People group profile · PG049834
The Padarthis of India
The Padarthis of India, numbering about 16,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a distinct hereditary temple‑service community, historically associated with ritual chanting, recitation, and musical duties in Hindu temples—especially in coastal and southern Karnataka.
They are an indigenous people in the Other South Asian people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Tulu.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 16,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Other South Asian
- Primary language
- Tulu (tcy)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- No Known Evangelicals
- GSEC ?
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority ?
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts; Kerala: Kasargod district; scattered in other states
Where they live
Gospel status
The Padarthis are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Padarthis
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Gospel resources in Tulu
- Bible available, published 2010
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Padarthis
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
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