Dasnami Gosain in India

The Dasnami Gosain have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Dasnami Gosain were traditionally a group of wandering, begging mendicants living a life devoted to Hindi god Shiva. Many today do not follow this ascetic lifestyle and work jobs in north and central India. The largest population lives in Uttar Pradesh. The primary language of the Dasnami Gosain is Hindi. They also speak regional languages of India. Many resources are available in Hindi including a complete Bible, the JESUS Film and radio programs. Many Gosain men are college educated and speak English.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Gosain men still follow their ancient life of begging, praying and teaching the Hindu sacred writings. They are celibate and strict vegetarians. Many more Gosain own land and work in agriculture and in the dairy industry. Gosain men have occupations in government, education and the professions. Wives are encouraged to stay home and care for their children. Men generally have higher status than women in this people. A man may marry another wife if his first wife is infertile. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. The Dasnami marry within their group or sometimes in the larger Gosain people. Some Gosain are strict vegetarians while other eat meat except for beef. Caste associations enforce cultural norms. A Gosain person who violates their rules is fined or shunned. A Gosain who becomes a believer could face being ostracized by family and neighbors.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Dasnami Gosain consider themselves to be devoted Hindus. They pay special reverence to Shiva, the destroyer god of the Hindu trinity. The Dasnami also worship and serve other 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 Gosain visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hope of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Gosain 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Dasnami need to understand that their devotion to Shiva will not lead to forgiveness of sin or eternal life. Only Jesus can do those things. Dasnami women could benefit from literacy training so they can read the Hindi Bible for themselves.


Prayer Points

Pray that Gosain people will see that their old systems of ethics and religion are not working, and that their only hope is in Jesus Christ. Pray that intercessors worldwide will regularly pray for salvation of Dasnami Gosain people. Pray for Spirit-filled servants to disciple them, and plant churches among them. Ask God to raise up entire Gosain families and communities until their culture is transformed to fully glorify God and represent His Kingdom here on earth.


Scripture Prayers for the Gosain Dasnami in India.


References

https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/gosain/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossain 


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Gosain Dasnami
People Name in Country Gosain Dasnami
Natural Name Dasnami Gosain
Alternate Names Gharhari
Population this Country 480,000
Population all Countries 480,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
People ID 21721
ROP3 Code 118508
ROP25 Code 302777
ROP25 Name Gosain
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 9
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
345,000
Madhya Pradesh
44,000
Uttarakhand
30,000
Chhattisgarh
18,000
Bihar
18,000
Jharkhand
15,000
West Bengal
9,600
Haryana
600
Delhi
500
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 9
  Uttar Pradesh 345,000
  Madhya Pradesh 44,000
  Uttarakhand 30,000
  Chhattisgarh 18,000
  Bihar 18,000
  Jharkhand 15,000
  West Bengal 9,600
  Haryana 600
  Delhi 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 (290,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
34,000
Awadhi
27,000
Kumaoni
16,000
Chhattisgarhi
9,600
Kanauji
8,000
Bengali
6,900
Panchpargania
4,400
Malvi
3,000
Garhwali
2,100
Maithili
1,200
Magahi
1,100
Bundeli
800
Braj Bhasha
300
Angika
100
Primary Language Hindi (290,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 34,000
  Awadhi 27,000
  Kumaoni 16,000
  Chhattisgarhi 9,600
  Kanauji 8,000
  Bengali 6,900
  Panchpargania 4,400
  Malvi 3,000
  Garhwali 2,100
  Maithili 1,200
  Magahi 1,100
  Bundeli 800
  Braj Bhasha 300
  Angika 100
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  (1818-2022)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children 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 for Children Bible for Children
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 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Hari Mahidhar - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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