Structure of Ayyavazhi - As A Religion

As A Religion

The consideration of Ayyavazhi as a separate religion by itself is made based on the ideological deviation it takes from the existing so called 'Sanathana Dharma', that is obviously exposed by Akilam centering Vaikundar. The supremacy of Vaikundar is highly portrayed since the 'formless absolute' or the 'supreme self' Ekam is that which came in the form of him which was ever first through the ages. And so the beliefs, ideology and philosophy of Ayyavazhi are viewed with the activities of Vaikundar as the epi-center, which in turn contrasts with the inclusionistic nature of the existing Sanathana. The philosophy of Ayyavazhi starts with the monism during creation and evolved as polytheism till the end of Dvapara Yuga, further evolved to henotheism till the incarnation of Vaikundar and then onwards turns panentheistic highlighting Vaikundar as the overall supreme, making it unique.

The yuga-dharma for the Kali yuga is 'Preaching the Gospel of Vaikundar', says Akilam - Making it to move further from the main-stream Hinduism. Apart from this the list of Primary Avatars provided by Akilam is different from that of the Hindu scriptures. Also Vaikundar is considered supreme to all others in Akilam; Socialogically, Monotheism is advocated varrying extremely from the Hindu Polytheism.

The 'Ultimate refuge to Almighty' - the worship form in Ayyavazhi which replaces the domination of ritual importance in Hindu form of worship, is advocated in Akilam as the best way to attain the personal liberation. Mass prayer is the main form of worship in Ayyavazhi unlike in Hinduism. On the other hand the rituals of Ayyavazhi is arranged in such a way that it symbolises 'worshipping or realising one-self' .

Akilam also seems to follow the Solar calendar unlike in Vedic Hinduism. The most important thing that gives Ayyavazhi a sepearte identity is, rejecting all previous scriptures including Vedas, though it shares many ideas (that of Pre-Vaikundar era) from those scriptures. Apart from this they have separate Holy places, which are all related to the activities of Vaikundar, Holy texts, rituals, theology, etc. and those other to them are rejected by Akilam and so the worshippers. 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.