History of Ayyavazhi
Encyclopedia
The History of Ayyavazhi traces the religious history of Ayyavazhi
, a belief-system originated in mid-nineteenth century in Southern India. Ayyavazhi came to be noticed by the large number of people gathering to worship Ayya Vaikundar
in the middle of the 19th century. The majority of the followers of Ayyavazhi were from marginalised and poor sections of society.
Right from the beginning of its development Ayyavazhi was seen in competition by the Christian missionaries on their mission. This is evident by the reports on Ayyavazhi presented by the Christian missionaries
. Although the majority of the followers of Ayyavazhi were from the Chanar caste (a social group), people of other castes also crowded around Vaikundar. It was not usual at the time for people of different castes to intermingle.
had come to be a recognisable religion, in South Travancore
and South Tirunelveli
. The growth of the religion increased significantly from the forties through the decades. Almost a century after Akilam was written down, it was released in printed form for the first time in 1933. The first printed form of Arul Nool came on 1927. While some others view that it released first on 1918. And then onwards Ayyavazhi is spread on the base of the teachings of Akilam rather than by oral tradition, which was active until then. Ayyavazhi's fast growth in its first century of existence was noted by Christian missionary reports
of the mid-19th century. As per the reports from the headquarters, from the period of Indian Independence Ayyavazhi spreads quickly and furthermore from the 1990s of the 20th century.
The participants of Thuvayal Thavasu
who were called Thuvayal Pandarams were the primary missionaries of Ayyavazhi who went to different parts of the country carrying the Gospels of Vaikundar. Also their descendents too do so.
, in spite of the disputes with Vellaicchamiyar who claimed for the administration in the court, but the judgement was in favour of Payyan. Other Pathis came under the administration of the native followers of Ayya of that places. 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,
Though the eldest of the Payyans
now is Anantha kutty Nadar, due to unknown reasons he refused to accept the rank. So the next elder most, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
is considered as the present Pattathu Ayya.
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. 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.
is significant especially in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. Nizhal Thangals rose in hundreds throughout the state. Around forties the Lotus with Namam was announced as the Symbol of Ayyavazhi. Many Ayyavazhi based social welfare movements raised in the late 20th century. Alternative to the commonly accepted Palaramachandran version
, many other versions of Akilam were released during the late 20th century including some controversial versions. Fifty-six years after the release of Palaramachandran Version, the controversial Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam Version
of Akilam was released in 1989, while that of Sentrathisai Ventraperumal was released in 1966.
, 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 the year 2006 Ayya Vaikunda Avataram was declared as a Holiday for the districts of Tirunelveli
and Tuticorin.
Also Ayyavazhi and its leaders played an important role in resolving the religious tensions during the Mondaicaud dispute. In 1993 a democratic body, Anbukkodimakkal Thirucchabai
was formed by the head-quarters to organise Ayyavazhi
and its followers. Currently, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
, one of descendant of Payyan dynasty is considered as the leader of Ayyavazhi, though some organisations oppose his lead. He has laid foundations for a large number of Nizhal Thangals throughout South India.
for three days on a date that is unknown. Later, conducted at Valliyoor, Chennai
, Arumuganeri
, Nagercoil
, Thiruvanathapuram and almost at all the taluk headquarters 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.
Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
, a belief-system originated in mid-nineteenth century in Southern India. Ayyavazhi came to be noticed by the large number of people gathering to worship Ayya Vaikundar
Ayya Vaikundar
Ayya Vaikundar , according to Akilattirattu Ammanai , a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu Avatar of Narayana, incarnated as Muthukutty or Mudisoodum Perumal, a Nadar of Swamithoppe, Tamil Nadu Ayya Vaikundar , according to Akilattirattu Ammanai (or Akilam), a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was...
in the middle of the 19th century. The majority of the followers of Ayyavazhi were from marginalised and poor sections of society.
Right from the beginning of its development Ayyavazhi was seen in competition by the Christian missionaries on their mission. This is evident by the reports on Ayyavazhi presented by the Christian missionaries
Ayyavazhi in reports by Christian missionaries
Ayyavazhi, a belief system originating from South India, is mentioned in a number of reports by Christian missionaries in the 19th century. In some of these reports, it is claimed that Ayyavazhi is an anti-Christian religious phenomenon...
