The Telugu-speaking Mitha Ayyalvar people live primarily in Telangana, India. Historically, they have been involved in religious service, specifically in Hindu temples, where they performed rituals and served as caretakers of the temples. Over time, their role in society has expanded, with some families moving into other forms of employment, including agriculture and small-scale trade. Despite these changes, many Mitha Ayyalvar continue to uphold their traditional duties within the temples.
Most Mitha Ayyalvar families maintain close connections to local Hindu temples, where they perform rituals, assist with religious ceremonies and maintain the upkeep of the temple grounds. In addition to their temple duties, some families engage in farming, cultivating crops such as rice, millet and vegetables. Others have found employment in nearby towns, working in service-oriented jobs.
Their villages are often centered around the local temple, where religious activities are integrated into their daily routines. Homes are typically simple, built from locally sourced materials like brick and mud. Families in the community work together to support one another, with extended family members sharing responsibilities both in the temple and in their agricultural work.
The Mitha Ayyalvar people practice Hinduism, with a strong emphasis on temple worship and religious rituals. They serve as custodians of specific deities in local temples and are responsible for conducting daily prayers and festivals. They participate in major Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Ugadi and observe additional rituals associated with their temple service.
Their religious life revolves around the temples they serve, where they worship deities such as Vishnu, Shiva and Lakshmi. The Mitha Ayyalvar people play a key role in facilitating these rituals for the broader community, ensuring that the spiritual needs of the people are met.
The Mitha Ayyalvar people face challenges related to economic development, education and healthcare. Many still rely on traditional temple service for income, but this is not always sufficient to support their families. Expanding opportunities for economic diversification, including access to small business ventures and improved farming techniques, would help improve their financial stability.
Education remains limited in rural areas, with many Mitha Ayyalvar children having to travel long distances to attend school. Improving access to education would open doors for younger generations to explore more diverse career paths. Similarly, healthcare services are often inadequate, with families having to travel to larger towns for medical treatment. Improving healthcare infrastructure in their communities would greatly benefit their overall well-being.
Pray for Mitha Ayyalvar family leaders learn about Jesus, embrace him and take him to their family members.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among these people and a longing to know God personally.
Pray the Telugu JESUS Film will soon become easily available to them and shown widely.
Scripture Prayers for the Mitha Ayyalvar in India.
Ethnologue: Languages of the World
Reports from Indian NGOs on temple service communities
Academic research on rural communities in Telangana, India
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
