Introduction / History

The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from 'Vaniji', which means 'trader' in Sanskrit. The Bania community has gotras (clans) such as Agarwal, Dasora, Dishawal, Kapol, Nagori, Vagada, Modh and Nagar. Many of these names are based on the names of the place they are from. The Agrawal, though they are settled mainly in North Gujarat, take their name from Agar Town. The Jharola live in eastern Gujarat and come from Jalor of Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Though most live in India, they also live in other South Asian countries including Nepal.The titles used by the Vania are Shah, Shroff, Parikkh, Chokshi, Seth and Gandhi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Business, trade, jewelry-making, and agriculture are the traditional occupations of the Banias. 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.The Bania community consists of two religious divisions, namely Vaishnava and Jain. 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 the Ekda live in villages and towns. They have an organization called the Mandal to look after the temples and the community's property.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are Hindu Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji. A section of them is from the Jain community. The Bania maintain intercommunity linkages with the Brahmin, Valand, Soni, and other communities through trade and service.

What Are Their Needs?

Bania’s need the spiritual discernment to know they need a sin-free Savior. They need the spiritual hunger to seek and find Christ so they will have the courage to stand up against adversity for his name.

Prayer Items

Ask the Holy Spirit to supernaturally reveal Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life to the Bania in Nepal.Ask God to open their eyes, hearts, and ears to the good news of the Savior.Pray for the Lord to raise up the right people to disciple the Banias in his ways.Pray for the Lord to demonstrate his power and goodness among them in a way they will understand.Ask for an intervention of the Holy Spirit in each of their families.

Scripture Prayers for the Bania unspecified in Nepal.

References

India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission.