Badhai (Hindu traditions) 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 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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system.


What Are Their Needs?

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.


Prayer Points

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  

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 7,799,000
Population all Countries 7,864,000
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
ROP25 Code 300655
ROP25 Name Badhai / Barhai
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)
Uttar Pradesh
2,975,000
Maharashtra
1,107,000
Bihar
1,098,000
Madhya Pradesh
817,000
Gujarat
688,000
Telangana
346,000
Jharkhand
331,000
Odisha
116,000
Uttarakhand
85,000
Tripura
79,000
Karnataka
58,000
West Bengal
32,000
Goa
19,000
Andhra Pradesh
14,000
Chhattisgarh
11,000
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 2,975,000
  Maharashtra 1,107,000
  Bihar 1,098,000
  Madhya Pradesh 817,000
  Gujarat 688,000
  Telangana 346,000
  Jharkhand 331,000
  Odisha 116,000
  Uttarakhand 85,000
  Tripura 79,000
  Karnataka 58,000
  West Bengal 32,000
  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
99.88 %
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 (3,354,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 53
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
747,000
Marathi
666,000
Gujarati
546,000
Telugu
299,000
Awadhi
182,000
Maithili
103,000
Bengali
93,000
Kanauji
92,000
Odia
86,000
Kannada
56,000
Khandesi
40,000
Bundeli
39,000
Konkani, Goan
39,000
Magahi
39,000
Konkani
37,000
Primary Language Hindi (3,354,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 53
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 747,000
  Marathi 666,000
  Gujarati 546,000
  Telugu 299,000
  Awadhi 182,000
  Maithili 103,000
  Bengali 93,000
  Kanauji 92,000
  Odia 86,000
  Kannada 56,000
  Khandesi 40,000
  Bundeli 39,000
  Konkani, Goan 39,000
  Magahi 39,000
  Konkani 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  (1818-2022)
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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.



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