People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Marathi of North America


People Group Info

Total Population: 47,800

ROP3 Code: 106317
IMB Affinity Group: South Asian Peoples
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
People Cluster: Marathi-Konkani
Language: Marathi - (mar)
Religion: Hinduism
Country of Origin: India

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project.
By A Daniel

Majority Located Where

  Toronto (Mississauga, Brampton), ON - 4,465

  Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL - 3,500

  Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA - 2,900

  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA - 2,700

  Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX - 2,600

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

Learn More

Brief Profile

Marathi people form an ethno-linguistic people group that is distinct from others in terms of its language, history, cultural and religious practices, social structure, literature and art. They are one of the largest language group of all Indian people groups. The Marathi emigrated from the centrally located state of Maharashtra in India.

Most Marathi immigrants work as doctors, engineers or scientists. Others work in telecommunications and the IT industry.

Marathi people are predominately Hindu and due to the size of their language group often have their own Mandal (Hindu Temple). Marathi are spread throughout many metro areas (click here to learn more). Although the majority are Hindu, a small number are Marathi speaking Jews.

Prayer Points

  • Pray for God to burden the church for the Marathi.
  • Pray for God to open the hearts and minds of the Marathi.
  • Pray for the church to reach out to the Marathi.
  • Pray that the Marathi would have the desire to learn about Christianity.


People Group Resources

Hindu Gospel Storying Set
Back translation of the Bible studies developed for those with a Hindi-speaking and Hindu worldview.


Learning Resources

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Hinduism Beliefs
A belief bulletin by North American Mission Board on Hinduism.


Other Resources

Foundations for Teaching the Bible
Scripture lessons to help new believers from Hindu backgrounds examine their worldview.

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Online Talking Bible - Marathi
The purpose of Talking Bibles is to give non-readers and the blind access to the Bible in their native language.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Displaying 1-9 of 9 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
CanadaBramptonToronto (Mississauga, Brampton)ON4,465
United StatesJefferson City Jefferson CityMO10
United StatesFort WorthDallas-Fort Worth-ArlingtonTX2,600
United StatesDetroitDetroit-Warren-DearbornMI1,785
United StatesAddisonChicago-Naperville-ElginIL3,500
United StatesPhiladelphiaPhiladelphia-Camden-WilmingtonPA2,900
United StatesAtlantaAtlanta-Sandy Springs-RoswellGA2,700
United StatesHoustonHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar LandTX2,600
United StatesBirminghamBirmingham-HooverAL200