Badhi (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

This Hindu Badhi people lives in North Central India and in Nepal. There is a difference of opinion as to what their original occupation was. Some say basket weavers, stone masons or entertainers.

The main language of the Badhi is Hindi. Many Christian resources are available in Hindi including a complete Bible, radio programs and the JESUS Film.

There are few if any believers among the Badhi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today some Badhi work as construction workers, day laborers or as farmers. Unfortunately, some have taken to begging for alms. Most Badhi people are poor. Children often quit school after a few years to help their parents make a living. Many Badhi are unable to read and write. Life expectancy is low while child mortality is high. Many rural Badhi lack access to modern medicine, electricity and clean water.

Badhi marry within their group. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit their father's property and take care of elderly relatives. Village elders make judicial decisions and deal with outsiders.

The Badhi follow traditional Hindu practices when it comes to marriage. Families negotiate their marriages, and parents pay a dowry. After the Hindu marriage rituals, the couple is officially married. Tragically, the Badhi people suffer a higher than average divorce rate. Either spouse can seek a divorce. If the wife opts for the divorce, then the bride price must be returned to the groom's family. Badhi couples tend to have a large number of children. Due to the lack of access to modern medicine, many children die of preventable diseases before their 10th birthday.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Badhi people are Hindu. They focus much of their worship on clan and village deities, especially their patron god, Kalimata. Hinduism is 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 as Christians do. 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.

What Are Their Needs?

The Badhi people need to put their trust in the loving God of creation. Jesus Christ is much more than another Hindu guru or god. God the Father sent his son to make it possible for them to have their sins forgiven so they can have eternal life to the full.

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 send Holy Spirit driven workers to the Badhi.

Pray that Badhi parents to be able to provide for their children.

Pray for God to raise up a growing church among the Badhi of India and Nepal this decade.

Text Source:   Joshua Project