History of Ayyavazhi

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 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. [ G.Patrick's, "Religion and Subaltern Agency", Chapter 5, page 90 ]

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 on Ayyavazhi presented by the Christian missionaries. [ The LMS Reports itself were gathered in the article headed Ayyavazhi in reports by 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. [ "Ailattirattu Ammanai", published by T.Palaramachandran Nadar, 9th impression, 1989, Page 251:Akilam speaks of 18 castes's gathering around Vaikundar. ] It was not usual at the time for people of different castes to intermingle. [ G.Patrick's, "Religion and Subaltern Agency", Chapter 2, South Tiruvitankur ]

Early years

By the middle of Nineteenth century, Ayyavazhi had come to be a recognisable religion, in South Travancore and South Tirunelveli. [ G.Patrick's, "Religion and Subaltern Agency", Chapter 5, The Religious Phenomenon of Ayyavazhi, page 91 Sub-heading:Spread of the Phenomenon, line 1 ] The growth of the religion increased significantly from the forties through the decades. [ G.Patrick's, "Religion and Subaltern Agency", Chapter 5,page 92 ] 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. [ See the LMS Reports gathered in the article Ayyavazhi in reports by Christian missionaries from the book "Religion and Subaltern Agency".] As per the reports from the headquarters, from the period of Indian Independence Ayyavazhi spreads quickly and further more from 90s of the 20th century.

eedars and Thuvayal Pandarams

When Ayya was alive he instructed the five Seedars with the rules and regulations. [ G.Patrick's, "Religion and Subaltern Agency", Chapter 5, ] 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. [ G.Patrick's, "Religion and Subaltern Agency", Chapter 5, page 120 ]

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.

Payyans

According to some oral traditions Vaikundar called the son of Thirumalammal affetionately 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 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. [ N.Elango and Vijaya Shanthi Elango "Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of the World", 1997, Chapter 8, Pancha Pathis, pages 41-43 ] 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, [ N.Elango and Vijaya Shanthi Elango, "Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of the World", Chapter 4, The Gurukulam, (The Payyan dynasty is mentioned here as Gurukulam) pages 21 ]

#"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 now is Anantha kutty Nadar, due to unknown reasons he refused to accept the rank. [ N.Elango and Vijaya Shanthi Elango, "Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of the World", Chapter 4, The Gurukulam, (The Payyan dynasty is mentioned here as Gurukulam) pages 21 ] So the next elder most, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar is considered as the present Pattathu Ayya. [ "In Swamithoppe Pathi, usually the Pattathu Ayyas use to lead other Panividaiyalars and use to carry the holy Pirambu and other things believed to be used by Ayya during the holy procession etc. Presently the "Pattathu Ayya" Anathakutty Nadar does not, and this was practiced by Bala Prajapathi Adikalar." ]

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. [ P.Sarvesvaran, "Sri Vaikunda Swamikal - A Forgotten Social Reformer", page2-3 ] 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 India is significant especially in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. [ P.Sarvesvaran, "Sri Vaikunda Swamikal - A Forgotten Social Reformer", page 2-3 : "Here the author told about the spread of Ayyavazhi to other parts of Tamil Nadu, which means north to Kanyakumari".] Nizhal Thangals rose in hundreds throughout the state. [ DR.C.Poulose's, "Advaita Philosophy of Brahmasri Chattamoi Swamikal", Chapter 2, page 24 ] 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.

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. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/01/27/stories/2003012702780500.htm The Hindu Report] - The communal harmony award of the Tamil Nadu Government for the year 2003 was presented to Bala Prajapathi Adigalar of Kanyakumari district.] 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 the year 2006 Ayya Vaikunda Avataram was declared as a Holiday for the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. [ See the report on the news paper The Hindu- [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006030305790400.htm&date=2006/03/03/&prd=th& The report on declaration] ]

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, [ N. Elango & Vijaya Shanthi Elango 1997 "Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of the World" Chapter 4, Page 21-22 "The Gurus are Payyan Chella Raj, Bala Prajapathi, Bala Janathipathi, Balalokathipathi, Payyan Sami, Thangapandian and Sekar to name a few. Bala Prajapathi is the most popular personality of all of them." ] though some organisations oppose his lead. He has laid foundations for a large number of Nizhal Thangals through out South India. [ N. Elango & Vijaya Shanathi Elango 1997, "Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of The World" Chapter 4, Page - 22, "He has laid foundation stones for more than one thousand nizhal thangals." ]

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. [ N.Elango & Vijaya Shanthi Elango, "Ayya Vaikundar - The Light of the World", Chapter 9, Page-53 :"The date was not mentioned in the source" ] 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. [ N.Elango & Vijaya Shanthi Elango, "Ayya Vaikundar - The Light of the World", Chapter 9, Page-53 ]

References

ee also

*Timeline of Ayyavazhi history
*Payyan dynasty
*Thuvayal Thavasu
*Travancore