. Although the majority of the followers of Ayyavazhi were from the Chanar caste (a social group), people of other castes also crowded around Vaikundar. It was not usual at the time for people of different castes to intermingle.
Early years
By the middle of the Nineteenth century, AyyavazhiAyyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
had come to be a recognisable religion, in South Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
and South Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
. The growth of the religion increased significantly from the forties through the decades. Almost a century after Akilam was written down, it was released in printed form for the first time in 1933. The first printed form of Arul Nool came on 1927. While some others view that it released first on 1918. And then onwards Ayyavazhi is spread on the base of the teachings of Akilam rather than by oral tradition, which was active until then. Ayyavazhi's fast growth in its first century of existence was noted by Christian missionary reports
Ayyavazhi in reports by Christian missionaries
Ayyavazhi, a belief system originating from South India, is mentioned in a number of reports by Christian missionaries in the 19th century. In some of these reports, it is claimed that Ayyavazhi is an anti-Christian religious phenomenon...
of the mid-19th century. As per the reports from the headquarters, from the period of Indian Independence Ayyavazhi spreads quickly and furthermore from the 1990s of the 20th century.
Seedars and Thuvayal Pandarams
When Ayya was alive he instructed the five Seedars with the rules and regulations. 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.The participants of Thuvayal Thavasu
Thuvayal Thavasu
Thuvayal Thavasu, literally washing penance, was a significant religious event that took place in the 19th century. It was also called as thuvayal panthi....
who were called Thuvayal Pandarams were the primary missionaries of Ayyavazhi who went to different parts of the country carrying the Gospels of Vaikundar. Also their descendents too do so.
Payyans
According to some oral traditions Vaikundar called the son of Thirumalammal affectionately as Payyan (little boy). No one but Payyan was allowed to perform the panivedai to Ayya whenever the Citar were away. He was allowed to offer the Nithiya Pal to Ayya during the Tavam. And after the period of Ayya, Payyan started administrating the Swamithoppe PathiPathi
Pathi is the name of the primary centres of congregational worship for the South Indian religious system of Ayyavazhi, having a relatively large structure like that of a temple...
, in spite of the disputes with Vellaicchamiyar who claimed for the administration in the court, but the judgement was in favour of Payyan. Other Pathis came under the administration of the native followers of Ayya of that places. 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,
- Pattathu Ayya. Podukkutty
- Pattathu Ayya. Krishna Narayana Vadivu
- Pattathu Ayya. Chella vadivu
- Pattathu Ayya. Bala Krishnan
- Pattathu Ayya. Chella Raj
- Pattathu Ayya. Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
Though the eldest of the Payyans
Payyan dynasty
Payyan dynasty is a family which manage and administer Swamithope pathi, the head quarters of Ayyavazhi. The genesis of Payyan dynasty was a bit uncertain. It was believed to be the descendants of Pothukkutty who was called as Payyan by Ayya Vaikundar...
now is Anantha kutty Nadar, due to unknown reasons he refused to accept the rank. So the next elder most, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
Bala Prajapathi Adikalar is considered as the present religious leader of Ayyavazhi. Ayyavazhi is not an organised religious system and so it does not fall directly under his control officially. But still religiously he was considered so...
is considered as the present Pattathu Ayya.
Nizhal Thangals
The Nizhal Thangals are the worship centers of Ayyavazhi built by devout 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 AyyavazhiAyyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
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. 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.
After Indian Independence
The growth of Ayyavazhi after the independence of IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is significant especially in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. Nizhal Thangals rose in hundreds throughout the state. Around forties the Lotus with Namam was announced as the Symbol of Ayyavazhi. Many Ayyavazhi based social welfare movements raised in the late 20th century. Alternative to the commonly accepted Palaramachandran version
Palaramachandran version
The Palaramachandran Version was the ever first published version of Akilam, the scripture of Ayyavazhi by Thankaiyah. It was published in 1939 and thus become the second printed work to be published in Ayyavazhi after the Arul Nool. There is another opinion that this version was first published in...
