Gharti in Nepal

Gharti
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2025
Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Gharti
Country: Nepal
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 124,000
World Population: 148,000
Primary Language: Nepali
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 1.07 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Gharti (or Bhujel) are considered an offshoot of the Indian Chhetri, who, due to poverty, served royal families and nobles as bonded laborers, palanquin-bearers (an enclosed litter), and water carriers. They live in India and Nepal.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally, men were palanquin-bearers and women were water-carriers, but today, most labor on farms in today’s world. Vermilion and a bead necklace are the symbols of married women.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The services of a Brahmin are sought for performing birth, marriage, and death rituals. They worship deities such as Kali, Lakshmi, and Kanchyaga.

What Are Their Needs?

A number of Gharti have reported themselves as Christians to the census in India and Nepal. Please pray these Christians will become firmly grounded as believers, able to carry the gospel effectively to their entire community in Nepal and India.

Prayer Points

Please pray for the growth of Gharti Christians in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, as well as in numbers.Please pray that the Gharti people in Nepal and India will be given a growing desire to know the Creator God, the one who transcends his creation yet offers to be a friend of those who come to Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project