Swamithope Pathi

Coordinates: 8°7′23″N 77°29′48″E / 8.12306°N 77.49667°E / 8.12306; 77.49667
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Swamithoppe Pathi
Swamithoppe
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Swamithope Pathi is located in Tamil Nadu
Swamithope Pathi
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates8°7′23″N 77°29′48″E / 8.12306°N 77.49667°E / 8.12306; 77.49667
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture[1]

Swamithoppu Pathi (Tamil: சுவாமிதோப்பு பதி, Swamithoppu-pathi, Manavai-pathi, Detchana-pathi, or Thamarai-pathi) is the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi and the sacred venue of the Tavam. Swamithope is considered primary among the Pancha pathi and the primary centre of the incarnational activities of Vaikundar.

According to the

Akilathirattu Ammanai of Ayyavazhi refers to the temple
as "Thoppuppathi".

Genesis and history

As per

Vinchai
.

After his trial, his devotees carried him to Swamithoppe in a vahana. There, he incinerated the evil spirits and unified the Seven Virgins by himself through marriage. This ceremony took place in

Ambalappathi
. He returned to Swamithoppe afterward.

According to

Palliyarai of Swamithoppe.[4]

Architecture and structure

Blue print of Swamithoppe pathi

The Palliyarai contains two

elunetru, and a large mirror. On a raised pedestal and covered with kavi cloth, the temple also preserves some articles believed to have been used by Ayya Vaikuntar. This includes a rattan
cane (perampu) and a pair of wooden sandals. Inner corridors surround the Palliyarai.

There is a fifty-five-foot-tall flag mast at a distance of 50 feet from

Palliyarai is a carving of the ten avatars of Vishnu
.

The main celebration of Swamithoppe includes Kodiyettru Thirunal, which is celebrated three times a year during the Tamil months of Vaikasi, Aavani, and Thai. It starts with Kodiyetrru (flag hoisting) and ends on the eleventh day with a car procession. People from different parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala participate in this festival.[5][6][7][8] Then there was Thiru Eadu Vasippu, a seventeen-day festival during which the whole contents of Akilattirattu Ammanai were read melodiously. It was celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai, the month in which Hari Gopalan Citar wrote it.

tham Thirunal

Palliyarai with the ten avatars of Vishnu
carved on it

As per the instructions in

Ukappatippu, and the devotees repeat it. Then they open the door of the sanctum sanctorum. Witnessing this scene with the sound of a dozen temple bells and conch is considered sanctifying. Then there is the Vahana pavani
.

Vahana Pavani comes around the temple and along the four-car streets, first through the Santhana Veethi and then through the Ratha Veethi. The Nithiyapal is prepared daily and offered to Ayya Vaikundar ritually. It was the only food Ayya believed to be eaten when in human form at Swamithoppe. Thavanaipal, a gruel prepared with rice and green gramme, is distributed to the devotees.

The noon

Ucchipatippu
is chanted. The devotees will repeat it, and Thavanaipal is distributed to the devotees. On Sundays, many people from far and near come here to participate in the Ucchipatippu.

The asana at the Vada-va-mugam, the sacred venue of the Tavam

In the evening, panividai starts around 5p.m. The sanctum sanctorum door is opened amidst the sound of the temple bells and conch. Then, the Payyan would chant ukappatippu. Those followers who congregate for the evening panividai would repeat this. Then, there will be vahana panividai. The Vahana is taken around the temple and the four-car streets. After this, there will be Annadharmam.[citation needed]

This is the daily routine of

Swamithoppe Pathi. One can worship at any time of the day in this temple.[citation needed
]

The Great Masi Procession' from Nagercoil to Swamithope.

Ayya Vaikunda Avataram

The most important festival is Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, or Vaikunda Jayanthi, the day on which Lord Vaikundar incarnated from the sea at Tiruchendur. Though many worship centres, including other Pathis, conduct celebrations during this festival, it is considered sacred to visit Swamithoppe on this day. So on this day, Swamithoppe will get populated with the nationwide Ayyavazhi followers.[citation needed]

This is the largest festival conducted in Swamithope Pathi. Several processions were held on the day, which started from different places, including Thiruchendur and Thiruvananthapuram, and ended at

Swamithoppe.[citation needed
]

Location

Location of Swamithope pathi and other Pathis

Swamithoppe Pathi is the primary

Kanniyakumari on the Eathancaud
-Manakkudi road.

This Pathi lies north of all other

Kanyakumari
.

See also

References

  1. ^ Urwick 2007, p. 58.
  2. ^ C. Paulose, Advaita Philosophy of Brahmasri Chattampi Swamikal, Chapter 2, p. 24: "To propagate his teachings and ideas he opened upon 7 Patis and 7 Tangs in Travancore and hundreds of small Pagodas through India."
  3. ^ Manibharathi, "Samithoppu Ayya Narayana Cuvami - 3" in Tina Tanti Kutumba Malar, in dt.08-01-1995, Page-4
  4. ^ Frederic Wilkinson, "Report of the Nagercoil Mission District for the year 1864", ARTDC for the year 1864, page-4.
  5. ^ The Hindu Report on the Car festival in Swamithoppe[usurped]
  6. Thoothukkudi, Theni, Chennai, Coimbatore and also from the State of Kerala
    participated in the Car festival."
  7. ^ The Hindu report on the Car festival at Swamithope on 29 January 2008.
  8. Thoothukkudi, Theni, Coimbatore and also from the State of Kerala
    participated in the Car festival."

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Swamithope pathi.
Wikibooks has more on the topic of: Swamithope Pathi
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Swamithoppu.
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