Maravan 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 Maravan (aka, Maravar) people of India and Sri Lanka speak, read and write in Tamil. A few speak English. The Maravans in Kerala migrated from Tamil Nadu. They were classed as the Most Backward Class but are not classed among the lowest castes.


Where Are they Located?

Most Maravan (aka, Maravar) people live in India's two southernmost states, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but a smaller number are in Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Maravan people work in agriculture and the majority of them are landowners. There are businessmen, office workers and military personnel among them.

They have their own caste councils that settle disagreements. They also have an association that helps the community.

Usually Maravan males marry in their early twenties and females in their late teens. They have cross cousin marriages and allow for divorce. By inheritance the oldest son becomes in charge of the home. Women do housework and paid work.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of them are Hindus but some are Christians. The deceased are buried or are cremated.


What Are Their Needs?

These Hindus need to hear the true gospel from people who follow Jesus faithfully in word and deed.


Prayer Items

Pray for spiritual hunger among the Maravan people in India and Sri Lanka.
Pray that believers will take the name of Jesus to the Maravan people in Sri Lanka, and disciple them in his ways.


Scripture Prayers for the Maravan in Sri Lanka.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17459/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maravar


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Maravan
People Name in Country Maravan
Alternate Names Ajupani; Chitikan; Kalla; Kalla Kammar; Manavan; Marayan; Mukkalathoor; Mukkulathan; Thevar; मरवान
Population this Country 203,000
Population all Countries 3,608,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 17459
ROP3 Code 112867
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
66,000
Northern
43,000
Uva
25,000
Western
23,000
Eastern
22,000
Sabaragamuwa
16,000
North Western
3,900
Southern
3,000
North Central
700
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Central 66,000
  Northern 43,000
  Uva 25,000
  Western 23,000
  Eastern 22,000
  Sabaragamuwa 16,000
  North Western 3,900
  Southern 3,000
  North Central 700
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
13.51 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
86.49 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil (203,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code tam
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (203,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code tam
Ethnologue Language Familly Dravidian
Glottolog Language Family Dravidian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1

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 Animated Video: Creation to Christ Create International
Film / Video Chosen Witness, view in: Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Legion: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena, Released from Shame: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day anime: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for children: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
Film / Video தீர்க்கதரிசிகளின் வரலாறு / The Prophets' Story Create International
Film / Video நிம் மதியை தேடி / Finding Peace Create International
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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 Copyrighted © 2026  India Missions Association  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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.