Vellalan in Sri Lanka


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Vellala or Vellalar live in India and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka they are one of the Tamil speaking communityies. They migrated from Tamil Nadu, India to Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Vellalan are landlords and work in agriculture. They work in agriculture in rural regions and in business in urban ones.
They are endogamous, meaning they prefer marriage with a member of their group. They favor cross-cousin marriages. Marriages are arranged at the home of the bridegroom. Widowers can marry again but not widows and divorcees. Weddings take place at the home of the bride.
The oldest son takes charge of the family estate when the patriarch dies.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of Vellalan are Hindus. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Many follow a branch of Hinduism called Saiva Siddhantam. In this Hindu order adherents desire to be enlightened by Lord Shiva or Siva, one of the three main gods of Hinduism. Some Vellalan join monasteries and propagate the teachings of Shiva.


What Are Their Needs?

Though the Vellalan people are doing well financially, they suffer spiritually. Few if any have a relationship with the only one who can provide them with abundant life.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will give the Vellalan dreams and visions bringing them to salvation.
Pray that gospel materials will become easily available and widely used.
Pray for loving and committed gospel workers to go to them.


Scripture Prayers for the Vellalan in Sri Lanka.


References

Singh, K. S., ed. “India's Communities A-Z”, Oxford University Press, USA 1999


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Vellalan
People Name in Country Vellalan
Alternate Names Agamudiya; Agamudiyar; Aiyer; Annachi; Ayyangar; Bhuvaisya; Erudanti; Gangeddulu; Gangireddulavandlu; Gangiredlavaru; Isai Vellalar; Iyengar; Iyer; Karalan; Karganta; Karkatha; Karlatja Vellalar; Kattai; Kerrakarar; Kodikalarar; Kongadi; Kongu Vellala Gounder; Kongu Vellalar; Melakkaran; Mudali; Mudaliar; Mudaliyar; Mudaliyar Naicker; Mudliar; Nandiwale; Nanijil Mudali; Nanjanattu Pillai; Natt; Nokkar; Perumal Erudukkaran; Perumal Madukkaran; Perumal Mattukkaran; Pillai; Pille; Puja Gollalu; Puluvan; Punu Gollalu; Saya Pillaimar; Sozhia Vellalar; Telangalu; Tuluva; Vatrilaikaran; Vellala; Vellalar; Vipravinodulu; Virakodi Vellalar; वेल्लालन
Population this Country 31,000
Population all Countries 2,064,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18317
ROP3 Code 113864
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Central
17,000
Sabaragamuwa
4,300
Uva
4,000
Western
2,100
Eastern
2,000
Southern
600
Northern
600
North Western
300
North Central
60
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Central 17,000
  Sabaragamuwa 4,300
  Uva 4,000
  Western 2,100
  Eastern 2,000
  Southern 600
  Northern 600
  North Western 300
  North Central 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
12.47 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
87.53 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Malayalam
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Malayalam
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Tamil Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Tamil Bible (தமிழ் பைபிள்) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Tamil Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Tamil Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Tamil Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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