Ayyavazhi Philosophy

Ayyavazhi அய்யாவழி (Tamil: "path of the father"), a Tamil monistic religion that originated in South India in the mid-19th century. The 'zhi' (ழி) in the word, 'Ayyavazhi', is a retroflex, ri.

Ayyavazhi functions autonomously. But since it was not recognised as a separate religion it was officially considered as an offshoot of Hinduism. Though it has not received official recognition, it has evolved into a distinctive religious phenomenon, making its presence felt in India's southern districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. As one of the fastest growing religions of southern India, its rapid growth had been noted in the Christian missionary reports of the mid-19th century.

Ayyavazhi focuses on Ayya Vaikundar; according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the holy book of the religion, he was the Manu avatar of Trimurthi. The ideas and philosophy of the religion is based on the teachings of Ayya Vaikundar and the religious texts Akilattirattu Ammanai and Arul Nool.

Etymology

The etymology of the word 'Ayyavazhi' is a bit obscure. It is debated, though the different implications to the phrase do not move far from one another. To understand the exact sense of the word is laborious.

Path of Father - from the local spoken-tamil language Ayya (father) + vazhi (path). This sense which is derived from the spoken language is commonly used because 'ayya' is the affectionate phrase which sounds as 'dear father' in the local language of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The possibility of this sense is more strengthened because the scripture of the religion is written in Ammanai form, which is commonly used in folk form of literary works.

The Palliyarai of Swamithoppe pathi.The ultimate truth of Master - from Tamil Ayya (Master) + vazhi (the ultimate truth) is derived from the literary usage of the words.

Religious system of Guru - from Tamil Ayya as (Guru) + vazhi (religious system - vazhibadu in tamil).

Way of attaining the sacred feet of God - Ayya as (God) + vazhi (way to unify)

The synonymous versions of the phrase are not restricted to a limit because the usage of the word 'Ayya' in tamil varies a lot as father, guru, the superior, a person of dignity, respectable one, master, the king, the teacher, preceptor and etc. The word 'vazhi' in tamil varies as: the way, acourse of conduct, manner, method, mode, cause, antiquity, succession, religious system, reason and so on.

Compare the etymology of Tai Chi.

History

The religious phenomenon of Ayyavazhi made its presence felt primarily by a movement of people across the country, and their confluence around Ayya Vaikundar. A large number of people criss-crossing the country and their convergence around Vaikundar at Poovandanthoppe created an excitement in the country. The majority of those that participated in this religious phenomenon of Ayyavazhi were from marginalised and poor sections of society. It was a great challenge right from the beginning stage of the development of Ayyavazhi, for the Christian missionaries to their proselytising mission. It was evident from the reports of them. Though the vast majority of the people to gather around him was from Chanar cast (a social group), there are evidence that people of different castes crowded round. There seems to have been an intermingling between the people of different castes that gathered around him.

By the middle of Nineteenth century, Ayyavazhi had come to be a recognisable religious phenomenon, making its presence felt in South Travancore and South Tirunelveli. The growth of the phenomenon had increased significantly from the forties through the decades. After the time that Ayya was bodily present the religion was spread on the basis of the teachings of Vaikundar and the religious books Akilattirattu Ammanai and Arul Nool. The five Citars and their descendants visited several parts of the country and carried the mission as per the instructions of Vaikundar. Mean while the Payyan dynasty started administration of Swamithoppe pathi. While other Pathis came under the administration of the native followers of Ayya of that places. On the other hand hundreds of Nizhal Thangals arose across the country year by year. And Bala Prajapathi Adikalar was one of descendant of Payyan dynasty is a notable figure in the present day history of Ayyavazhi. He laid foundations for a large number of Nizhal Thangals across Tamil Nadu and in some parts of Kerala and Maharastra.

Scriptures and holy places

Swamithoppe Pathi, headquarters of Ayyavazhi.The holy books of Ayyavazhi are the Akilattirattu Ammanai and the Arul Nool, and they are the source of the religion's mythology. It is believed that the Akilattirattu Ammanai was written down by Hari Gopalan Citar by hearing the events (contents of Akilam) told by Narayana to his consort Lakshmi. But there was no definite history about the origin of Arul Nool; but generally believed

that it was written by Citars and Arulalarkal (one who get possessed by divine power). It contains the prayers, hymns and instructions for the way of worship in Ayyavazhi, rituals, prophesies and also many acts.

To the Ayyavazhi devotees, there are five holy places, called Pathis, with "Panchappathis" being the greatest. The activities of Ayya Vaikundar is historically associated with them. The temple of Swamithoppepathi is the headquarters of the Ayyavazhi religion. The Vakaippathi, where 700 families were send to Thuvayal Thavasu by Vaikundar was accredited as a Pathi in Akilam though this site has no direct association with the activities of Vaikundar. The Avatharappathi in Thiruchendur was not accepted by Akilam as a Pathi. But since Ayya Vaikundar incarnated in that place from the sea, it was also considered as a primary holy place. There are also some denominations which strongly object Thiruchendur as a Pathi though they accept it as a secondary holy site. Since all the Panchappathis were in the district of Kanyakumari, the district as a whole is considered as a sacred site by the nation-wide Ayyavazhi followers.

Symbolism

The aerial view of Sahasrara, symbolised in Ayyavazhi as 'Lotus carrying Namam'The symbol of the Ayyavazhi religion is a 1,008 petalled