Worship centers of Ayyavazhi
Encyclopedia
The Pathis and Nizhal Thangals, are centers of worship and religious learning for the followers of Ayyavazhi which are established in different parts of India
. They served as centres for propagation of the beliefs and practices of Ayyavazhi. There are more than 8000 worship centers throughout India
, mostly in Tamil Nadu
and Kerala
. The Pathis are given religious importance than the Nizhal Thangals and are considered as primary worship centers. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion, Swamithoppepathi serves, religiously but not officially, as the headquarters of all.
. They obtain their significance from the fact that Ayya Vaikundar and his activities were historically associated with these centers of worship. They are seven in number. All the Pathis except the Avatharappathi
are situated in the Kanyakumari district
. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion the Swamithope pathi though considered as religious headquarters, it officially does not control the rest of the religious centers. And hence all the Pathis are independently managed by different formed committees or by organisations. Some Pathis are maintained by the native Ayyavazhi followers of that particular area after the period of Vaikundar.
Generally two facts are required to accredit a site as Pathi, They are
and Vakaippathi
as Akilam call them using the term 'Pathi' and because of they are related to the incarnational activities of Vaikundar. But at present, due to some conflict between the followers in accepting them as equal importance with other Pathis, only the Panchappathis are accepted by the whole mass as Pathis. Also the List of Pathis from the Swamithoppe, the religious headquarters does not include the Pathis other than Panthappathis. The Panchappathis are
So on such case the Avatharappathi and Vakaippathi will attain its religious status as worship centers between that of Pathi
s and Nizhal Thangal
s. (i.e.) lesser important than Panchappathis and more important than Thangals. In any case Swamithoppe
Pathi
is not only the religious head-quarters, but also the center which gains the highest religious importance from the incarnation
al activities of Vaikundar.
s were simple small structures built for the purpose of worship and for learning the teachings of Ayya Vaikundar
. They served as centers of education during the early days. Food
and shelter were offered to the needy in these centers. Some of them were established when Vaikundar was alive. Even now charity
is one of the main activities conducted in these centers.
These Nizhal Thangals formed place in the socio-religious life of the people. All the people were brought together here irrespective of caste
distinctions which was not usual at that period of time. The mode and formalities of worship were revolutionalised in these centers. Some 7 of the Thangals are constructed even at the time of the earthly life of Vaikundar. Religiously, these seven are considered primary among the Thangals. They are,
Among the secondary worship centers Thangals, these seven of them are considered primary, and are considered sacred
and seen with historical importance. These are the oldest among the Thangals.
India
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...
. They served as centres for propagation of the beliefs and practices of Ayyavazhi. There are more than 8000 worship centers throughout India
India
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...
, mostly in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and Kerala
Kerala
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....
. The Pathis are given religious importance than the Nizhal Thangals and are considered as primary worship centers. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion, Swamithoppepathi serves, religiously but not officially, as the headquarters of all.
Pathis
Pathis were the important centres of congregational worship, being relatively bigger structures like that of a templeTemple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
. They obtain their significance from the fact that Ayya Vaikundar and his activities were historically associated with these centers of worship. They are seven in number. All the Pathis except the Avatharappathi
Avatharappathi
Avathara Pathi is a phrase in Tamil which represents 'The place where God incarnates'. The Avathara Pathi is one among the holy places of the religion of Ayyavazhi, which had been erected in Thiruchendur...
are situated in the Kanyakumari district
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...
. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion the Swamithope pathi though considered as religious headquarters, it officially does not control the rest of the religious centers. And hence all the Pathis are independently managed by different formed committees or by organisations. Some Pathis are maintained by the native Ayyavazhi followers of that particular area after the period of Vaikundar.
Generally two facts are required to accredit a site as Pathi, They are
- The site(place) should be historically associated with the incarnationIncarnationIncarnation literally means embodied in flesh or taking on flesh. It refers to the conception and birth of a sentient creature who is the material manifestation of an entity, god or force whose original nature is immaterial....
al activities of Vaikundar. - The site should be mentioned in Akilam by referring it using the term 'Pathi' .
Panchappathis — The Primary Pathis
The Pathis are calculated as seven including AvatharappathiAvatharappathi
Avathara Pathi is a phrase in Tamil which represents 'The place where God incarnates'. The Avathara Pathi is one among the holy places of the religion of Ayyavazhi, which had been erected in Thiruchendur...
and Vakaippathi
Vakaippathi
Vakaippathi, one among the Panchappathis is a holy site for the People of Ayyavazhi.Vakaippathi is the place situated 4 km northeast to Kanyakumari in the seashore near vattakkotai. This is the place where 700 families from Swamithoppe were sent to Thuvayal Thavasu by Ayya Vaikundar; they were...
as Akilam call them using the term 'Pathi' and because of they are related to the incarnational activities of Vaikundar. But at present, due to some conflict between the followers in accepting them as equal importance with other Pathis, only the Panchappathis are accepted by the whole mass as Pathis. Also the List of Pathis from the Swamithoppe, the religious headquarters does not include the Pathis other than Panthappathis. The Panchappathis are
- Swamithope pathiSwamithope PathiSwamithoppe Pathi , Swamithoppu-pathi, Manavai-pathi, Thamarai-pathi or Thalaimaippathi [Thalaimai + pathi] is the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi, the head of all Worship centers of Ayyavazhi, and the place where Ayya Vaikundar is said to have performed the Tavam...
