Introduction / History

In the past the Nadar people of southern India owned and cultivated palmyra palm trees. Either they or their servants would climb the palm tree, cut a branch and collect the sweet sap. Although all parts of this palm tree are valuable, the sap quickly becomes palm wine in the warm climate of south India. The production of palm wine or toddy was the main occupation of the Nadars until modern times.

The Nadar speak Tamil and other regional languages. The Nadar people live primarily in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala today. A smaller number live in the other southern states. There is also a Nadar community in Sri Lanka.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Nadar and government leaders are trying to discourage the production of alcohol and encourage the production of sugar from the sap of the palm tree. Today, many Nadars obtain higher education and achieve leadership positions in business and government. Some educated Nadars are fully engaged in modern Indian society, while others without education work and live like their ancestors in rural villages. Education is a key for them to rise above their current situation.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of the Nadar people are Hindus. The Goddess Bhadrakali is the chief deity of the Nadar. The Nadar also claim that they are the descendants of Bhadrakali. A Bhadrakali temple is at the center of nearly every Nadar community. She is pictured as a fierce warrior with three eyes and carrying weapons with her many hands. The Nadar also worship Murugan, the god of war and son of Shiva.

A small but significant percentage of Nadar are Christians, both Protestants and Catholics.

What Are Their Needs?

The Nadar people need Christ s ambassadors to introduce them to the one who brings life to the full!

Prayer Items

Pray that the Nadar Christians would be trained in discipleship and reach out to their Hindu neighbors with the gospel of Christ.
Pray that Nadar churches read and study the Tamil Bibles that are available.

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

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadar_(caste)