Introduction / History

The Kaparia were traditionally beggers who begged for alms while dressed as pious sadhus. Their name came from the Hindi word for cloth which is kapra. They were associated with cloth because some of them sold old clothes.

Where Are they Located?

Most of these peope either live in Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh, two of India's most unreached states.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are now efforts to get the Kaparia people to get away from begging, though some of them still beg, usually in train stations. Some of them are now cultivate the land or tend cattle. A very high percentage of them are rural.

The Kaparia people have all the signs of poverty and the trappings that keep them poor. They do not like to have their girls get an education, and their boys usually drop out of school for economic reasons. They have little interest in saving money, though they do not get economically trapped by moneylenders.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are entirely Hindu and they worship many gods and goddesses. Like many Hindu communities, they depend on Brahmin priests to officiate their weddings. Because they live in the most unreached states of India, the Kaparia people are at a grave disadvantage when it comes to having a chance to hear the gospel. However, they speak Hindi, a widely spoken language that has just about all Christian resources including the Bible and the JESUS Film.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kaparia people need someone to help them move above their dire economic plight. They need to learn modern skills to help them rise above begging and working as common farm workers.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Kaparia people will soon have a hunger for truth and righteousness that will lead them to Christ.
Pray for someone to distribute Christian materials in Hindi among them.
Pray for believers with marketable skills to teach the Kaparia people so that they can be raised up economically.

Scripture Prayers for the Kapariya in India.