Poundra in India

Poundra
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Poundra
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 3,368,000
World Population: 3,399,000
Primary Language: Bengali
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.36 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Dalit - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

West Bengal is the home of almost three million Hindu Pod people. They prefer to be called Poundra. Their name means lotus. Their community is divided into a number of clans. They are Bengali speakers who live primarily in India. A smaller number live in Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The majority live by farming small tracts of land. Some of them own their own land. The landless among them work in other occupations such as fishing, carpentry and bamboo work. Education has become important to them, and they work hard so their children can attend school.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pod people practice Hinduism, which has affected religious beliefs throughout South Asia, even in Muslim countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions, 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?

The Pod people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.

Prayer Points

Pray that believers from low class communities will help the Pods in India and Bangladesh to begin their own movement to Christ. Pray that Christian literature will be provided as their literacy is increasing. May Pod extended families soon experience and embrace God's gift of salvation. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead the Pod community to seek and find Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project