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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Swamithoppe Pathi
| image = Swamithope.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Western Entrance
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|8|7|23|N|77|29|48|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari]]
| location = [[Swamithoppe]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Vaikundar ([[Trimurthi]]), Lakshmi, Narayana
| festivals= [[Ayya Vaikunda Avataram]]<br />[[Kodiyettru Thirunal]]<br />[[Panguni Theertham]]
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]{{sfn|Urwick|2007|p=58}}
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}
'''Swamithoppu Pathi''' ({{langx|ta|சுவாமிதோப்பு பதி}}, ''Swamithoppu-pathi'', ''Manavai-pathi, [[Detchanam|Detchana-pathi]],'' or ''Thamarai-pathi'') is the primary [[pathi]] of the [[Ayyavazhi]] and the sacred venue of the [[Tavam of Vaikundar|Tavam]]. Swamithope is considered primary among the [[Pancha pathi]] and the primary centre of the incarnational activities of Vaikundar.

According to the [[Ayyavazhi]] legends, [[Ayya Vaikundar|Lord Vaikundar]], an incarnation of Lord [[Narayana]], carried out his [[tavam]] at [[Poovantanthoppe]], attracting many followers across [[India]].<ref>C. Paulose, ''Advaita Philosophy of Brahmasri Chattampi Swamikal'', Chapter 2, p. 24: "To propagate his teachings and ideas he opened upon 7 Patis and 7 Tangs in Travancore and hundreds of small Pagodas through India."</ref> Upon his death, Lord Vaikundar is believed to have been interred there, with the square-shaped 'pathi' constructed to envelop him. The holy book [[Akilathirattu ammanai|Akilathirattu Ammanai]] of Ayyavazhi refers to the [[temple]] as "Thoppuppathi".

==Genesis and history==

As per [[Akilam]], Lord Vaikundar incarnated from the sea, and after providing rules and regulations to godheads, he came to [[Detchanam]] (Swamithoppe). He performed [[Tavam of Vaikundar|Tavam for six years]] in the [[Vatakku Vasal|Vada-va-mugam]] of Swamithoppe. When the [[Kalineesan]] came to arrest him, he retreated into the sea at [[Muttappathi]]. When he later returned to Swamithoppe, he was arrested.<ref>Manibharathi, "Samithoppu Ayya Narayana Cuvami - 3" in Tina Tanti Kutumba Malar, in dt.08-01-1995, Page-4</ref> In Tamil, his incarnation, retreat, and return are collectively known as the [[Vinchai]].

After his trial, his devotees carried him to Swamithoppe in a vahana. There, he incinerated the evil spirits and unified the Seven Virgins by himself through marriage. This ceremony took place in [[Ambalappathi]]. He returned to Swamithoppe afterward.

According to [[Akilathirattu Ammanai]], Swamithoppe is the only place [[Narayana]] ([[Vaikundar]]) slept (in Tamil: Pallikolluthal) after the incarnation. He sent 700 families to [[Vakaippathi]] to perform [[Thuvayal Thavasu]] and organise festivals and celebrations. After all of the Avathara Ekanais, he attained [[Vaikundam]]; his physical body was interred in the [[Palliyarai]] of Swamithoppe.<ref>''Frederic Wilkinson'', "Report of the Nagercoil Mission District for the year 1864", ARTDC for the year 1864, page-4.</ref>

==Architecture and structure==
[[File:The blue print of Swamithope Pathi.png|230px|left|thumb|Blueprint of Swamithoppe Pathi]]
The Palliyarai contains two [[oil lamp]]s (''kuthuvilakku''), an ''[[elunetru]]'', and a large mirror. On a raised pedestal and covered with kavi cloth, the temple also preserves some articles believed to have been used by Ayya Vaikuntar. This includes a [[rattan]] cane (''perampu'') and a pair of wooden sandals. Inner corridors surround the Palliyarai.

