Sujibala biography books

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Ayyavazhi (IPA: [aia:vərɪ])(Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali -"Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is conceived as a monisticreligion, although in Indian censuses and in government surveys the majority of its followers declare their religion to be Hinduism, so it is also considered to be a Hindu sect. Although the religion is strongly related to Hinduism, its theologians, several newspapers, magazines, and some academics consider it a separate religion. Certain groups outside Ayyavazhi also recognize it as a separate religion, including some social, as well as religious, faculties.

Though Ayyavazhi followers are spread across India, they are primarily present in South India and highly concentrated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The number of practitioners is estimated to be between 700,000 and 8 million, although the exact number is unknown, since Ayyavazhis are reported as Hindus during censuses. Ayyavazhi's fast growth in its first century was noted by Christian missionaries in the mid-19th century. Vaikundar's activities, and the gathering of a large crowd of followers, created a reformation and revolution in 19th century Travancore and Tamil Society and surprised the feudal social system then in place in South India.

Ayyavazhi is centered on Ayya Vaikundar's life and teachings, and its ideas and philosophy are based on the holy texts Akilattirattu Ammanai and Arul Nool. According to these, Ayya Vaikundar was the Manuavatar of Trimurthi. Although Ayyavazhi shares many ideas with Hinduism in its mythology and practice, it

Vaishnava Hindu sect

Ayyavazhi (Tamil: அய்யாவழி, Malayalam: അയ്യാവഴിAyyāvaḻi[əjːaːvəɻi], lit. 'Path of the Master') is a Hindu denomination that originated in South India during the 19th century.

Ayyavazhi is centered on the life and preachings of Ayya Vaikundar; its ideas and philosophy are based on the holy texts Akilathirattu Ammanai and Arul Nool. Accordingly, Ayya Vaikundar was the Purna avatar of Narayana. Ayyavazhi shares many ideas with Hinduism in its beliefs and practice, but differs considerably in its concepts of good and evil and dharma. Ayyavazhi is classified as a dharmic belief because of its central focus on dharma.

Ayyavazhi first came to public attention in the 19th century as a Hindu sect. Vaikundar's activities and the growing number of followers caused a reformation and revolution in 19th-century Travancorean and Tamil society, surprising the feudal social system of South India. It also triggered a number of reform movements including those of Narayana Guru and Ramalinga Swamigal.

Though Ayyavazhi followers are spread across India, they are primarily present in South India, especially concentrated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The number of practitioners is estimated to be between 8,000,000 and 10,000,000 although the exact number is unknown, since Ayyavazhis are reported as Hindus during censuses.

Etymology and history

Ayya in Tamil means 'Master' and vazhi, 'way'; the simple translation is "Master's way" or 'Father's way' Due to the diverse synonymous versions for the phrase in Tamil, it also leads to various other theories.

Ayyavazhi began to be noticed in

Ponneelan, born 1940 at Manikatti Pottal, Kanyakumari district) is the pen name of Kandeswara Bhaktavatsalan, a Tamil writer from Tamil Nadu, India. He is a Marxist and was influenced by Tamil Communist leader P. Jeevanandham in his younger days. He became a teacher and retired as the deputy director of school education for Tamil Nadu. He won the 1994 Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil his novel Pudhiya Dharisanangal. He is currently the state president of the Tamil literary organisation Tamil Nadu Kalai Ilakkiya Perumandram. During 2005–2008, he was a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (censor board). He also wrote the script for the 2008 film Ayyavazhi.