Gandharva in Nepal
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Map Source:
People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Gandharva |
| Country: | Nepal |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 7,300 |
| World Population: | 7,300 |
| Primary Language: | Nepali |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 2.74 % |
| 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: |
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Introduction / History
The Gandharva moved from India to Nepal and lived to some degree in the middle hill regions from east to west of Nepal. They primarily reside in the Pokhara region, with a main concentration in Batulechaour.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Gandharva sing in motor vehicles to earn extra money. Singing is their traditional occupation but is now dying out and may come to an end.Most now work as laborers, and some have their own businesses. Many of the young work as taxi drivers, and some have food shops. They have improved financially and socially. The Gandharva are also called Gayak and Gaine, and these names mean singing.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Gandharva people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all term 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?
Gandharvas need the spiritual hunger it takes to overcome many obstacles that keep them away from the only Savior. They live in a Hindu culture where few follow Jesus. A mountainous land like Nepal provides difficulties for outsiders to come with the gospel.
Prayer Points
Pray for families of Gandharva believers, loving and serving others, to grow and reproduce churches.Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching out to other families, resulting in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.Pray for the expansion of grace and truth throughout the entire Gandharva society as all believers learn to love one another.Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God’s love will transform them, just as yeast changes dough.