There is a fifty-five-foot-tall flag mast at a distance of 50 feet from [[Palliyarai]]. North of the flag mast is an Unpanpurai. Here, they cook food and distribute it to devotees. In addition, there is Paal Kinaru in the extreme east, [[Vatakku Vasal]] in the north, and Sivaye Medai (also called Karuda Medai) in the west. The outer corridors surrounded all these. There is also a Sivalinga and an Amman Sannathi near the outer corridors. About 300 metres from the main path, there is a shared well. [[Akilathirattu Ammanai|Akilattirattu Ammanai]] states that all eighteen castes take baths in that well. It was considered sacred to bathe in and drink the water from that well. There is a bell tower above the spot where [[Vaikundar]] performed the [[Tavam]]. On the door of the [[Swamithoppe]] [[Palliyarai]] is a carving of the [[Dashavatara|ten avatars of Vishnu]].

The main celebration of Swamithoppe includes [[Kodiyettru Thirunal]], which is celebrated three times a year during the Tamil months of Vaikasi, Aavani, and Thai. It starts with Kodiyetrru (flag hoisting) and ends on the eleventh day with a car procession. People from different parts of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]] participate in this festival.<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20110426154212/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/06/01/stories/2004060105940400.htm The Hindu Report on the Car festival in Swamithoppe]}}</ref><ref>[[Dina Thanthi|The Daily Thanthi]] ([[Nagercoil]] Edition), 29-1-2007, Page 12, "Devotees from the districts of [[Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari]], [[Tirunelveli]], [[Thoothukkudi]], [[Theni]], [[Chennai]], [[Coimbatore]] and also from the State of [[Kerala]] participated in the Car festival."</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080202160115/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/29/stories/2008012954390600.htm The Hindu report] on the Car festival at Swamithope on 29 January 2008.</ref><ref>[[Dina Thanthi|The Daily Thanthi]] ([[Nagercoil]] Edition), 3-6-2008, Page 11, "Thousands of devotees from the districts of [[Madurai]], [[Tirunelveli]], [[Thoothukkudi]], [[Theni]], [[Coimbatore]] and also from the State of [[Kerala]] participated in the Car festival."</ref> Then there was [[Thiru Edu-Vasippu|Thiru Eadu Vasippu]], a seventeen-day festival during which the whole contents of Akilattirattu Ammanai were read melodiously. It was celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai, the month in which Hari Gopalan Citar wrote it.

===Nitham Thirunal===
[[File:Ten Incarnation door.jpg|thumb|The door of [[Swamithoppe]] [[Palliyarai]] with the [[Dashavatara|ten avatars of Vishnu]] carved on it]]

As per the instructions in [[Akilam]], the [[Swamithope pathi|Swamithope Pathi]] conducts a daily festival, and every day is considered a festival day. The ritual practices conducted during festival days are conducted here throughout the year, though not on a grand scale as during the other festivals. The daily [[Panividai]] starts very early in the morning. Every day, around 3a.m., the Dharmagharttas and the people staying at the temple go to [[Muthirikkinaru]] and take a holy bath. They return to the [[Pathi]] and start the panividai. The [[Payyan dynasty|Payyan]] chants [[Ukappatippu]], and the devotees repeat it. Then they open the door of the sanctum sanctorum. Witnessing this scene with the sound of a dozen temple bells and conch is considered sanctifying. Then there is the [[Vahana pavani]].

Vahana Pavani comes around the temple and along the four-car streets, first through the Santhana Veethi and then through the [[Temple car|Ratha]] Veethi. The [[Nithiyapal]] is prepared daily and offered to [[Ayya Vaikundar]] ritually. It was the only food Ayya believed to be eaten when in human form at Swamithoppe. Thavanaipal, a gruel prepared with rice and green gramme, is distributed to the devotees.

The noon [[Panividai]] starts around 11a.m. Daily [[Ucchipatippu]] is chanted. The devotees will repeat it, and Thavanaipal is distributed to the devotees. On Sundays, many people from far and near come here to participate in the Ucchipatippu.

