Introduction / History
The Garoda are strictly vegetarian, and their staple cereals are wheat and bajra. They have territorial subgroups, which are also marriage circles and marriages are to occur only within these marriage circles. Common surnames include Srimali, Sharma, Gandhi, Pandiya, Srigaur, Purani, etc.

What are their lives like?
Their women mainly do household work. The earlier practice of child marriage has been replaced by adult marriage. Traditionally, the Garoda are priests to the Vankar, Chamar, Khalpa, Nadia, Turi, Tirgar, and Shenva communities, who also engage them as astrologers. Each of the Garoda gotras (clans) is associated with a specific deity.

What are their beliefs?
The Garoda people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of South Asia. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase 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?
Lack of Christian workers who are well prepared for the task is usually a hindrance as the gospel goes forth in the world. The Garoda have a fairly high literacy rate. Printed presentations of the gospel will be useful, as well as oral presentations.

Prayer Points
Please pray the Lord will soon send loving workers to tell the Garoda people about Jesus Christ.
Please pray the Garoda community will soon be completely set free from the influence of evil spiritual forces.
Pray for a movement to Christ that will bless the entire Garoda community in Pakistan.