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Nizhal Thangal (Tamil :நிழல் தாங்கல் ; also called Inai Thangals) is a simple temple of the Ayyavazhi, built per the instructions of Akilattirattu Ammanai by commoners in order to worship without distinction of color, race or caste. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated Ayyavazhi theology is the Theology of a South Indian religious faith and officially an offshoot of Hinduism known as Ayyavazhi. Ekam Tamil: ஏகம் - "the supreme oneness" is the term used in Akilattirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi, to represent The Brahma is the Hindu god ( deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva Ayya Vaikundar (அய்யா வைகுண்டர் according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu (father sovereign According to the Ayyavazhi religion the Ayyavazhi Trinity is the incarnation of God in the current stage of world development ( Kali Yukam) The Akilattirattu Ammanai and Arul Nool are the scriptures of Ayyavazhi. The Akilam one is the first among the seventeen parts of Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi. Akilam Two is the second among the seventeen parts of Akilattirattu Ammanai, the scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Akilam three is the third among the seventeen parts of the religious book Akilattirattu Ammanai of Ayyavazhi religion Akilam four is the fourth section of Akilattirattu Ammanai, the primary scripture of Ayyavazhi. Akilam Five is the fifth section of Akilam, which is the primary scripture of Ayyavazhi. Akilam six is the sixth section of Akilam, the primary holy text of Ayyavazhi. The Akilam seven is the seventh sub-section of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Akilam eight is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai, the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, a religion of India. The Akilam nine is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Akilam ten is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India. The Akilam eleven is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India. The Akilam twelve is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India. The Akilam thirteen is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India The Akilam fourteen is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India The Akilam fifteen is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai which was the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Akilam sixteen is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India The Akilam seventeen is one of the sub-sections of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, one of the fastest growing religions of India The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect The Nadutheervai (judgement + Ula (journey The journey to final judgement is a part of Arul Nool, one among the sources of Ayyavazhi mythology The Pothippu is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool which was the secondary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Saattu Neettolai is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool. The Patthiram is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool. The author of the content is unknown The Panchadevar Urppatthi is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool. The Sivakanta Athikarappatthiram is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool which was the secondary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Thingal patham is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool which was the secondary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Saptha Kannimar Padal is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool which was the secondary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect The holy places of Ayyavazhi includes the following Primary Pathis Swamithope pathi Ambala Pathi Mutta Pathi Swamithoppe Pathi ( Tamil:சுவாமிதோப்பு பதி Swamithoppu-pathi, Manavai-pathi, Thamarai-pathi or Thalaimaippathi Ambala Pathi (அம்பல பதி also called as Pallathu pathi or Moolakunda pathi is one of the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi, and the second Mutta Pathi ( Tamil:முட்ட பதி is one of the Pancha pathi, which are the primary centers for worship of the Ayyavazhi. Thamaraikulam Pathi ( Tamil:தாமரைகுளம் பதி is one among the Pancha pathi, the five holy places of Ayyavazhi. Poo Pathi (பூப்பதி is one among the Pancha pathi, which are the primary worship centers and holi places of Ayyavazhi. Pathi ( Tamil:பதி - "The place where God is" is the name asserted to the primary centres of congregational Vakaippathi, one among the Panchappathis is a holy site for the People of Ayyavazhi. Avathara Pathi is a phrase in Tamil which represents 'The place where God incarnates' Nizhal Thangal ( Tamil:நிழல் தாங்கல்; also called Inai Thangals) is a simple temple This Nizhal Thangal is situated 3 km west to Swamithope. There was a zeouse devotee for Vaikundar during his period This Thangal of Agastheeswaram was the second among the Primary Nizhal Thangals This Thangal of Paloor was the third among the Primary Nizhal Thangals This Thangal of Sundavilai was the fourth among the Primary Nizhal Thangals Very little information was know regarding the history of this thangal This Thangal of Vadalivilai was the fifth among the Primary Nizhal Thangals This Thangal of Kadambankulam was the sixth among the Primary Nizhal Thangals This Thangal of Pambankulam was the seventh among the Primary Nizhal Thangals Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Advaita Vedanta ( IAST Advaita Vedānta; Sanskrit अद्वैत वेदान्त əd̪vait̪ə veːd̪ɑːnt̪ə is a sub-school of the Smartism (or Smarta Sampradaya, Smarta Tradition, as termed in Sanskrit) is a denomination of the Hindu Shaivism, also spelled "Saivism" names the oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and This is an article comparing the Beliefs Mythology, Theology, Rituals etc of Ayyavazhi and Hinduism. Ayyavazhi, a belief system originating from South India, is mentioned in a number of reports by Christian missionaries in the 19th century Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated Castes are Hereditary systems of occupation, Endogamy, social culture, Social class, and Political power. Cleanliness is strictly enforced: there are no sacrifices, no incenses, no arathi and no poojari. Sacrifice (from a Middle English verb meaning "to make sacred" from Old French, from Latin sacrificium: sacr, "sacred" For the similarly spelled Christian movement see Arathi. Aarti, ãrti, arathi, Aarthi, or ãrati

