Bharathar (Hindu traditions) in India


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 Bharatha people live mainly along the western coast of India. Historically, they were known as warriors and seafaring people. They developed a strong connection to the sea through occupations such as pearl diving, fishing, and maritime activity. Their heritage reflects a long coastal tradition shaped by trade, fishing culture, and regional Hindu society. The Bharatha are associated with the Tamil language and the cultural life of South India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, the Bharatha people continue to be known for occupations connected to the sea, especially fishing and, in some places, pearl diving. Family and community life are closely tied to coastal rhythms, seasonal work, and local social networks. Seafood commonly forms an important part of daily life in coastal communities, and livelihoods often depend on marine resources and related economic activities.

Their lives are strongly influenced by the religious and cultural patterns of Hindu society, which shape family customs, festivals, social identity, and community practices. Daily life may revolve around work, household responsibilities, local traditions, and religious observances that are woven into many aspects of personal and communal life.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bharatha people practice Hinduism. Their religious life reflects the diverse and layered traditions found within Hindu belief and practice in South Asia. Worship may include devotion to deities of the Hindu pantheon, participation in temple rituals, and the offering of prayers, food, flowers, incense, and vows in hope of receiving protection, blessing, or favor.

Their beliefs are shaped by Hindu traditions that may combine temple worship, local customs, family observances, and regional religious expressions. Spiritual life is often integrated into daily routines, festivals, and community identity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bharatha people have both spiritual and practical needs. Although Bible resources in the Tamil language exist in written, audio, and visual forms, many still need meaningful opportunities to encounter the gospel through personal relationships, accessible communication, and faithful Christian witness.

Practical concerns may include educational opportunities, economic stability tied to coastal livelihoods, and access to community support and services. The need remains for believers who will lovingly engage them and clearly share the message of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Bharatha people will be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that ongoing prayer, loving partnership, and future gospel engagement will reach them.
Pray that Christians will faithfully reach out to the Bharatha people, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with wisdom, compassion, and cultural understanding.
Pray that a deep spiritual hunger will arise among the Bharatha people, leading many to seek and follow Jesus Christ no matter what the cost.
Pray for the physical needs of the Bharatha people, including improved access to education, healthcare, clean water, and support for families and coastal communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Bharathar (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharatha_people
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNDPLKA-People_of_Sri_Lanka.pdf
https://www.ethnologue.com


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bharathar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bharathar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation BAH-rah-tah
Alternate Names Bharatesh; Bharathari; Bhartap; Bhartar Christian; Bharthari; Chavalakkaran; Latin Catholic; Padaiachy; Padaichi; Paravan; Sarangi Bharthari; भरतार
Population this Country 13,000
Population all Countries 14,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
Unengaged Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16444
ROP3 Code 111597
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 5
Largest States
Tamil Nadu
7,400
Kerala
4,000
Gujarat
1,400
Karnataka
200
Delhi
100
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 5
  Tamil Nadu 7,400
  Kerala 4,000
  Gujarat 1,400
  Karnataka 200
  Delhi 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil (7,800 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code tam
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Malayalam
3,900
Gujarati
600
Tulu
90
Primary Language Tamil (7,800 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code tam
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Malayalam 3,900
  Gujarati 600
  Tulu 90

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
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 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 Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
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 gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Adam Jones - Flickr  Creative Commons 
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.