Ayyavazhi

Ayyavali ( Tamil: அய்யாவழி, Ayyāvaḻi; often Ayyavazhi, dt: "Path of the Father" ), according to their supporters is a Tamil monistic religion that originated in South India in the mid- 19th century. Ayyavali not count in India, however, as an independent religion, but is regarded as a form of Hinduism (cleavage ) and the Ayyavali trailers are counted as Hindus in the census in India.

Apart from the Ayyavali followers also recognize some social and religious faculties Ayyavali as an independent religion. Although Ayyavali is exercised outside the State of Tamil Nadu, the followers of Ayyavali live mainly in the districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The Community of Ayyavali rapid growth in the first century after their creation has been noted and recorded by Christian missionaries in the mid- 19th century. The ideas and the philosophy of religion based on the teachings of Ayya Vaikundar and religious texts and Arul Nool Akilattirattu Ammanai.

According to these books was the founder of the religion, Ayya Vaikundar, a Manu - reincarnation ( Trimurti ). Although Ayyavali and Hinduism in mythology and practice have many ideas in common, they differ in some respects, particularly in the concepts of " good and evil " and the Dharma.

Word Meaning

The origins of the name Ayyavali are not known. The different interpretations of its meaning include:

• Father's way - in the locally spoken language Tamil ayya (father ) vali (path ). This reading is the most widespread in Tamil as ayya " dear father " means.
• The ultimate truth of the master - of ayya ( master ) vali ( the ultimate truth ) - is derived from the transferred use of words.
• Doctrine of the Guru - Ayya as (Guru ) vali ( doctrine = valibadu in Tamil ).
• Way to the holy feet of the deity - Ayya as ( deity ) vali (way to unification )

The synonymous translations of the phrase are endless, because the meaning of the Tamil word ayya fluctuates between "Father, Guru, the higher standing, dignitaries, commanding respect, Master, King, Teacher, Teaching ," and others. The word vali means "way, rule of conduct, manner, method, mode, cause, Antiquity, sequence, Doctrine of the Faith, reason ", etc.

History

The religion of Ayyavali stepped through the large number of people in appearance, the charters themselves together to pay homage to the founder Ayya Vaikundar first time. Most of these followers of Ayyavali came from the marginalized and socially disadvantaged strata of Tamil society. Although most of the followers of the caste of " Chanar " came from, the religion also won supporters from other castes. The five Citars, the disciples Vaikundars, and their descendants traveled to different parts of the country and spread the teachings of Ayyavali.

In the middle of the 19th century Ayyavali was finally recognized as a religion, but is restricted to the small region of southern Travancore and the southern Tirunelveli. The number of his followers had risen sharply since the 1840s. After the death of the founder Ayya Vaikundar religion was the teachings and the books and Arul Nool Akilattirattu Ammanai more widely based. Hundreds of Nizal Thangals called places of worship were built throughout the country.

The current leader of this religious community, Bala Prajapathi Adikalar, is a descendant of Payyan Dynasty. He has written numerous " Nizal Thangals " was founded. The day of the alleged incarnation of Ayya Vaikundars ( " Ayya Vaikunda Avataram " ) was declared in the districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, earlier in the district of Kanyakumari, a holiday.

Scriptures and sacred places

The sacred books of Ayyavali are Akilattirattu Ammanai (often abbreviated Akilam ) and Arul Nool. They are the sources of the mythology of the Ayyavali religion. The Legend of Ayyavali claims that the Akilattirattu Ammanai by Hari Gopalan Citar was written. There is no verifiable history of the origin of the book Arul Nool, but believe the Ayyavali, whether from Citars and Arulalarkal (one who is seized by divine power ) have been written. It contains prayers, hymns and instructions for worship in Ayyavali, rituals, prophecies and many deeds.

The followers of the Ayyavali know five " Pathi " called holy places, the most important " Panchappathi " is. The Temple of Swamithoppepathi is the headquarters of Ayyavali religion. The Vakaippathi where Vaikundar had sent 700 families, was seen in the holy book Akilam as Pathi, although this place has no direct connection to the deeds of Vaikundar. There is within the community of Avyyavali serious disagreements about the actual holiness of some of the "holy " places. The Avatharappathi in Thiruchendur is accepted in the book Akilam as Pathi, but some believe Ayyavali that the place where the temple stands today, is not the exact location, is reborn at the Ayya Vaikundar from the sea; they are of a different opinion than the rest of the trailer. There are also a number of followers who clearly express themselves as Pathi against the sanctity Thiruchendurs, although they accept it as a secondary sacred place.

Symbols

The symbol of Ayyavali religion is a 1008 - petalled lotus flower, carrying a flame -shaped white " Namam ". The flower symbolizes the Sahasrara ( the so-called crown chakra, also see chakra), Tamil Ladam, and the Namam represents the Anma Jyoti or Atman, translated as " soul " or "self." There is evidence of the Tirunamam in the primary and secondary writings and Arul Nool Akilattirattu Ammanai, but it seems that there is no direct evidence on the " lotus Namam supporting", there are in the scriptures. According to some legends, this icon was at the Ayyavali in use since the early 1840s.

Worship centers

The followers of Ayyavali oriented Pathis and Nizhal Thangals, the centers of learning and prayer are, in different parts of the country. They served as centers for the dissemination of the beliefs and practices of Ayyavazli. There are more than 3500 worship centers, spread all over South India. Since Ayyavali is not an organized religion, Swamithoppepathi serves as a religious albeit unofficial headquarters.

Pathis

Pathis were the important centers of community services, they were in possession of relatively larger structures than the temple. The Pathis owe their significance to the fact that Ayya Vaikundar and its activities were historically associated with these places of worship. There are six in number.

Nizhal Thangals

Nizhal Thangal are simple little buildings that were built to spread the teachings of Ayya Vaikundar. Also, food and shelter were offered to the needy in these centers. Some of them were even founded during the lifetime of Vaikundar. Today is charity and charity one of the main activities of these centers. They are important places of worship, but are partly used as schools and community centers.

Controversies

Although the majority of the followers Ayyavalis argue that it is an independent religion in Ayyavali, this is not officially recognized in India as an independent religion. There is also evidence that this consider themselves some of the followers of Ayyavali rather than Hindu sect because as an independent religion. The rites of prayer and the mythology similar to the Hinduism and the founder of the religion is regarded by his followers as an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Even the belief in the gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva share Ayyavali with the Hindus. The mystical practices of the processions and prophecies of Ayyavali similar to those of traditional religions in Tamil Nadu. The widespread illiteracy as a result of poverty among the supporters prevented them to understand the Ayyavali philosophy. Consequently Ayyavali is degenerate to a Hindu sect.

The proliferation of Ayyavali in Tamil Nadu is limited to a few areas in the south of the state as well as in southern Kerala. The majority of the followers were from the Nadar caste. There are no official figures on the number of Ayyavali - trailers; because the Indian government Ayyavali does not recognize as an independent religion, the followers are counted in the official census of the Hindus. Apart from the two associated with Ayyavali religious texts and Arul Nool Akilattirattu Ammanai there is no other information to the philosophy. The philosophy of this faith, his mythology and prayer rites are identical to those of Hinduism and Advaita and Smartism.