Jangam (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The Jangams are an order of wandering Hindu monks, devoted to the god Shiva.

Where Are they Located?

They live in northern India, especially Uttar Pradesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

As ascetics, the Jangam people live simple lives. Many of them live off the alms. They function as priests for Hindus who worship Shiva. They have developed their own meditation technique called Jangama Dhyana. They have also developed the dance form called Jangam Veeragase, which is vigorously performed at Hindu shrines in South India. This dance is accompanied by a narrated story of Veerabhadra, who is an avatar of Shiva.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jangam people are Hindus who are especially devoted to Shiva. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to Shiva in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with Shiva like Christians or Jews do with the God of all mankind.

What Are Their Needs?

The Jangam people need to make their lives count for the good of their neighbors. They need to point the way to Jesus Christ, the blesser of all who call on His name. They need open spiritual hearts that will accept that they cannot attain spiritual merit on their own, but they must instead surrender to the One True God and allow His goodness to flow through them.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Jangam people teachable and spiritually understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Jangam families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Jangam families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness, and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Jangam family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.

Text Source:   Keith Carey