata.

Prayer Points

* Pray that the Badhi people will soon give their full allegiance to Jesus Christ, and forsake all other gods.
* Pray that God will do a miracle in Badhi marriages to demonstrate His loving-kindness for their families.