Farming has been the primary vocation of this caste living in western India. The Velama are Hindus who belong to the Vaishnava Sect, and their principal deity is Lord Narsimha. They invite Brahmins to assist in their rituals. They traditionally accept water and cooked food from higher Hindu castes but not from members of the Scheduled Castes. They have interesting oral traditions in the form of folk songs, which are sung by both men and women during fairs and festivities and the performing of rituals.

Ministry Obstacles: Hinduism produces a very different understanding of spiritual issues than does the Christian Bible. Radically changing a person's understanding and spiritual belief system is usually a slow and difficult process.

Scripture Focus: "...filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
- Philippians 1:11

Prayer Focus: Pray for righteous character for those who find the Lord among this people group. Pray that the Velama caste will be set free from the bondage of the caste system and be drawn to the freedom found in knowing Jesus Christ. Pray for the Velama who have reported themselves as Christians to the Indian census. Pray they will lead holy lives and will learn to live in the power of God's Spirit, demonstrating love, joy, peace and all the fruit of the Spirit.