Aghori in India

Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Aghori
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 82,000
World Population: 82,000
Primary Language: Hindi
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

We know very little about the history of the Aghori people.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The main source of subsistence for the Aghori has been begging and consuming leftovers from feasts or hotels. Some are rickshaw-pullers or laborers. However, today there are some in government and private service. Social control is maintained by a headman (mukhia). The priest (sardar-naya) and the treasurer (bhandari) are the other officials. Unless the council's decisions are obeyed, the offender is usually excommunicated.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They worship family deities (gosai) such as Bhairals, Bishahar, and Panchunath.

What Are Their Needs?

Some of the people in this community speak a language (Hindi, Maithili) that has many Christian resources available. Scripture and the JESUS Film are available in these languages, as examples. Workers are needed to carry these resources to the people.

Prayer Points

Pray for them to understand and respond to Christ.
Pray God will have mercy on the Aghori, doing whatever it takes to place them in a position to receive him.
Ask God to open the hearts of the Aghori to the gospel leading entire families to the foot of the cross and the empty grave.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Text Source:   Joshua Project