Ayya Vaikundar facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Vaikundar
Lord Vaikundar
Other names	Sriman Vaikunda Swamy
Tamil	அய்யா வைகுண்டர்
Affiliation	Purna Avatar of Ekam
Abode	Detchanam, South India, Vaikuntha
Weapon	Dharma
Texts	Akilathirattu Ammanai, Arul Nool, Vedas
Festivals	Vaikunda Jayanthi
Personal information
Born	Sea of Tiruchendur
Consorts	Saptha Kannimar ; Lekshmi Bhagavathi, Bhoo-madanthai
Parents	Goddess Lakshmi (mother) Vishnu (father)

Ayya Vaikundar (around 1833 – 1851) was a very important spiritual leader. He is also known as Siva Narayanar or Vaikunda Swami. Many people believe he was a special form of God, called a Purna avatar, from the divine being named Ekam.

According to the beliefs of Ayyavazhi, Ayya Vaikundar was born to Lord Narayana and Goddess Lakshmi. This happened in the sea near Tiruchendur on March 1, 1833. It is said that Lord Narayana took on a special form just before Vaikundar's birth. This was part of a big plan to defeat an evil force called Kali.

Before Vaikundar was born, Goddess Lakshmi became a giant golden fish called Makara in the sea. Ayya Vaikundar was born from her. Right after his birth, he received special divine instructions.

Ayya Vaikundar and Lord Narayana worked together. Lord Narayana's job was to destroy Kali. Ayya Vaikundar's job was to get the world ready for a golden age called Dharma Yukam. He was like a bridge for Lord Narayana to work through in the current age, the Kaliyuga. People believe Ayya Vaikundar is a supreme God because he was born after many gods performed deep meditation. He is a central figure in the stories and teachings of the Akilathirattu Ammanai.

Ayya Vaikundar was also a real person in history. Many of his teachings and actions are recorded in historical documents. His main mission is explained in the Akilathirattu. He also shared his wisdom by speaking to people. These oral teachings are written in books like Pathiram. The teachings of the Akilam and Arul Nool form the basis of the Ayyavazhi faith. Ayya Vaikundar's birth date is celebrated every year as Ayya Vaikunda Avataram. This happens on the 20th day of the Tamil month of Masi, which is usually March 3 or 4.

Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Penance and Growing Followers
Arrest and Later Life
Death and Legacy
Popular Culture
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Spiritual Journey

In 1809, Ayya Vaikundar was born as Mudisoodum Perumal. This means "Vishnu with a crown." His parents were Ponnu Madan and Veyilal Amma. He was born in a place called Poovandanthope in the Kanyakumari district. People also knew him as Muthukutty.

The religious book Akilam says that Muthukutty was born without life. Then, the spirit of a divine being named Sampooranathevan entered his body.

Muthukutty was a very religious boy. He especially loved to worship the Hindu god Vishnu (Narayana). The holy book Akilam says he had a special place for Vishnu in his home. He worshipped there with great devotion. At age seventeen, Muthukutty married Thirumalammal. He worked as a Palmyra palm climber and a farmer.

When he was twenty-four, Muthukutty became very sick for a year. His mother, Veyilal Amma, took him to the temple at Thiruchendur during a festival. There, Muthukutty went into the sea and disappeared. According to the legends in the Akilathirattu Ammanai, he reappeared three days later, on March 4, 1833. He had transformed into Ayya Vaikundar. He told his mother he was now the son of Narayana. Then, he started walking towards Detchanam. This spot became a holy place for Ayyavazhi followers. They built a temple there called Avatharappathi. This special event is celebrated every year during the Ayya vaikundar avataram festival.

Penance and Growing Followers

After his transformation, Ayya Vaikundar went to Poovantanthoppu, now called Swamithopu. There, he began a deep spiritual practice known as penance. This penance lasted for six years. For the first two years, he stood inside a deep pit. For the next two years, he sat on the ground. For the final two years, he sat on a raised platform. He looked very simple, with long, tangled hair and worn clothes. He spoke little and ate very simple meals.

The Akilam describes an important event during his penance. He announced that his penance would destroy the kalimayai, which is an evil, misleading force. He gathered people and caused some to act as if evil spirits possessed them. These people danced as if the spirits were controlling them. Vaikundar then ordered these spirits to promise to give up their powers and be burned away. After his orders, the possessed people became tired and fell to the ground. This showed that the evil spirits were destroyed.

Vaikundar also took away the powers of those who practiced witchcraft and magic. People from the hills, called Kanikkarar, were believed to be powerful shamans. Vaikundar, in a trance, made some of them declare that they had given up their powers. People were very impressed by Vaikundar's actions. They started calling him Vaikuntacami, recognizing his divine nature.

Items used by Ayya Vaikundar: a 'Surai Koodu' (gourd), a 'Pirambu' (cane), and a 'Thandayam' (footrest).

Vaikundar's fame grew in Travancore and Tirunelveli. People began to see him as a religious person with special powers. He was called a Pantaram, which meant a religious person who served ordinary people. The Akilattirattu also calls him Pantaram.

People came to him to hear his teachings and to be healed from illnesses. Vaikundar encouraged everyone to take a ritual bath together from a well, no matter their caste. He also encouraged them to eat meals together in his presence.

He taught that he had come to end the Kali Yukam (the current age of evil) and bring in the Dharma Yukam (a golden age). In this new age, oppressed people would be free and rule the land under his guidance. A key message was: "Uplifting the humble is dharmam (righteousness)." He urged people to help destroy Kali by becoming "people of Dharma Yukam." This meant living with self-respect, social dignity, and courage. He said, "If one lives with dignity and self-respect, Kali will destroy itself." He taught that when people overcome kalimayai, the Dharma Yukam would begin. In that age, he would rule as Dharma Raja, the king of righteousness.

Arrest and Later Life

Ayya Vaikundar made some strong statements. He criticized the king of Travancore and the British rule. Because of his growing popularity, a complaint was made against him to King Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma of Travancore. The King arrested Ayya Vaikundar in 1838. He was put in Singarathoppe jail. After 110 days, he was released on March 26, 1839. This happened because Thycaud Ayya, who was the King's teacher and also a follower of Vaikundar, advised it.

After returning from prison, Ayya Vaikundar encouraged his followers to do a special religious practice called Thuvayal Thavasu. He also performed miracles. He spiritually married Saptha Kanniyar, who are seven divine beings, in the form of Ekam. This event involved some female followers acting as human mediums for these deities. Ceremonies and processions were held with singing and shouts of joy. Many new rituals were started during these times.

Death and Legacy

Later, Ayya Vaikundar was invited to his followers' homes. They honored him greatly. To receive his blessings, his followers carried him to different places. During these visits, he started small shrine-like centers called Nizhal Thangals. Vaikundar chose five individuals as his closest disciples. Through one of them, Hari Gopalan Citar, he wrote the holy book called Akilam.

Ayya Vaikundar passed away on June 3, 1851. His followers believe he returned to his heavenly home, Vaikundam. However, some historical records suggest he might have passed away in 1848.

His body was buried in a tomb. Later, a temple (called a pati) was built around it. His followers continue to visit this place and perform the same rituals they did when he was alive. Ayya Vaikundar's life and teachings are the foundation of the Ayyavazhi religion. The main temple of Ayyavazhi is the Swamithoppepathi, located in the village of Swamithope.

Popular Culture

A film called Ayyavazhi was released in 2008. It was based on the life of Ayya Vaikundar. Another film, Oru Kudaikul (2021), also told the story of Ayya Vaikundar.