Religion in Nepal: How one witch doctor discovered Christ

Our encounter took place on a sunny day outside of Kathmandu, in a small village church. The room was open, and the afternoon light spilled in. There were chairs stacked in the corners, a faded red carpet adorning the floor, and pink and pale white walls. The windows, though lacking glass, were protected by iron bars on the outside.

Pulmaya, an elderly woman, greeted me with a bright smile that made her eyes sparkle with joy. She wore a black top, a pink skirt with a paisley pattern, and a red shawl, a testament to her colorful spirit. As we sat down to talk about the nuances of religion in Nepal, I couldn’t help but feel captivated by her presence. Pulmaya’s life was once filled with suffering and challenges. Due to lack of access to education, she never learned to read or write. She was also a former Hindu witch doctor, deeply entrenched in religious rituals.

What is the main religion in Nepal?

According to the U.S. Department of State, Nepal is home to approximately 31 million people. The majority of the population identifies as Hindu. Specifically, more than 81% of the populace identifies with the Hindu religion, according to a recent census. This equates to more than 25 million people—including Pulmaya and her relatives.

What are the minority religions of Nepal?

The largest minority religion in Nepal is Buddhism, with 8% of the population following this religious practice. Additionally, 5% of the Nepali people identify with Islam, while 3% are Kirats, an indigenous religion with Hindu roots. On record, less than 2% of Nepalis are Christians. Some scholars believe the Christian population may be as high as 3 to 5%, but due to persecution and discrimination, believers may be hesitant to report their true faith in an official government census.

Pulmaya rejects Hindu religion in Nepal

During our chat, Pulmaya shared how her Hindu witch doctor religious practice led her down a dark spiritual path. She described the spiritual warfare she endured. “I had to eat different food than my family because the spirits told me what I was allowed or not allowed to eat,” she confided, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. The demands of the spirits seemed to control every aspect of her life.

However, everything changed when Pulmaya’s young grandson started attending church and sharing the gospel with her by simply telling her what he learned—and reading passages out loud from the Bible. As Pulmaya began to explore religion in Nepal beyond her Hindu witch doctor roots, she shares, “I felt joy in my heart when my grandson read the New Testament to me.” After over a year of listening to her grandson, Pulmaya finally mustered the courage to attend church herself.

“The first day I went [to church], I felt like weeping a lot,” Pulmaya shared, her voice quivering with emotion. “I found what I’d been searching for when I heard the chorus and songs.” Thereafter, a group of pastors visited Pulmaya’s home to talk about religion in Nepal. They shared the gospel with her, explaining that she could have a personal and loving relationship with Jesus. At that moment, Pulmaya gave her life to Christ and was later baptized.

Pulmaya experiences Christian persecution in Nepal

With Pulmaya’s conversion to Christianity, her newfound faith came at a cost. Several Hindu relatives severed ties with her, and she faced rejection and persecution from her community. “They said that nobody would want me, and I was even threatened that I will be left alone. My parents and brothers abandoned me,” she revealed, her eyes welling up with tears.

Despite the rapid growth of Christianity in Nepal, believers in this majority-Hindu nation face intense persecution. Converts to Christianity are often seen as threats to the social order. They face rejection from their families, discrimination within their communities, and even criminal charges under Nepal’s harsh anti-conversion laws.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Pulmaya remained steadfast in her faith. How did she persevere through such a devastating loss? “The Lord gave me the strength,” she declared, her voice filled with conviction. “He is keeping me safe. I believe in Him. I will keep my faith in the Lord until my last breath. I live for Him, not for other people.”

About Illiteracy in Nepal

Experts currently estimate that 23% of adults in Nepal are illiterate. This figure includes our sister in Christ, Pulmaya. Like many believers in her home country, she can’t read God’s Word on her own. There are many contributing factors to the nation’s illiteracy rate. In the oral culture of Nepal, most people prefer to learn audibly, rather than by reading written information. Nepal is also home to hundreds of villages, many of which are geographically remote and difficult to reach. Poverty and lack of education are also causes for concern. Together, these factors contribute to many people simply following religion in Nepal based on the traditions of their parents and grandparents.

In Pulmaya’s case, as a new Christian convert, she desperately wanted to immerse herself in the Bible but her illiteracy presented a barrier to reading the Word. This is where the work of Global Christian Relief comes in. Alongside our partners on the ground, we supply solar-powered, hand-held audio Bibles to persecuted believers in their native language—making God’s Word accessible to all.

Persecuted Christians in Nepal need audio Bibles

When GCR partners provided Pulmaya with her own solar-powered audio Bible, her world changed. She now listens to it morning and night, finding comfort and strength to face trials. “I feel very happy,” she beamed, her smile radiating with joy. “I stay in the house and keep listening to it throughout the day. It makes me very joyful in hard times. I forget all the pain that comes my way, and I am encouraged.”

Before having her own audio Bible, Pulmaya had to rely on visits from her pastor or church members to hear Scripture. “I was hesitant to ask because I didn’t want to take people from their work,” she explained, her voice filled with gratitude. “After I got it, I would think of how I could listen to the audio Bible and answer my curiosity on my own. I knew all the answers were in the audio Bible, and it has blessed me. I can listen any time, and I don’t need someone to come to read to me.”

As I listened to Pulmaya’s story, I couldn’t help but be inspired by her unwavering faith and resilience. Her message to others facing persecution is one of hope and solidarity: “If you believe in Jesus, God will stand with you. God will fight with you. God will give you strength.” Pulmaya’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the vital importance of delivering Bibles to persecuted Christians in Nepal and beyond.

As I left the small village church that day, Pulmaya’s words echoed in my mind. “Those who could not read and write in our church can learn now,” she had shared, her face beaming. “We are very encouraged. Even though we cannot read and write, now we can listen to it, which gives us a lot of joy.”

In that moment, I realized that by providing audio Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Nepal, we are not only giving them access to God’s Word but also reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles. They are part of an eternal, unshakable family of faith, and through the power of Scripture, they can find the strength to endure and thrive, just like Pulmaya.

*Please note that Pulmaya’s name has been changed to ensure her safety and anonymity.

About the author

Brian is a staff writer for Global Christian Relief. As the chief storytelling officer, he travels to different countries across the globe where Christians are under attack for their faith. There, he meets with and prays for those experiencing persecution, encouraging them on their faith journey. He invites you to read the latest stories of Christian persecution on our website.