Introduction / History
By tradition, the Gossain people have removed themselves from material pleasures. They live by collecting alms and looking after temples. They are what are called ascetics, fully devoted to the religious system of Hinduism.

Where are they located?
The vast majority of the Gosain people live throughout India, but a smaller number live either in Nepal or Bangladesh.

What are their lives like?
The Gosain people perform all kinds of duties and work all kinds of jobs. Gosain families usually arrange marriages. They have one spouse. Most marriages only involve adults. If the wife cannot have children, the husband is allowed to keep his wife while marrying again. The Gosain community allows for divorce in cases of adultery, cruelty and impotence. Divorcees and the bereaved are permitted to remarry. Gossain boys are educated, but the literacy level among girls is low. Sons inherit property, and the oldest son becomes leader of the family. Women are involved in social, religious and ritual matters.

Gosain people have organizations that are national, regional and local that oversee social, economic, religious, and educational needs. A traditional community council is elected in the villages. They determine matters of divorce and family. When found guilty, they fine the guilty or have them ostracized. Money from the fines is given to a Shiva temple or to pay for a feast for the local people.

What are their beliefs?
The Gosain are very religious Hindus. They worship the Hindu god Shiva.

What are their needs?
The Gosain people in Nepal need the humility to accept that they are sinners in need of a Savior, and that only Jesus Christ can fill that role.

Prayer Points
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Gosain people in Nepal teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Gosain families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Gosain families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness, and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Gosain family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.

References
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16862/IN
www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/gosain/