Gharti in Nepal

Gharti
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Gharti
Country: Nepal
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 136,000
World Population: 163,000
Primary Language: Nepali
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 1.07 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction

The Gharti, (or Bhujel) are considered an offshoot of the Indian Chettri who, due to poverty, served royal families and nobles as bonded laborers, palanquin-bearers (an enclosed litter), and water-carriers. Traditionally, the men were palanquin-bearers and the women water-carriers, but today most labor on farms. Vermilion and a bead necklace are the symbols of married women. The services of a Brahmin are sought for performing birth, marriage and death rituals. They worship deities such as Kali, Lakshmi and Kanchyaga.

Ministry Obstacles

Nepal does not provide a welcome to Christian missionaries.

Outreach Ideas

A number of Gharti have reported themselves as Christians to the census in India and Nepal. Please pray these Christians will become firmly grounded as believers, able to carry to carry the Gospel effectively to their entire community in Nepal and India.

Pray for the Followers of Christ

Please pray for Gharti Christians to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, as well as in numbers.

Pray for the Entire People Group

Please pray the Gharti people in Nepal and India will be given a growing desire to know the creator God, the one who transcends his creation yet offers to be a friend of those who will come to him through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project