>Michaelwallace22 at 19:52, 19 November 2020

2020-11-19T19:52:32Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}

{{Ayyavazhi}}
The '''festivals and celebrations''' play an important role in the socio-religious universe of [[Ayyavazhi]]. Some of the festivals are common for both [[Pathis]] and [[Nizhal Thangals]], while some are confined to Pathis. In [[Swamithope pathi]], every day is celebrated as a festival with the name 'Nitham Thirunal'. Normally all the festivals are celebrated grandly in [[Swamithope]] than any other worship centers of Ayyavazhi. [[London Missionary Society|LMS]] reports to witness such festivals.

==Nitham Thirunal==

The ''Nitham Thirunal'' is likely to be celebrated only in [[Swamithope pathi]]. This celebration includes the daily rituals connected to the [[Panividai]]s and worship in Swamithope. Usually the [[Palliyarai]] is opened for worship at 4.00 am daily, with the sounds of Blowing Conch and bells. Following this, a ''Panividaiyalar'' used to circumambulate the [[Pathi]], first the ''Santhana-veethi'' (First circumambulating route) and then the ''Ratha-veethi'' (Second circumambulating route). Then around the [[Palliyarai]] ([[sanctum sanctorum]]) is again closed around 4.30 am and opened again for the morning Panividai at 5.30 am. Then the [[Elunetru]] is carried in a [[Vahana]] around the Pathi through the two circumambulating routes. When the Vahana reaches the [[Vatakku Vasal|Vadakku vasal]] (the northern entrance) in the ''Santhana-veethi'', the ''Dharma-mani'' is rung and the 'Thavanai Pal' (holy rice gruel) is given for the worshippers. Once the ''Vahana bavani'' comes to the end, the elunetru is taken back to the Palliyarai under umbrella and the '' 'Nithiya Pal' '' (holy rice gruel) to the worshippers.

As part of noon-fest, the east entrance (main entrance) is opened and the noon-prayer, [[Ucchippadippu]] is sung by [[Payyan dynasty|Payyan]]s which was followed by the worshippers. At the end, after smearing [[Thirunamam]] for the worshippers, ''Santhana-Pal'' (Sandal-milk) is offered to the worshippers and followed by offering '' 'Thavanai Pal' '' in the Vadakku Vasal. The evening celebrations are the same as that of Morning. The only difference is instead of 'Thavanai Pal' (the rice gruel) the 'Umban Annam' (rice cooked with vegetables together) in the Vadakku Vasal.

The [[Ukappadippu]] is sung during the morning and evening fests and Ucchippadippu during the nool festival. The Vahana-bavani is conducted in the morning and evening. The Palliyarai is opened for the common mass for worship three times a day, and closed around 8.00 pm. [[Akilam]] admits that by celebrating every day as a festival, the evil [[Kaliyan|Kali]] would destroy itself.

==Weekly festivals==

Mostly all [[Worship centers of Ayyavazhi|Ayyavazhi worship centers]] conduct a weekly festival, where the Sundays occupy the important place. Most of the [[Pathi]]s, including [[Swamithope]] and [[Mutta Pathi]] conduct special celebrations on Sundays, weekly. In [[Ambala Pathi]], the Tuesdays are considered holy, since the divine marriage of [[Vaikundar]] with the seven deities took place there. This practise is there right from the times of Vaikundar.

Apart from this some [[Nizhal Thangal]]s conducts special [[Panividai]]s on Fridays, while few others select Thursdays to be the day of weekly festivals.

==Muthal Kizhamai==

The ''Muthal kizhamai'' festival is celebrated in [[Swamithope]] during the first Sundays of every Tamil Month. Some Nizhal Thangals conduct these festivals not during Sundays, but during the first Fridays of all [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] months. Special [[Anna Dharmam]]s will be done on ''Muthal Kizhamais''.

==Kodiyettru Thirunal==

[[Kodiyettru Thirunal]] is common for all Pathis. Nowadays many Nizhal Thangals have also started conducting this festival. There are views that Pathis only should conduct Kodiyetru Thirunal. Some even argue that no worship centers have right to conduct this festival other than [[Swamithope pathi]].

In Swamithope pathi three such festivals are celebrated annually during the Tamil months of ''Avani'', ''Thai'' and ''Masi''. Each fest includes eleven days. Other Pathis conduct this once in a year. The festival starts with the ''Kodi-yetru''(flag hoisting) Usually, a '' 'Seven days Picchai' '' (ritual practice of begging on behalf of human beings to God) is performed starting from the first days of the Festival. During these festival days, special Panivadais are being performed. The eighth day [[Anna Dharmam]] was considered with great importance. Each days the elunetru is carried in different [[Vahana]]s around the Pathis. As usual three Panividais(Pooja) are conducted. The eighth day is considered '' 'Kali-vettai' '' (as day of hunting of [[Kaliyan|Kali]]). The eleventh day, will be the [[Car festival]] and the festival comes to an end in the early morning (3.30 am) of the twelfth day.

==Thiru Eadu Vasippu==

This is the only Ayyavazhi festival common and free to be conducted in all worship centers. It was normally conducted for about Seventeen days. It normally begins in a Friday and ends in a Sunday. In Swamithope Pathi the [[Thiru Eadu Vasippu]] begins on the last Friday of the Tamil month of [[Karthigai]] and conducted for seventeen days. During these days the contents of Akilam was sung melodiously. The contents of [[Akilam]] was parted into seventeen and continued from the successive parts of the previous days. Every day the Vasippu is begun with the Kappu. Normally, the fifteenth day '' 'Thrikkalyana-vasippu' '' and the seventeenth day '' 'Pattabhishega-vasippu' '' are considered with high religious importance.

Almost all Pathis and Nizhal Thangals conduct this festival once in a year. Other than the Seventeen days schedule, Some thangals conduct it for about three days, five days, seven days, Ten days etc. Generally this festival will not be conducted in any Pathis or Nizhal Thangals during the Tamil Month of Karthigai, since it was conducted there in [[Swamithope]] then.

==Ayya Vaikunda Avatharam==

This day, which is the incarnational day of [[Vaikundar]] from the Sea of [[Tiruchendur]] was the largest festival of [[Ayyavazhi]] and was the only festival celebrated in all worship centers simultaneously. It was celebrated on the 20th day of the Tamil Month of [[Tamil calendar|Masi]]. The celebrations in Swamithope on this day was considered highly sacred. The nationwide Ayyavazhi followers usually take a pilgrimage to Swamithope and the other [[Pancha pathi]]s during this day. Several processions are held in many parts of the country apart from 'The Great procession' indicating the incarnation of Vaikundar.

This day was an official holiday for the southern districts of Tamil Nadu such as [[Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari]], [[Thoothukudi]] and [[Tirunelveli]]. In fact this is the only Ayyavazhi festival which is celebrated according to the [[Solar calendar]].

==See also==
* [[Ayyavazhi rituals]]
* [[Ayyavazhi holy sites]]
* [[Ayyavazhi scriptures]]
* [[Ayya Vaikunda Avataram]]

==References==
* G. Patrick (2003), Religion and Subaltern Agency, University of Madras.
* T. Krishnanathan (2000), Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum, Thinai Publications.
* R. Shunmugam (2000), Nadar Kulathil Narayanar Avatharam, Nadar Kulatheebam Publications.

{{Ayyavazhi large}}

[[Category:Ayyavazhi]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]

Ayyavazhi festivals - Revision history

>Michaelwallace22 at 19:52, 19 November 2020