, many other versions of Akilam were released during the late 20th century including some controversial versions. Fifty-six years after the release of Palaramachandran Version, the controversial Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam Version
Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam Version
Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam Version is one among the released versions of Akilam, the scripture of Ayyavazhi. It was named after the socio-religious welfare organisation Ayya Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam, which released it....
of Akilam was released in 1989, while that of Sentrathisai Ventraperumal was released in 1966.
Fast Spread
Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, the present Pattathu Ayya of Swamithoppe Pathi had a significant role in the later day developments of Ayyavazhi. He has been awarded communal harmony award in the year 2003. 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 KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, 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 the year 2006 Ayya Vaikunda Avataram was declared as a Holiday for the districts of Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
and Tuticorin.
Also Ayyavazhi and its leaders played an important role in resolving the religious tensions during the Mondaicaud dispute. In 1993 a democratic body, Anbukkodimakkal Thirucchabai
Anbukkodimakkal Thirucchabai
Anbukkodimakkal Thirucchabai is a democratic bureau established by the religious headquarters of Ayyavazhi in the late 20th century. It was one among the latest developments in the religious history of Ayyavazhi....
was formed by the head-quarters to organise Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
and its followers. Currently, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
Bala Prajapathi Adikalar
Bala Prajapathi Adikalar is considered as the present religious leader of Ayyavazhi. Ayyavazhi is not an organised religious system and so it does not fall directly under his control officially. But still religiously he was considered so...
, one of descendant of Payyan dynasty is considered as the leader of Ayyavazhi, though some organisations oppose his lead. He has laid foundations for a large number of Nizhal Thangals throughout South India.
Ayyavazhi conferences
Many conferences have been organized across the country. The first conference was held at MarthandamMarthandam
Martandam is a major trade centre in Kuzhithurai municipality across National Highway in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India, at the border with Kerala. Originally called Thoduvetty, it was a portion of Kanyakumari district which was added to the state of Tamil Nadu on November 1, 1956...
for three days on a date that is unknown. Later, conducted at Valliyoor, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Arumuganeri
Arumuganeri
Arumuganeri is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.- Geography :Arumuganeri is located at . For more Details visit :www.arumuganeri.net...
, Nagercoil
Nagercoil
Nagercoil is the 12th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District...
, Thiruvanathapuram and almost at all the taluk headquarters of Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District ) is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India and is the southernmost land area of mainland India.The district is the second most urbanised district in Tamilnadu, next only to Chennai and ahead of Coimbatore. It also has the highest literacy and education levels in the...
District. The Payyans
Payyan dynasty
Payyan dynasty is a family which manage and administer Swamithope pathi, the head quarters of Ayyavazhi. The genesis of Payyan dynasty was a bit uncertain. It was believed to be the descendants of Pothukkutty who was called as Payyan by Ayya Vaikundar...
as well as experts deliver lectures on the tenets of Ayyavazhi at the conferences. Thiru Edu-Vasippu
Thiru Edu-Vasippu
Thiru Edu-Vasippu is the Indian ayyavazhi festival of melodiously reading the contents of Akilattirattu Ammanai, celebrated in Pathis and Nizhal Thangals. It is read for periods of three days, five days, ten days or seventeen days...
is also conducted.
See also
- Timeline of Ayyavazhi historyTimeline of Ayyavazhi historyThe purpose of this chronology is to give a detailed account of Ayyavazhi from the beginning of the incarnational events of Vaikundar to the present time. Question marks on dates indicate approximate dates. A star indicates the mentioning of that particular date in Akilam or Arul Nool...
- Payyan dynastyPayyan dynastyPayyan dynasty is a family which manage and administer Swamithope pathi, the head quarters of Ayyavazhi. The genesis of Payyan dynasty was a bit uncertain. It was believed to be the descendants of Pothukkutty who was called as Payyan by Ayya Vaikundar...
- Thuvayal ThavasuThuvayal ThavasuThuvayal Thavasu, literally washing penance, was a significant religious event that took place in the 19th century. It was also called as thuvayal panthi....
- TravancoreTravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...