History of Ayyavazhi

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Ayyavazhi history

Ayyavazhi Theology

Ekam-The Ultimate Oneness Vethan-The Creator Thirumal-The Maintainer Sivan-The Destroyer Vaikundar-The Incarnation The Trinity

Scriptures

Akilathirattu Ammanai Vinchai to Vaikundar Thirukkalyana Ekanai Arul Nool

Worship centers

Swamithope pathi Pathis Nizhal Thangals

Religiosity

Ayyavazhi Publications Ayyavazhi movements Ayyavazhi Religious practices Main teachings

Related Systems

Hinduism Advaita Smartism

Portal: Ayyavazhi

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The History of Ayyavazhi traces the religious history of Ayyavazhi a religion originated in mid-ninteenth century in Southern India. Ayyavazhi came to be noticed by large number of people gathering to worship Ayya Vaikundar in the middle of the 19th century. The majority of the follwers of Ayyavazhi were from marginalised and poor sections of society. ^[1]

Right from the beginning of the development Ayyavazhi was seen in competition by the Christian missionaries on their mission. This is evident by the reports of Ayyavazhi found in the reports of the Christian missionaries ^[2] . Although the majority of the followers of Ayyavazhi were from the Chanar caste (a social group), people of other castes also crowded around Vaikundar ^[3] . It was not usual at the time for people of different castes to intermingle. ^[4]

Contents 1 Early Years 1.1 Citars 1.2 Payyans 1.3 Nizhal Thangals 2 After Indian Independence 2.1 Fast Spread 2.2 Ayyavazhi conferences 3 Reference 4 See also

[edit] Early Years

By the middle of Nineteenth century, Ayyavazhi had come to be a recognisable religion, in South Travancore and South Tirunelveli ^[5] . The growth of the religion increased significantly from the forties through the decades.^[6] After the death of the founder, the religion was also spread by his teachings and the religious books Akilattirattu Ammanai and Arul Nool.

[edit] Citars

Main article: Citars

When Ayya was alive he instructed the five Citars with the rules and regulations. ^[7] They were asked to preach them to the people. After he died, the disciples went to different parts of the country, preaching them to the people.^[8]

[edit] Payyans

Main article: Payyan dynasty

According to some oral traditions Muthukutty called the son of Thirumalammal affetionately as Payyan (little boy). No one but Payyan was allowed to perform the panivedai to Ayya when ever the Citar were away. He was allowed to offer the Nithiya Pal to Ayya during the Tavam. And after Muthukutti died, Payyan started administrating the Swamithoppe Pathi, in spite of the disputes with Vellaicchamiyar who claimed for the administration in the court, but the judjement was in favour of Payyan. Other Pathis came under the administration of the native followers of Ayya of that places. ^[9] After the time of Payyan the descendants of him started the administration. The eldest of them was called Pattathu Ayya.

Pattathu Ayyas so far were, ^[10]

1. Pattathu Ayya. Podukkutty
2. Pattathu Ayya. Krishna Narayana Vadivu
3. Pattathu Ayya. Chella vadivu
4. Pattathu Ayya. Bala Krishnan
5. Pattathu Ayya. Chella Raj
6. Pattathu Ayya. Bala Prajapathi Adikalar

Though the eldest of the Payyans now is Anantha kutty Nadar, due to unknown reasons he refused to accept the rank.^[11] So the next elder most, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar is considered as the present Pattathu Ayya.^[12]

[edit] Nizhal Thangals

The Nizhal Thangals are the worship centers of Ayyavazhi built by devoult followers of Ayya. Some of them are believed to be built when Ayya was alive. Many of the Nizhal Thangals were not under the rules of Ayyavazhi scriptures. Hundreds of Thangals arose in different parts of the country. Some were run by single individuals and some other by Ayyavazhi organisations and independent trusts. ^[13] But all were bonded under Swamithoppe only religiously by not officially. This rate of rise of Thangals even increased after the seventies of the twentieth century.

[edit] After Indian Independence

The growth of Ayyavazhi after the independence of India is significant especially in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu ^[14]. Nizhal Thangals rose in hundreds throughout the state. ^[15] Around forties the Lotus with Namam was announced as the Symbol of Ayyavazhi.

[edit] Fast Spread

Then from the late 1970s Ayyavazhi recorded rapid growth.^{[citation needed]} Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, the present Pattathu Ayya of Swamithoppe Pathi had a significant role in the later day developments of Ayyavazhi. He is also famous throughout Tamil Nadu.^[16] From 1975 the Masi Procession (The Vaikunda Avatara Orvalam) was held and today it was one among the largest religious procession of the district. People from almost all the districts of Tamil Nadu and from some parts of Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharastra participate in this procession. A few years later the Thiruvanathapuram procession and the Thiruchendur Procession were also held. From 1994 onwards The Vaikunda Avataram was declared as a holiday for the district of Kanyakumari. From this year (2006) Ayya Vaikunda Avataram was declared as a Holiday for the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. ^[17]

[edit] Ayyavazhi conferences

Many conferences have been organized across the country. The first conference was held at Marthandam for three days on a date that is unknown.^[18] Later, conducted at Valliyoor, Chennai, Arumuganeri, Nagercoil, Thiruvanathapuram and almost at all the taluk head quarters of Kanyakumari District. The Payyans as well as experts deliver lectures on the tenets of Ayyavazhi at the conferences. Thiru Edu-Vasippu is also conducted. ^[19]

[edit] Reference