Kurukkal in India

The Kurukkal have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Kurukkal are small Hindu group who live in the southern Indian state of Kerala. They are part of the larger Ambalavasi caste that works as servants in Hindu temples. The Kurukkal consider themselves to be Brahmins, the highest of four castes in the Hindu faith. Other Brahmins often see them as lower castes. The Kurukkal encourage their children to obtain higher education.

The main language of the Kurukkal is Malayalam. Many Kurukkal are educated and speak Tamil, English and Kannada. Their languages aid them in their temple service. Many Christian resources are available in Malayalam including a whole Bible and the JESUS Film.


Where Are they Located?

The Kurukkal live in Kerala at the far south point of India. They frequently live in or near Hindu temples in both urban and rural settings.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kurukkal people traditionally worked in Hindu temples. They provided music, drama, dancing and singing for services in the temples. They also administered and cared for the temple. Now the Kurukkal have branched out into other professions like teaching, administration, law, politics, and engineering.

According to a number of sources the Kurukkal had unusual marriage customs. The Kurukkal women would marry more than one man from another group. The Kurukkal men would marry more than one woman from another caste. Lineage was matrilineal, from the mother.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kurukkal practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They take pride in their Hindu heritage. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They pay special reverence to Shiva, the destroyer god and Vishnu, the preserver god. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Kurukkal visit and often live at Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Kurukkal people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

Kurukkal need to realize that their Hindu gods cannot get their right with the one, true God of the Bible. Jesus Christ alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Kurukkal people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Kurukkal families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Kurukkal people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Kurukkal people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.


Scripture Prayers for the Kurukkal in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurukkal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Kailasanatha_Kurukkal
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kurukkal
https://www.revolvy.com/page/Kurukkal


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kurukkal
People Name in Country Kurukkal
Alternate Names कुरुक्कल
Population this Country 3,600
Population all Countries 3,600
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17339
ROP3 Code 112722
ROP25 Code 304425
ROP25 Name Kurukkal
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
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 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Kerala 3,600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Malayalam (3,600 speakers)
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malayalam (3,600 speakers)
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Malayalam

Primary Language:  Malayalam

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1829-1995)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1841-2022)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 Malayalam 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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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