Ayya Vaikundar

Ayya Vaikundar (c.1833 –c.1851) (Tamil: அய்யா வைகுண்டர், Sanskrit: अय्या वैघुण्ढर्) also known as Vaikunda Swami is the first and the foremost Purna avatar of Eka-Paran born to Lord Narayana and his consort Goddess Lakshmi at the Sea of Tiruchendur on the 20th of Masi, 1008 K.E (1 March 1833 CE). Embodied with the triune God-heads along with all lesser devas, Lord Narayana assumes his ninth incarnation at the sea-shore of Tiruchendur just before the birth of Ayya Vaikundar. It was this Avatar of Lord Narayana whom give birth to Ayya Vaikundar later, and all these events are part of his grand and systematic framework for the destruction of Kali. Earlier, as the time for the destruction of Kali approaches, Goddess Lakshmi, who includes all Devis (feminine forms of Devas) of the divine cosmos into herself, was sent to Sea of Tiruchendur to grow as a giant golden fish called Makara. It was from her womb the Infant Ayya Vaikundar was born to Lord Narayana and the Vinchai was granted to him immediately after his birth.The mission of the Destruction of Kali involves a joint role of Lord Narayana and Ayya Vaikundar. While the prime obligation of Lord Narayana is to annihilate Kali, the role of Ayya Vaikundar is to prepare the world for the Dharma Yukam. Literally, Ayya Vaikundar acts as the subtle medium on whom Lord Narayana had based his platform in the Kaliyuga to destroy Kali, the foremost evil of the 7 yugas. Since Ayya Vaikundar is born after the severe Tapas of Trimurthi and all other lesser other Devas including the 33 clans of devas and 44 clans of deva-rishis of Seven Logas, Ayya Vaikundar is the supreme God on his own. He is the central character of Kaliyuga as in the narratives and teaching of Akilathirattu Ammanai.
On the other hand, Ayya Vaikundar is an actual Historical figure and most of the preachings and activities found in Akilam and other texts about the life of Ayya Vaikundar was documented historically and detailed in critical contemporary sources externally as well. Though the prime features of Ayya Vaikundar’s mission is revealed through Akilathirattu, he also teaches orally. His oral teaching are compiled in the Books of Pathiram, Sivakanta Athikara Pathiram and Thingal Patham. Though Akilam is directly against creating any form of organised religion or belief, the teachings of Akilam and especially few books of Arul Nool forms the basis of Ayyavazhi belief. The incarnational date of Ayya Vaikundar is celebrated as Ayya Vaikunda Avataram on the 20th of Masi as per the Tamil Calendar (3 or 4 March C.E) and is observed to this date.