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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Ayyavazhi}}
The ''[[Pathis]]'' and ''[[Nizhal Thangals]]'', are centers of worship and religious learning for the followers of Ayyavazhi which are established in different parts of [[India]]. They served as centres for propagation of the beliefs and practices of Ayyavazhi. There are more than 8000 worship centers throughout [[India]], mostly in [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]].<ref>Tha.Krishna Nathan's, ayyaa vaikuNdarin vaazvum sinthanaiyum (Tamil), Chapter - 4, page 83. (This citation was included here from [[:ta:அய்யாவழி|Tamil Wikipedia article]]).</ref> The Pathis are given religious importance than the Nizhal Thangals and are considered as primary worship centers. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion, [[Swamithoppepathi]] serves, religiously but not officially, as the headquarters of all.

== Pathis ==
{{main|Pathi}}
Pathis were the important centres of congregational worship, being relatively bigger structures like that of a [[temple]]. They obtain their significance from the fact that Ayya Vaikundar and his activities were historically associated with these centers of worship. They are seven in number. All the Pathis except the [[Avatharappathi]] are situated in the [[Kanyakumari district]]. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion the Swamithope pathi though considered as religious headquarters, it officially does not control the rest of the religious centers. And hence all the Pathis are independently managed by different formed committees or by organisations. Some Pathis are maintained by the native Ayyavazhi followers of that particular area after the period of [[Vaikundar]].

Generally two facts are required to accredit a site as Pathi, They are

# The site(place) should be historically associated with the [[incarnation]]al activities of [[Vaikundar]].
# The site should be mentioned in [[Akilam]] by referring it using the term '' 'Pathi' ''.

===Panchappathis — the Primary Pathis===
{{Main|Pancha pathi}}
The Pathis are calculated as seven including [[Avatharappathi]] and [[Vakaippathi]] as [[Akilam]] call them using the term 'Pathi' and because they are related to the incarnational activities of [[Vaikundar]]. But at present, due to some conflict between the followers in accepting them as equal importance with other Pathis, only the Panchappathis are accepted by the whole mass as Pathis. Also the List of Pathis from the Swamithoppe, the religious headquarters does not include the Pathis other than Panthappathis. The Panchappathis are

# [[Swamithope pathi]]
# [[Ambalappathi]]
# [[Muttappathi]]
# [[Tamaraikulampathi]]
# [[Pooppathi]]

So on such case the Avatharappathi and Vakaippathi will attain its religious status as worship centers between that of [[Pathi]]s and [[Nizhal Thangal]]s. (i.e.) lesser important than Panchappathis and more important than Thangals. In any case [[Swamithope pathi|Swamithoppe]] [[Pathi]] is not only the religious headquarters, but also the center which gains the highest religious importance from the [[incarnation]]al activities of [[Vaikundar]].

==Nizhal Thangals==
{{main|Nizhal Thangal}}
[[Nizhal Thangal]]s were simple small structures built for the purpose of worship and for learning the teachings of [[Ayya Vaikundar]]. They served as centers of education during the early days. [[Food]] and [[wikt:shelter|shelter]] were offered to the needy in these centers. Some of them were established when [[Vaikundar]] was alive.<ref>G.Patrick's ''Religion and Subaltern Agency'' Chapter 5, Page - 118. Vaikuntacami is said to have established seven of these nilaltankalkal at Chettykudiyirrupu, Agastisvaram, Palur, Chundavilai, Vadalivilai, Kadampankulam and Pampankulam.</ref> Even now [[Charity (practice)|charity]] is one of the main activities conducted in these centers.<ref>G.Patrick's ''Religion and Subaltern Agency'' Chapter 5, Page - 118. Even now charity is one of the main activities conducted in these centers.</ref>
[[File:Nizhal Thangal of Kokkanji.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Nizhal Thangal]] of [[Kokkanchi]], one among the famous Thangals is western [[Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari]], Tamil Nadu.]]
These Nizhal Thangals formed place in the socio-religious life of the people. All the people were brought together here irrespective of [[caste]] distinctions which was not usual at that period of time. The mode and formalities of worship were revolutionalised in these centers. Some 7 of the Thangals are constructed even at the time of the earthly life of Vaikundar. Religiously, these seven are considered primary among the Thangals. They are,

#[[Nizhal Thangal of Chettikudiyiruppu|Chettikudiyiruppu]]
#[[Nizhal Thangal of Agastheeswaram|Agastheeswaram]]
#[[Nizhal Thangal of Paloor|Paloor]]
#[[Nizhal Thangal of Sundavilai|Sundavilai]]
#[[Nizhal Thangal of Vadalivilai|Vadalivilai]]
#[[Nizhal Thangal of Kadambankulam|Kadambankulam]]
#[[Nizhal Thangal of Pambankulam|Pambankulam]]

Among the secondary worship centers Thangals, these seven of them are considered primary, and are considered [[sacred]] and seen with historical importance. These are the oldest among the Thangals.

==See also==
*[[List of Ayyavazhi-related articles]]
*[[Ayyavazhi]]
*[[Ayya Vaikundar]]

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*'''G.Patrick's''', ''Religion and Subaltern Agency'', University of Madras, 2003.
*'''N. Elango & Vijaya Shanthi Elango''', ''Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of the World'', 1997.

==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline|Worship centers of Ayyavazhi}}

{{Ayyavazhi large}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Worship Centers Of Ayyavazhi}}
[[Category:Worship centers of Ayyavazhi| ]]
[[Category:Ayyavazhi]]

Worship centers of Ayyavazhi - Revision history

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