The Kotia or Benatho Oriya are a Scheduled Tribe of India. That means that they have status as tribals. They were originally from Odisha and went to live in Andhra Pradesh in the nineteenth century. They speak Oriya and Telugu.

The Benatho Oriya work in agriculture and as laborers. The community council judges in disputes. They are endogamous (they avoid marrying outside their group) and are mostly monogamous. The bereaved and divorcees can marry again. On the death of the father, property goes to the sons with the oldest son getting the largest amount of it and becoming the new head of their family.

They are Hindus by religion.

The Benatho Oriya people need to experience the abundant life that only Jesus Christ offers.

* Scripture Prayers for the Dulia in India.

Pray that God will give them dreams and visions leading entire clans to putting their undivided faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that gospel materials and the internet websites will help them to begin their own church planting movement.