Badhai (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Badhai of India, Nepal and Pakistan are also known as the Vishwakarma. In ancient times they were described as various rishis or saints involved in meditation in jungles for inner vision and performing scientific experiments for the betterment of others. In the recent past, ancient Indian art and culture, particularly buildings, temples, and chariots were part of their wisdom and knowledge. Deep inner vision and talent gave them the ability to create various idols and images of Hindu gods and goddesses to be worshiped by all.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many in the Badhai community are also Hijras. This is a group of castrated males who pose as female, commonly called trans. They sing and perform, often at weddings. The trans communities are not well accepted in the conservative Muslim country of Pakistan.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are traditional Hindus and follow the ancient way. 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hindu Badhai are a proud people. Pride is a strong barrier to humble acceptance of God's gifts, including the gift of salvation.


Prayer Points

There are almost certainly no followers of Jesus among the Hindu Badhai in Pakistan today. Pray the Lord will begin stirring the hearts of these people to find a savior for their sin.
Please pray these proud people will be given the gift of humility and the gift of faith, such that they will be able to receive the gift of eternal life available through trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among these Hindus that will bless their communities abundantly.
Pray the Badhai community will listen with understanding Sindhi language gospel materials.


Scripture Prayers for the Badhai (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://www.pakistanstudies-aips.org/sites/default/files/Pamment%20abstract.pdf#:~:text=Badhai%2C%20the%20repertoire%20of%20devotional%20prayers%2C%20songs%2C%20dances%2C,been%20recognised%20as%20vital%20to%20these%20communities%E2%80%99%20identities.PRGR


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Badhai (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Badhai (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation buh-DIE
Alternate Names Acharia; Badai; Badhai; Badhi; Badigar; Barai; Bariji; Barji; Bimra; Chari; Dhawal; Kalsi; Kundar; Kundera; Matharu; Mistry; Orh; Pansari; Pirahi; Pirhai; Saggu; Sheikh; Shilpakar; Shilpkar; Sutar; Suthar; Tarkhan; Thakur; Tudolia; Vishwakarma; Wadi; बधाई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 28,000
Population all Countries 7,515,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16332
ROP3 Code 111468
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Sindh
27,000
Balochistan
400
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 2
  Sindh 27,000
  Balochistan 400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.06 %)
0.06 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.94 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (19,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
5,700
Kacchi
1,200
Punjabi, Western
400
Urdu
400
Saraiki
200
Primary Language Sindhi (19,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 5,700
  Kacchi 1,200
  Punjabi, Western 400
  Urdu 400
  Saraiki 200
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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