Though the common people, mainly in early times call them as Narayanaswami koil or Narayanaswami pathi, the Ayyavazhi scriptures consider these centers distinct from The Pathis. Pathi ( Tamil:பதி - "The place where God is" is the name asserted to the primary centres of congregational They call these worship centers, which were not associated with the religious activities of Vaikundar as 'Inai Thangals'. Ayya Vaikundar (அய்யா வைகுண்டர் according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu (father sovereign

Contents

History

The Palliyarai of a Nizhal Thangal near Thiruvattar, Tamil Nadu
The Palliyarai of a Nizhal Thangal near Thiruvattar, Tamil Nadu

After the trial of Vaikundar with the king of Travancore, the followers built religious centers following his instructions to propagate his teachings which were called as Nizhal Thangal. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Thiruvattaru is a Panchayat town in Kanniyakumari district in the Indian state Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Akilattirattu Ammanai call this as religious schools. The LMS reports too speak in abundance about these worship centers[1][2][3][4]

Tamil is the official language of worship, and the object of worship is Lord Narayana with the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Narayana ( Sanskrit: नारायण nārāyaṇa) or Narayan is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary Brahma is the Hindu god ( deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva Nizhal Thangals in Chettikudiyiruppu, Agastheeswaram, Paloor, Sundavilai, Vadalivilai, Kadambankulam and Pambankulam were established during the period of Vaikundar per Akilam. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Agastheeswaram is a Panchayat town in Kanniyakumari district in the Indian state Ayya Vaikundar (அய்யா வைகுண்டர் according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu (father sovereign And after a large number of Thangals were established throughout India. [5][6] There are more than 8000 worship centres[7] throughout India[8]

These Nizhal Thangals formed place in the socio-religious life of the people. All the people were brought together here irrespective of caste distinctions. The mode and formalities of worship were revolutionalised in these centers.

Architecture and Structure

A Nizhal Thangal near Marthandam, Tamil Nadu
A Nizhal Thangal near Marthandam, Tamil Nadu

Unlike Pathis this Thangals were of small size. Martandam is the second biggest town next to Nagercoil and also a major trade centre across National Highway (NH 47 in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Pathi ( Tamil:பதி - "The place where God is" is the name asserted to the primary centres of congregational Inside the Nizhal Thangals, no murti or idol is used. In Hinduism, a murti ( Devanagari: मूर्ति typically refers to an image a deity in which the Divine Spirit is expressed ( murta) In the practice of Religion, a cult image is a man-made object that is venerated for the Deity, spirit or Daemon that it embodies or represents The Palliyarai of Thangals generally seems similar to Pathis. Palliyarai(Palli+(Araiis a Tamil word used for the Sanctum Sanctoram in Hindu temples But inside, in most of the Thangals instead of raised pedestal, chairs were placed as asanas in which the saffron or silk cloths are wrapped-around. A garland made of rudraksha (string of rudraksha beads) is placed around the neck of the asana. Rudraksha (Sanskrit rudrākṣa) ("Rudra-eyed" is the name of the dark berries of Elaeocarpus ganitrus, used to make prayer beads (Sanskrit Asana ( Sanskrit आसन sitting down < आस to sit down) is a body position typically associated with the practice of Yoga, intended Mirrors were placed behind. In front of these there will be two standing oil lamps(kuthu vilakku)made of brass, each placed on the either side of the asana.

In some of the Thangals there will be inner corridors as pathis to circumambulate the Palliyarai. Palliyarai(Palli+(Araiis a Tamil word used for the Sanctum Sanctoram in Hindu temples A hall is attached to this palliyarai for the worshippers. In some of the Thangals there are flag masts, Vahanas and temple cars etc. Vâhana or a Hindu vehicle, sometimes called a mount, is an animal mythical entity or Chimera (or sometimes a divine attribute closely Temple cars are Chariots used to carry idols of Hindu gods. The car pulling is usually on festival days where many folks pull the cart

Administration

Some of the thangals were built and maintained by single individuals, some by various organisations and some built as town or village-commons. Since Ayyavazhi is not an organised religion, thangals are not officially controlled by Swamithoppe, though it was considered as the religious head-quarters. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Swamithope (alternate spelling Swamithoppe) is the name of a town that lies southeast of the City of It was considered ritualistic by the Ayyavazhi followers to lay foundation stones for new Thangals by some one from Payyan dynasty. Payyan dynasty is a family which manage and administer Swamithope pathi, the head quarters of Ayyavazhi. It seems that the scriptures too give a high status to them in such matters. A survey from the year 2004 states that there are more than 8000 Nizhal Thangals throughout South India mostly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; [9]

Some Nizhal Thangals serve as community centers, with facilities to cook for large crowds of people; others serve as schools for the community and some as both.

Prayer and Rituals

A Churul kept prepared to be offered to Panividai
A Churul kept prepared to be offered to Panividai

Though the Ayyavazhi scriptures says about a three-time-worship in common for Nizal Thangals and Pathis, most of the Nizhal Thangals use to conduct Panividais (poojas) only twice per day. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated Pathi ( Tamil:பதி - "The place where God is" is the name asserted to the primary centres of congregational The three time worship includes Ukappadippu along with Pothippu at the dawn and at the dusk and the Ucchippadippu in the noon. The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect The Pothippu is one of the sub-sections of Arul Nool which was the secondary scripture of Ayyavazhi. The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect

But most of the Nizhal Thangals conduct this Ucchippadippu on every Sundays seven times collectively, considering one time per day of a week. The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a Holy script of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect [10] On that days Anna Dharmam (charity on food) is conducted. Anna Dharmam is a term used for an Ayyavazhi ritual that involves sharing food without inter-dining Some Thangals use conduct this Ucchippadippu on Fridays too. While at few Thangals, which were run by single individuals, the Panividai is conducted only once per day in the evening.

Pal vaippu

This 'Pai vaippu' is a festival in which the rice boiled in milk and used to serve as grew. At present every worship centers of Ayyavazhi has this practice at least once in a month, while in some other Thangals it was conducted once in a week. During this Pal vaippu cooked rice is also served in addition to this 'Pal' as an action of charity. During this days as ritualistic actions, the 'Periya Ukappadippu' (the extended Ukappadippu), ' Thana Niraivu Vasakam ' and 'Vazappadippu' is also sunged in the evening as additional form of Prayers during this days.

Festivals

The main form festival which is conducted in Nizhal Thangals are The Thiru Eadu Vasippu and the Vaikunda Avatharam. The Thiru-Eadu Vasippu was conducted for several days while the Vaikunda Avatharam celebration is mostly for a day of time in Nizhal Thangals. Some Thangals use to conduct Annual festivals too.

Thiru-Eadu Vasippu

The Panividais kept for the festival of Thirukkalyana Vasippu
The Panividais kept for the festival of Thirukkalyana Vasippu

This Thiru Eadu Vasippu, the ritual reading and expatiation of the Holy book Akilam, is an important religious observance of Ayyavazhi. During this days the morning Panivadais are conducted as usual, while in the evening Akilam the scripture of Ayyavazhi is read melodiously by two talented persons and another person use to explain the read verses in a prose form. At the end of every days Anna Dharmam was conducted. This festival was conducted in several Nizhal Thangals for seventeen days (as in Pathis) and the whole content is read-finished. While some other thangals conduct this for three, five, seven, or ten days term reading selected part from the scripture.

Some thangals conduct this Thiru-Eadu Vasippu along with the Annual festivals while on some other centers annual festivals are celebrated separately. During that days ' Vahanam Eduppu ' is conducted in which the asanam is carried on Vahanas (vehicles) as processions by the followers.

Vaikunda Avatharam

This was the only festival in Ayyavazhi, which is celebrated at a time throughout all the worhip centers across the country. During this festival on 19th masi (March 3rd) the day before the Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, the Nizhal Thangals used to conduct one day festival for a grand scale along with Anna Dharmam throughout the day. The Ayya Vaikunda Avataram ( Tamil: அய்யா வைகுண்ட அவதாரம் - Incarnation of Vaikundar) is a festival celebrated by the followers On the next day 20th of the Tamil month masi, (4th March) all the followers used to visit Panchappathis and so most of the Thangals remain closed while some thangals used to continue the festival as the previous day. Pancha pathi பஞ்ச பதி ( Tamil: The five abodes of God) are the five important pilgrim centers of Ayyavazhi.

Citations

  1. ^ Cf. J. F. Gannaway,"Report of the James Town Mission District for the year 1863", in Annual Report of the Travancore District Committee in Connection with the LMS for the year 1863, page 4.
  2. ^ Frederick Baylis,"Report of the Neyoor Mission District", in ARTDC for the year 1869, page 15.
  3. ^ Ebenezer Lewis,"Report of the Santhapuram District for the year 1858", in ARTDC for the year 1858.
  4. ^ Frederick Wilkinson,"Report of the Nagercoil Mission District", in ARTDC for the year 1864, page 4.
  5. ^ Dr. C. Poulose's, Advaita Philosophy of Brahmasri Chattampi Swamikal, 2002, Chapter 2, page 24.
  6. ^ Sujibala without a blouse in Ayyavazhi (Comment on the Tamil film 'Ayyavazhi'). "Now there are thousands of temples erected in honour of Vaigundaswamy. ". Retrieved on 2007-05-24. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned
  7. ^ Tha. Krishna Nathan's, Ayyaa vaikuNdarin vaazvum sinthanaiyum (Tamil), Chapter - 4, page 83: "இதற்கு ஆதாரமாக அய்யா வைகுண்டரைத் தெய்வமாக ஏற்றுக்கொண்ட சுமார் 8000 - க்கும் மேற்பட்ட அய்யாவழிப் பதிகள் தமிழ்நாடு மற்றும் கேரளப்பகுதிகளில் இயங்குவதைக் கூறலாம். " (This citation was included here from Tamil wikipedia article)
  8. ^ Dr. C. Poulose, Advaita Philosophy of Brahmasri Chattampi Swamikal, (Doctoral thesis in Sree Sankaracaharaya University of Sanskrit, Kalady. ) Page 24, "To propagate his teachings and ideas he opened upon 7 Pathis and 7 Tangs (The Primary Nizhal Thangals) in Travancore, hundreds of small pagodas (Nizhal Thangals) through out India. " Accrediting the Worship centers of Ayyavazhi across India and so the Ayyavazhi followers. 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, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country
  9. ^ Tha. Krishna Nathan's, ayyaa vaikuNdarin vaazvum sinthanaiyum (Tamil), Chapter - 4, page 83. (This citation was included here from Tamil wikipedia article).
  10. ^ There is an oral tradition that Ayya Vaikundar asked the followers to do so for their comfort. Ayya Vaikundar (அய்யா வைகுண்டர் according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu (father sovereign

References

See also

This is a list of all Wikipedia articles related to Ayyavazhi. Pathi ( Tamil:பதி - "The place where God is" is the name asserted to the primary centres of congregational Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated
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