The Kandera are a mostly Hindu community in Rajasthan State in India.

They are a landless community and live by cotton ginning and making quilts and pillows. The community is historically associated with the occupation of cotton ginning. In the local language, Rajasthani, the word "kani" means cotton, and a "kandera" means someone who works with cotton.Like many groups in Rajasthan, they claim Rajput ancestry. According to their traditions, their ancestor, Kanakpal Singh, had a falling out with Alaudin Khilji, the Muslim ruler of North India. He was defeated by the Sultan. Many members of his clan accepted Islam and took up the occupation of cotton ginning. Their native dialect is Braj Bhasa. The community are divided into 36 clans, and they practice clan exogamy, meaning they only marry outside their clan. There is no intermarriage between Muslim and Hindu groups.

The Kandera people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama’s birthday.

The Kandera people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.

Pray that the Kandera people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among them to begin this decade.

Scripture Prayers for the Kandera in India.