Bania Mahawar in India

Introduction / History

The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from 'Vaniji', which means 'trader' in Sanskrit. The titles used by the Bania are Shah, Shroff, Parikkh, Chokshi, Seth and Gandhi. The Bania community has gotras (clans) such as Agarwal, Dasora, Dishawal, Kapol, Nagori, Vagada, Modh, Nagar, and Maharwar. Many of these names are based on the names of the place they are from.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the groups of Bania are split into Visha meaning twenty and Dasha or ten. These subdivisions are further divided into Ekda and Bagda. The Bagda mostly live in villages, while Ekda live in villages and towns. They have an organization called the Mandal to look after the temples and the community's property.

Business, trade, jewelry-making and agriculture are the traditional occupations of the Mahawar Bania. Floor painting and folk songs represent the Bania's art and culture. The naming of the newborn ritual is performed by a Jangam priest by putting a thread around the infant's neck.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mahawar Bania are Hindu by religion. They are Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji. A section of them are from the Jain community. The Bania maintain intercommunity linkages with the Brahmin, Valand, Soni and other communities through trade and service. The Bania in the state of Maharashtra are mostly followers of the Lingayat religion. Some are Jains.

What Are Their Needs?

Pray for a Holy Spirit breakthrough that will open their hearts to receiving the abundant blessings of Jesus Christ.

For the salvation of the Mahawar Bania people and that God may send several Christian workers among them and meet their spiritual and physical needs.

Pray that soon there will be Mahawar Bania’s discipling others in the ways of Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project