Introduction / History

The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from 'Vaniji', which means 'trader' in Sanskrit. The Vania community has gotras (clans) such as Agarwal, Dasora, Dishawal, Kapol, Nagori, Vagada, Modh and Nagar.

Many of these names are based on the names of the place they are from. The Agrawal, though they are settled mainly in North Gujarat, take their name from Agar Town. The Jharola live in eastern Gujarat and come from Jalor of Rajashthan and Maharashtra. The titles used by the Bania are Shah, Shroff, Parikkh, Chokshi, Seth and Gandhi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bania community consists of two religious divisions, namely Vaishnava and Jain. Most of the groups of Bania are split into Visha meaning twenty and Dasha or ten. These subdivisions are further divided into Ekda and Bagda. The Bagda mostly live in villages, while Ekda live in villages and towns. They have an organization called the Mandal to look after the temples and the community's property.

Business, trade, jewelry-making and agriculture are the traditional occupations of the Bania. Floor painting and folk songs represent the Vania's art and culture. The naming of the newborn ritual is performed by a Jangam priest by putting a thread around the infant's neck.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bania are Hindu by religion. They are Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji. A section of them are from the Jain community. The Bania maintain intercommunity linkages with the Brahmin, Valand, Soni and other communities through trade and service. The Bania in the state of Maharashtra are mostly followers of the Lingayat religion.

What Are Their Needs?

The Banias need a spiritual craving for truth that will lead them to Jesus no matter what the cost.

Prayer Points

For the salvation of the Banias and that God may send several Christian workers among them and meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray for Bania elders and family leaders to find their way to the cross and share the savior with others.
Pray for loving and bold workers to go to the Banias in Bangladesh.

Scripture Prayers for the Bania unspecified in Bangladesh.

References

India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted Used with permission.