Introduction / History

The Lodha are an agricultural community. Some claim their descent from Lav, the son of Lord Rama. Most of them live in central India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Besides cultivation, they raise cattle, work as agricultural laborers and make ropes. In some areas, the girls are tattooed at an early age on the chin and forehand. The Lodha are moderately educated.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lodha people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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?

Nominal Christianity may have caused these people to have a misunderstanding as to what it means to follow Christ. Pray for workers to take the gospel message to these people in both oral and written form.

Prayer Items

Pray for the few followers of Christ among the Lodha community, that they will be united in love around truth, growing in numbers and in maturity. Pray they will put on the full armor of God, including the shield of faith.

Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Lodha families and clans into a rich experience of God's blessings.

Pray they will be able to provide well for their families, with adequate food, shelter, and opportunities for schooling for their children.

Scripture Prayers for the Lodha (Hindu traditions) in India.