Ayya Vaikunda Avataram



Detailed Information about Ayya Vaikunda Avataram & Its Importance


Ayya Vaikunda Avataram is the festival celebrated by the in the southern region of India, it is mainly celebrated by the follower of Ayyavazhi. They are the one who believes that Lord Vaikundar is the son of Mummorthies, who aroused from the sea at Thrichuhendur. He was believed to destroy the evil spirit of Kali and also would change the Kaliyukam to Dharma Yukam. This festival is celebrated on the 20th Masi according to the Tamil calendar.

Before the birth of the Lord Vaikundar on the 19th day of Masi grand procession is organised, which originates from Thiruchendur to Nagercoiland another procession originates from Avataram to Detchanam. The both procession meets at Nagercoil in the evening and at the next early morning, on the 20th of Masi. This festival is one of the main festivals in Tamil Nadu, this festival attracts many people during the festival.

The 20th day of Masi falls on the 3rd March. On this festival the procession draws the main attraction of the city and district. From the Jail of Singarathoppe the procession is released of Lord Ayya Vaikunda after the trail with the king of Travancore, Swathi Thiruna. After that the Ayya is carried in a Vahana to Swamithoppe along with the followers. For celebrating this grand festival people go to Thiruvananthapuram on the day of procession, then to Swamithoppe. This celebration is not meant for the celebration of the incarnation of Vaikunda, since the day coincides with this day so the day is celebrated on the same particular vein. This festival is seen as the incarnation fest due to this factor. Earlier the procession was on foot procession for few years but now it has been changed to vehicle procession. People from Kerala participate in this festival at larger amount. So theTiruchendur procession, this is led by Payyan.

On the next day that is on 4th March on the 'Great Masi Procession' the real procession is out in the district, which begins from Nagercoil. This grand procession is led by Payyan. In the beginning a decorated 'Vahana' is carried out which resembles Akilattirattu Ammanai, which is decorated by the holy palm tree leaves and considered to be most sacred. This procession is on foot procession, all the people in the procession chants 'Shiva-Shiva Shiva-Shiva Ara-kara' holding a saffron flag in the hand.

The elephants and the horses are decorated in the most elite manner. This procession is carried through Edalakudi,Suchindrum,Vazukamparai, Ethankadu,North Thamaraikulam. People from all religion irrespective of the fact that it is a Hindu procession people join this procession for harmony peace of the place. Christians at Kottar, Muslims at Edalakkudi; and Hindus at Suchindram come to the procession and offer garland to the Vahana of Lord Ayya. Lakhs of devotees follows this procession every year, and celebrate the festival with great zeal and enthusiasm.