Ayya Vaikunda Avataram

A famous religious festival in the southern state Tamil Nadu in India, Ayya Vaikunda Avataram is celebrated to remember the incarnation of Vaikundar. Commonly the followers of Ayyavazhi celebrate this festival according to the Tamil calendar’s Masi month with great zeal. Organized on the 20th day of this Tamil Month, the followers of Ayyavazhi worship Lord Vaikundar on this particular day.

They have a belief that it was the day while Lord Vaikundar had arose from the sea at Thiruchendur as a son of Mummorthies. They further believe that their Lord had arose to destroy the Kali’s evil spirit for the sake of transforming Kaliyukam into the Dharma Yukam for the benefit of masses in the whole region.

History

According to the followers of Ayyavazhi, they take part in Ayya Vaikunda Avataram tradition as this festival prevails in their societies since centuries. It is practiced since centuries with enthusiasm and great zeal. The festival is very much popular in the history of Ayyavazhi community in this region. Unique festival of its kind, Ayya Vaikunda Avataram celebration remains the major attraction in all worship centers where the festival is celebrated. It is a rarest of the Indian festivals which is usually celebrated in the multiple Ayyavazhi centers. The procession remains unique on the 19th Masi which corresponds to March 3rd every year. It is usually considered that it remains a special day in the history of Ayyavazhi while Vaikundar had incarnated to save the world from the evil forces.

Celebrations

Highly impactful processions during the Ayya Vaikunda Avataram remain one of the key attractions to observe in this region. It is a grand procession held on the particular day of celebration. In fact the origination of this key procession from the Thiruchendur area to Nagercoil is an exclusive one on the 19th day Masi. It is surely the symbolic procession of its kind and does represent specific path of Vaikundar upon reincarnation or Avataram to Detchanam. Likewise, another similar procession begins from Thiruvananthapuram which continues till Nagercoil on that special day to make it the notable occasion.

Interestingly, the second procession during the Ayya Vaikunda Avataram festival has its unique history. This day is symbolic day in the history of this community as a representative of Lord Vaikundar getting released from Singarathoppe captivation on this particular day. The next day corresponding to 20th Masi too remain a special one while Nagercoil becomes the rendezvous in wee hours to continue till late night. The procession is also a reminder of Vaikunda Avatara Orvalam originating from the Nagercoil to Swamithoppe. Devotees ensure whole process is enlivened in a typical enactment and the celebration of a largest festival in this region.

Ayya Vaikunda Avataram celebrations are held on grand scale at the Tiruchendur. It is an occasion while various types of conferences, cultural programs and the Anna Dharmams are organized in this region. The day and night programs starting from the wee hours to continue till late nights offer unique look in seashore in the Sea of Thiruchendur. The Payyan—a representative from the Payyan dynasty organizes the whole event systematically with the continuous practice of taking bath or holy dip into Thiruchendur on this sacred day while Vaikunda had supposedly reincarnated.

Importance of Festival

It is worth mentioning that although Ayya Vaikunda Avataram is a regional festival celebrated in the Tamil Nadu state of India but its importance is equally realized in other parts of the country as well where Ayyavazhi community members reside.  They ensure tradition of organizing this unique procession is held without fail. What makes this occasion special is the Thiruchendur Procession for the followers of this community.

As is it believed that Vaikundar had reincarnated from the Tiruchendur Sea on the 20th day of the Masi month. The Ayyavazhi scriptures explain the importance of that particular day when the evil forces were defeated by the supreme power of truth. That is why Ayya Vaikunda Avataram celebrations remain special one in this region where followers of Ayyavazhi gather together to enact that special occasion at the Avatharappathi. A Pathi has been erected on this seashore where it is believed that Ayya would have incarnated centuries ago.

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