Brahmin Gaud Saraswat in India

Brahmin Gaud Saraswat
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Brahmin Gaud Saraswat
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 335,000
World Population: 335,000
Primary Language: Marathi
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 Forward Caste - Brahmin
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Saraswat Brahmins are Brahmins who lived on the banks of the former Saraswati River that once flowed in northern India. Saraswats are considered among the oldest and most widespread community in India, still preserving their own culture. Around 1900 BC, the river Saraswati started vanishing underground and the people on its banks started migrating to other parts of India thus forming sub-communities. One of their subgroups are the Gaud. The Gaud Saraswat Brahmin live in Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala. They speak Konkani and the languages of the Indian states they are living in. Originally they come from Goa and many have migrated to the other states.

What Are Their Lives Like?

These people are well-educated and many are wealthy. They work in finances, medical work, and engineering, and many are successful in other parts of the world. Some own restaurants. The Gaud Saraswat Brahmins are vegetarians but they do eat fish. They are a friendly people.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are high caste Hindus, which means that they have high status in India. For any of them to turn their back on the Hindu religious system would be considered an outrage.

What Are Their Needs?

The Gaud Saraswat Brahmins need the opportunity to embrace the only Savior.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will prepare a way for Christ followers who want to reach the Saraswat Brahmins to gain entry into their communities and be given the opportunity to introduce them to the sin-forgiving Savior. Pray for thousands to come together to learn the Word and teach it to others. Pray that as they learn to follow the Lord, the Saraswat Brahmans will be blessed with peace, joy and love in their families.

Text Source:   Keith Carey