The Badhai are also known as the Vishwakarma. They are successors of Vishwakarma, the chief architect in Hindu culture. In ancient times Vishwakarma were described as saints involved in meditation for inner vision and performing scientific experiments for the betterment of others. They enjoyed the status of engineers and architects in Indian cities and towns. Ancient Indian art and culture, particularly building temples, and chariots were built by the Badhai, or Vishwakarma. They created various idols and images of Hindu gods and goddesses to be worshiped by all. The Badhai provided sketches or blueprints for builders in making Hindu temples. The Badhai live today in most areas of India. Their primary language is Hindi. Many also speak English and the local languages where they live.
Today the inherited craftsmanship and skills of the Badhai are less required than in ancient times. Thus they are losing a degree of status. Manual labor or farm work is not an option to a Badhai or Vishwakarma as they have high self-esteem. Most Badhai are still employed in the fields of engineering, education, small-scale industrial manufacturing, and doing engineering work for large industries. Some Badhai work in the areas of the building trades.
The Badhai worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain "moksha" or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Badhai 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Badhai people are 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. Dalits and tribal peoples are outside of the caste system.
The Badhai need to see themselves as sinners in need of a Savior. Their pride in their Hindu traditions can prevent them from coming to a true knowledge of God.
Ask the Lord to move among the Badhai so they will be open to hearing the good news. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Badhai to begin soon. Pray for the Lord to send out higher caste Indian believers to tell the Badhai about the Lord.
Scripture Prayers for the Badhai (Hindu traditions) in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-09-11 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-09-12 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-10-14 |
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 | 7,815,000 |
Population all Countries | 7,880,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 156 |
People ID | 16332 |
ROP3 Code | 111468 |
Country | India | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 28 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||||||||||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 28 (only 20 largest shown) |
Uttar Pradesh 2,934,000 | |
Maharashtra 1,099,000 | |
Bihar 1,087,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 803,000 | |
Gujarat 682,000 | |
Telangana 343,000 | |
Jharkhand 314,000 | |
Odisha 116,000 | |
Uttarakhand 84,000 | |
Tripura 78,000 | |
Karnataka 58,000 | |
West Bengal 31,000 | |
Goa 19,000 | |
Andhra Pradesh 14,000 | |
Chhattisgarh 11,000 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.12 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.01 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.87 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (3,334,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 52 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
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Primary Language | Hindi (3,334,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 52 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Bhojpuri 729,000 | |
Marathi 666,000 | |
Gujarati 546,000 | |
Telugu 299,000 | |
Awadhi 181,000 | |
Maithili 104,000 | |
Bengali 92,000 | |
Kanauji 92,000 | |
Odia 86,000 | |
Kannada 56,000 | |
Khandesi 40,000 | |
Konkani, Goan 39,000 | |
Magahi 38,000 | |
Konkani 37,000 | |
Bundeli 37,000 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1835-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |