Ajay Kumar at 17:09, 26 August 2023

2023-08-26T17:09:14Z

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{{Short description|Tamil festival}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Ayyavazhi}}
The '''Ayya Vaikunda Avataram or Vaikunda Jayanthi''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: அய்யா வைகுண்ட அவதாரம் or வைகுண்ட ஜெயந்தி - ''Incarnation of Lord Vaikundar'') is a festival celebrated by the followers of [[Ayyavazhi]] on the 20th day of the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of Masi, the date on which the Ayyavazhi followers believe that [[Vishnu|Lord Narayana]] himself incarnated as Vaikundar during an encounter with a deity Goddess Lakshmi, he was beget inside the sea and arose from the sea of [[Thiruchendur]] on Kollam Year 1008 at 20th day of Tamil Month Masi (1 March 1833 CE, Friday). He took the human form as Narayana Pantaram at Tharuvaiyur near seashore to destroy the evil spirit of [[Kali]] and transform the [[Kaliyukam]] into [[Dharma Yukam]].

This is the only [[Ayyavazhi]] festival which is celebrated simultaneously in all worship centres of Ayyavazhi on 19th Masi, the day before the date of incarnation of [[Vaikundar]]. The [[Ayya Vaikunda Avatharam|Vaikunda Jayanthi]] festival is a restricted holiday for the states of [[Tamil Nadu]] and Kerala. It is also a local holiday for the districts of [[Kanyakumari]], [[Tirunelveli]] and [[Tuticorin]] districts. [[Vaikunda Avatara Orvalam|The Great Masi Procession]] from [[Nagercoil]] to [[Swamithope]] on the Avatar day is one among the largest religious processions in [[Tamil Nadu]].

==Processions==
A grand procession originates from Thiruchendur to Nagercoil on the 19th of Masi representing the way of Vaikundar after the Avataram to [[Detchanam]], and another procession starts from [[Thiruvananthapuram]] to [[Nagercoil]], on the same date representing the release of [[Ayya Vaikundar|Lord Vaikundar]] from the jail of Singarathoppe. Both meet at [[Nagercoil]] in the evening and at the next early morning, on the 20th of Masi the '''[[The Vaikunda Avatara Orvalam|Vaikunda Jayanthi Orvalam]]''' originates from [[Nagercoil]] to [[Swamithope Pathi|Swamithoppe]] with several devotees. This is one of the largest festivals of the district which attracts a large crowd.

===Thiruchendur Procession===
As per the scriptures of [[Ayyavazhi]] the incarnation of [[Vaikundar]] was from the Sea of [[Thiruchendur|Tiruchendur]] on 20th of Masi. So on celebrating this event the nationwide followers of Ayyavazhi assemble at Tiruchendur on that day (19th Masi or 3 March) at [[Avatharappathi]], the [[Pathi]] erected on the sea-shore where Vaikundar is believed to be incarnated.

[[File:181-st Vaikunda Avataram Tiruchendur.jpg|200px|thumb|right|181-st Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, [[Avathara Pathi]], [[Tiruchendur]]]]

On 18th Masi, (previous day) night the festival at [[Thiruchendur|Tiruchendur]] is celebrated in a grand scale and several conferences, cultural programs and [[Anna Dharmam]]s were held and the celebration goes on for the full night. Then on the 19th Masi morning, around 8 O' clock the people assembled there will take a holy bath in the Sea of Thiruchendur under the leadership of [[Avathara Pathi|Avathara pathi]] Dharmaghartta's. This practise of taking bath (holy dip) at [[Thiruchendur]] on the day of Vaikunda Avatar is considered sacred. The Dharmaghartta's applies sacred 'Namam' on everybody's forehead. Then around 9 O' clock the procession starts from [[Tiruchendur]] under the leadership of Dharmaghartta's. The people follows Dharmaghartta's chanting ''"Ayya Siva-siva Siva-siva ara-kara ara-kara"''. Several vehicles such as trucks, vans and cars follow the procession.

The procession goes through [[Seerkatchi]], [[Nainarpathu]], [[Udangudi]], [[Chettiarpuram]], [[Theriyoor]], [[Santhayadi]], Kottankadu, [[Muthukrishnapuram]], [[Padukkapathu]], [[Thattarmadam]], [[Thisayanvilai]] and reaches [[Erumaikulam]] at noon. Here the people participate in [[Anna Dharmam]]. Then, the procession starts from here and travels through [[Ayankulam]], [[Karaichuthupudur]], [[Koodankulam]], [[Chettikulam]], [[Chalaipudur]], [[Avaraikulam]], [[Ambalavanapuram]], [[Aralvaimozhi]], [[Thovalai]] and reaches [[Athalavilai]].

===Thiruvananthapuram Procession===
[[File:Vaikunda Avathara Orvalam kids.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Kids dancing during 'The Great Masi Procession.']]
[[Ayya Vaikundar|Lord Vaikundar]], was released from the Jail of [[Singarathoppe]] on 19th Masi, (3 March) after the trial with the king of [[Travancore]], [[Swathi Thirunal]]. After the release Lord was carried in a [[Vahana]] to [[Swamithoppe]], by his followers. So on celebrating this event the people used to go to [[Thiruvananthapuram]] on that day and go as a procession to [[Swamithoppe]].

Though religiously, this celebration is not associated with the incarnation of Vaikundar, since it coincides with that day it too is commonly seen as an incarnational fest and is celebrated in the same vein. Though this was an on-foot procession for some years, now it was changed as a vehicle procession. Most of the people who participate in this procession are from [[Kerala]]. Like wise the [[Tiruchendur]] procession.

The procession starts from [[East Fort]] to [[Nagercoil]] through the [[Thiruvananthapuram]] - [[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]] Highway (NH - 47). It passes through the towns of [[Balaramapuram]], [[Parasala]], [[Kaliyakkavilai]], [[Marthandam]], and [[Thuckalay]] and finally reaches [[Athalavilai]] around 6.30 pm.

==Celebration in Nagercoil==

Both the Thiruchendur and Thiruvananthapuram processions unifies at [[Athalavilai]]. The Vaikunda Jyothi is lighted on the top of a hillock [[Vaikunda Malai]] at Athalavilai. Then the procession proceeds to Nagercoil. A religious conference is held there in Nagercoil. Eminent persons participate in the conference. It is followed by cultural and religious programs etc. [[Ayyavazhi]] devotees from all over the nation stays here over the night.

==The Great Masi Procession==
[[File:Avatara oorvalam.jpg|180px|thumb|right|'' 'The Great Masi Procession' '' from [[Nagercoil]] to [[Swamithope]].]]
On the next day on 20th of Masi, (4 March) 'The Great Masi Procession' begins early in the morning from [[Nagercoil]]. The Dharmaghartta's usually will lead the procession. A decorated [[vahana]] is carried in front of the procession in which the [[Akilathirattu Ammanai]] (palm-leaf version) is sacredly placed. This is an on-foot procession and people walk following the vahana, chanting Ayya '' 'Siva-siva Siva-siva Ara-kara Ara-kara' ''. The participants will hold a saffron flag on their hands. Decorated [[Elephant]]s and [[horse]]s participate in this procession.

The procession goes through [[Edalakudi]], [[Suchindrum]], [[Vazukamparai]], [[Ethankadu]], [[North Thamaraikulam]]. As a sign of religious harmony, people of different faiths, [[Christians]] at [[Kottar]]; [[Muslims]] at [[Edalakkudi]]; and [[Hindus]] at [[Suchindram]]; welcome the procession by offering churul or garlands on the way. The procession reaches [[Swamithoppe]] at 12 noon and goes to the [[Muthirikkinaru]] first and then through the four car streets (Ratha veethi) of [[Swamithope pathi]]. Then it goes around the Santhana veethi, the inner-circumambulating route of pathi (shown in the blue print above). Before entering the [[Pathi]] the people hand over the flags at the pathi.
[[File:The Great Masi Procession.jpg|180px|thumb|right|A part of worshippers in the Procession]]

Lakhs of Ayyavazhi followers participate in this procession,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hindu (Tamil)|first1=The|title=The God you seek is within you|url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/society/spirituality/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%80-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%89%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D/article6962293.ece|access-date=1 March 2016|publisher=Kasturi & Sons|date=5 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="Nagercoil Edition Page 8">[[Dina Malar]], (5 March 2007) Nagercoil Edition, Page 8.</ref><ref>[[Dina Thanthi]], (5 March 2007) Tirunelveli Edition, Page 2.</ref> and thousands of Vehicles follows.<ref name="Nagercoil Edition Page 8"/> So the transport on [[Nagercoil]]-[[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]] Highway will be closed on that day till noon. This is one of the largest festivals of the state which attracts a huge crowd beyond the state.<ref>Daily Thanthi, ''Daily'', Nagercoil Edition, 5 March 2006.</ref><ref>Thamizh Murasu, ''Evening Daily'', Nagercoil Edition, 4 March 2006.</ref>

This day was announced as a holiday by the government of [[Tamil Nadu]] for the districts of Kanyakumari from 1993 and for [[Tirunelveli]] and [[Tuticorin]] from the year 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dinamalar.com/2007mar05/district/kanyakumari.asp#3%20(Dinamalar)|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927021744/http://www.dinamalar.com/2007mar05/district/kanyakumari.asp|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2007-09-27|title= Dina Malar|access-date=2007-03-05 |format= Kanyakumari District|work= Ayya Vaikundar Avathara Dina Vizha}} </ref>

==Other processions==

Also, several other [[Pathi]]s too conduct processions on that day. Apart from these, the festival is also celebrated all over Tamil Nadu<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030218740300.htm|title= Title unknown|access-date=2007-02-07 |format= Engagements|location=Chennai, India| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070304091433/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030218740300.htm| archive-date= 4 March 2007 |work= [[The Hindu]]|date= 2007-03-02| url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007030419620300.htm&date=2007/03/04/&prd=th&|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081216090339/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007030419620300.htm&date=2007/03/04/&prd=th&|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 16 December 2008|title= The Hindu|access-date=2007-02-07 |format= In Coimbatore today|work= Ayya Vaikunta Sivapathi}}</ref> and Kerala<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/09/stories/2006030924320300.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121025131522/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/09/stories/2006030924320300.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2012-10-25|title= Title unknown|access-date=2007-09-16 |format= Around the City|location=Chennai, India|work= [[The Hindu]]|date=2006-03-09}}</ref> grandly with processions in some [[Nizhal Thangal|Thangal]]s including in [[Chennai]] in which thousands participate.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://satrumun.blogspot.com/2007/03/175.html|title= satrumun|access-date=2007-03-07 |format= தமிழ்நாடு|work= ஐயா வைகுண்டசாமியின் 175-வது அவதார திருநாள்|date= 4 March 2007}}</ref>

==See also==
{{wikinews|Ayya Vaikunda Avataram declared as a holiday for Tirunelveli district}}
{{wikibooks}}
* [[List of Ayyavazhi-related articles]]
* [[Ayyavazhi mythology]]
* [[Ayya Vaikundar]]
* [[Avatharappathi]]
* [[Singarathoppe]]
* [[Swamithope pathi]]

==Citations==
<references group="https://tricshindi.blogspot.com/search/label/aaj%20ka%20rashiphal" />

==References==
* G. Patrick's, ''Religion and Subaltern Agency'', University of Madras, 2003.
* N. Elango and Vijaya Shanthi Elango's, ''Ayya Vaikuntar - The Light of the World'', 2000.
* ''[[The Hindu]]'', [[Thiruvananthapuram]] Edition, 5 March 2007.
* [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2959703.ece Thousands take part in Ayya Vaikundar Avatar day - The Hindu]
*[https://www.maalaimalar.com/timeline/kalasuvadugal/2020/03/03005729/1298901/Ayya-Vaikundar-Avatar-day.vpf Ayya Vaikundar Avatar day - The Maalaimalar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208194039/https://www.maalaimalar.com/timeline/kalasuvadugal/2020/03/03005729/1298901/Ayya-Vaikundar-Avatar-day.vpf |date=8 December 2021 }}

{{Ayyavazhi large}}
{{Hindu festivals}}

[[Category:History of Ayyavazhi]]
[[Category:Ayya Vaikundar]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Ayyavazhi mythology]]
[[Category:Hindu holy days]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Kerala]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:March observances]]
[[Category:Festivals in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]

Ayya Vaikunda Avataram - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 17:09, 26 August 2023