- AmbalappathiAmbalappathiAmbala Pathi , also called as Pallathu pathi or Moolakunda pathi is one of the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi, and the second important pilgrim centers of Ayyavazhi, and the place where Ayya Vaikundar is said to have unified all divine power into himself by symbolic marriages.According to Ayyavazhi...
- MuttappathiMuttappathiMutta Pathi , is one of the Pancha pathi, which are the primary centers for worship of the Ayyavazhi. This is the third important pilgrim center of Ayyavazhi...
- TamaraikulampathiTamaraikulampathiThamaraikulam Pathi , is one among the Pancha pathi, the five holy places of Ayyavazhi. The Ari Gopalan Citar, who wrote the Akilam was born here....
- PooppathiPooppathiWinnie the Pooh Pathi is one among the Pancha pathi, which are the primary worship centers and holy places of Ayyavazhi. As the incarnational activity of Vaikundar, the marriage with Poomadanthai, the Goddess of Earth was the event took place here...
So on such case the Avatharappathi and Vakaippathi will attain its religious status as worship centers between that of Pathi
Pathi
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...
s and Nizhal Thangal
Nizhal Thangal
Nizhal Thangal are secondary worship places of the Ayyavazhi, often smaller in size compared to Pathis, built per the instructions of Akilattirattu Ammanai...
s. (i.e.) lesser important than Panchappathis and more important than Thangals. In any case Swamithoppe
Swamithope Pathi
Swamithoppe Pathi , Swamithoppu-pathi, Manavai-pathi, Thamarai-pathi or Thalaimaippathi [Thalaimai + pathi] is the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi, the head of all Worship centers of Ayyavazhi, and the place where Ayya Vaikundar is said to have performed the Tavam...
Pathi
Pathi
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...
is not only the religious head-quarters, but also the center which gains the highest religious importance from the incarnation
Incarnation
Incarnation literally means embodied in flesh or taking on flesh. It refers to the conception and birth of a sentient creature who is the material manifestation of an entity, god or force whose original nature is immaterial....
al activities of Vaikundar.
Nizhal Thangals
Nizhal ThangalNizhal Thangal
Nizhal Thangal are secondary worship places of the Ayyavazhi, often smaller in size compared to Pathis, built per the instructions of Akilattirattu Ammanai...
s were simple small structures built for the purpose of worship and for learning the teachings of 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...
. They served as centers of education during the early days. Food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
and shelter were offered to the needy in these centers. Some of them were established when Vaikundar was alive. Even now charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
is one of the main activities conducted in these centers.
These Nizhal Thangals formed place in the socio-religious life of the people. All the people were brought together here irrespective of caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
distinctions which was not usual at that period of time. The mode and formalities of worship were revolutionalised in these centers. Some 7 of the Thangals are constructed even at the time of the earthly life of Vaikundar. Religiously, these seven are considered primary among the Thangals. They are,
- ChettikudiyiruppuNizhal Thangal of ChettikudiyiruppuThis Nizhal Thangal is situated 3 km west to Swamithope. There was a zeouse devotee for Vaikundar during his period. During the last phase of the Tavam, Vaikundar avoid speaking to anybody. So for giving message for the people Vaikundar blessed Mr.Swamiyadiyan of Eachan vilai, one of his...
- AgastheeswaramNizhal Thangal of AgastheeswaramThis Thangal of Agastheeswaram was the second among the Primary Nizhal Thangals. This Thangal was constructed by Velandi Vathiyar of Agastheeswaram who was a friend of Sakadevan Citar, one among the five disciples of Vaikundar. He earned his name Vathiyar because he conducted platform-school to...
- PaloorNizhal Thangal of PaloorThis Thangal of Paloor was the third among the Primary Nizhal Thangals. This Thangal was constructed by Mr. Perumal Nadar of Paloor who donated 43 palmyra trees for the famous Thaththuva-kottagai Project in Ambala Pathi....
- SundavilaiNizhal Thangal of SundavilaiThis Thangal of Sundavilai was the fourth among the Primary Nizhal Thangals. Very little information was know regarding the history of this thangal. The foundation stone for this Thangal was laid on 1849 in the Tamil month of margazhi.-References:...
- VadalivilaiNizhal Thangal of VadalivilaiThis Thangal of Vadalivilai was the fifth among the Primary Nizhal Thangals. After the Kodiyettru Thirunal of Swamithope in 1850, the devotees of Ayya from Vadali vilai of Tirunelveli district requested Ayya to visit their village, during their holy visit to Swamithope. Accepting their request Ayya...
- KadambankulamNizhal Thangal of KadambankulamThis Thangal of Kadambankulam was the sixth among the Primary Nizhal Thangals. This Thangal was situated South to Valliyoor, 2 km southeast to Kalantha panai. This was the place where Thavam petral, the daughter of Dharma Citar was married to a man from here. Also, this was the native place of...
- PambankulamNizhal Thangal of PambankulamThis Thangal of Pambankulam was the seventh among the Primary Nizhal Thangals. Then immediately after participating in the celebrations in Kadambankulam, Ayya reached Pambankulam. This Thangal was situated west to Kadambankulam in the Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari National Highway east to Panakkudy.A...
Among the secondary worship centers Thangals, these seven of them are considered primary, and are considered sacred
Sacred
Holiness, or sanctity, is in general the state of being holy or sacred...
and seen with historical importance. These are the oldest among the Thangals.
See also
- List of Ayyavazhi-related articles
- AyyavazhiAyyavazhiAyyavazhi 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...
- Ayya VaikundarAyya VaikundarAyya 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...