[[File:Vadakku Vasal Chair.JPG|235px|thumb|right|The asana at the Vada-va-mugam, the sacred venue of the [[Tavam of Vaikundar|Tavam]]]]

In the evening, panividai starts around 5p.m. The sanctum sanctorum door is opened amidst the sound of the temple bells and [[conch]]. Then, the Payyan would chant ukappatippu. Those followers who congregate for the evening panividai would repeat this. Then, there will be vahana panividai. The Vahana is taken around the temple and the four-car streets. After this, there will be [[Annadharmam]].{{fact|date=May 2024}}

This is the daily routine of [[Swamithoppe pathi|Swamithoppe Pathi]]. One can worship at any time of the day in this temple.{{fact|date=May 2024}}

[[File:Avatara oorvalam.jpg|235px|thumb|left|The Great Masi Procession' from [[Nagercoil]] to [[Swamithope]].]]

===Ayya Vaikunda Avataram===
The most important festival is [[Ayya Vaikunda Avataram|Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, or Vaikunda Jayanthi]], the day on which [[Ayya Vaikundar|Lord Vaikundar]] incarnated from the sea at [[Tiruchendur]]. Though many worship centres, including other [[Pathi|Pathis]], conduct celebrations during this festival, it is considered sacred to visit Swamithoppe on this day. So on this day, Swamithoppe will get populated with the nationwide [[Ayyavazhi]] followers.{{fact|date=May 2024}}

This is the largest festival conducted in Swamithope Pathi. Several processions were held on the day, which started from different places, including Thiruchendur and Thiruvananthapuram, and ended at [[Swamithoppe]].{{fact|date=May 2024}}

==Location==
[[File:Location of Pancha Pathi.png|235px|thumb|right|Location of Swamithope pathi and other [[Pathi]]s]]
Swamithoppe Pathi is the primary [[pathi]] of the [[Pancha pathi|five pathis]] of [[Ayyavazhi]] and its geographical focal point. Swamithoppe Pathi is located in the town of [[Swamithope]], which lies southeast of the city of [[Nagercoil]]. Nagercoil is the headquarters (capital) of the [[Kanyakumari district|District of Kanyakumari]] in the State of [[Tamil Nadu]], at the extreme southern tip of India. [[Swamithope]] lies about halfway between the cities of [[Nagercoil]] and [[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanniyakumari]] on the [[Eathancaud]]-Manakkudi road.

This Pathi lies north of all other [[Pathi]]s within [[Pancha pathi]]. [[Nagercoil]] (12 km) is the nearest railway station, and [[Thiruvananthapuram]] (94 km) is the nearest international airport. Town buses are available to Swamithope from [[Nagercoil]] and [[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]].

==See also==
*[[Ayyavazhi mythology]]
*[[Pancha pathi]]
*[[Ambala Pathi]]
*[[Poo Pathi]]
*[[Pancha pathi#Mutta Pathi|Mutta Pathi]]
*[[Pancha pathi#Thamaraikulam Pathi|Thamaraikulam Pathi]]
*[[Avathara Pathi]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wikibooks}}
{{Wikivoyage|Swamithoppu}}

* [http://ayyavaikundar.com/lord_vaikundar_english/ www.ayyavaikundar.com]
* [http://www.vaikundar.com/history-of-ayya-vaikundar.aspx www.vaikundar.com]
* [http://www.vaikunt.org/AyyaVaikuntar/ www.vaikunt.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051124171109/http://www.ayyavaigundar.org/avatar.htm#23 www.ayyavaigundar.org]
*[http://ayyavazhi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=40 www.ayyavazhi.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071009031519/http://www.tsi.org.in/conference/chennai_tourism.asp#temple www.tsi.org.in]
*[https://www.india9.com/i9show/Swamithope-62475.htm www.india9.com]
{{Ayyavazhi large}}
{{Regions of Kanyakumari}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swamithope Pathi}}
[[Category:Holy cities]]
[[Category:Pancha pathi]]
[[Category:Ayya Vaikundar]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Kanyakumari district]]

Swamithope Pathi - Revision history

Souravroyjournalist: made a details.