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Meivazhi (Tamil:மெய்வழி Meyvaḻi), meaning 'the True Path', also known as the "மறலி கை தீண்டா சாலை ஆண்டவர்கள் மெய் மதம்", is asyncreticmonotheistic religion based inTamil Nadu,India. It seeks to spread the true purpose of every religion which originated on Earth and preaches the oneness of all religions such asSaivism,Vaishnavism,Buddhism,Zoroastrianism,Islam,Judaism,Christianity, etc.[1]
Its focus is on spiritual enlightenment and conquest of the cycle of birth and death by attaining Heaven, through the teachings and blessings of its founder and leader, Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal (Tamil: மெய்வழி சாலை ஆண்டவர்கள் meyvaḻi cālai āṇṭavarkaḷ), who is believed to be theKalki Avatar, the finalincarnation of God during the end of Kali Yuga and the beginning of the Kalki Yuga, foretold by several religions.
It draws strongly fromHinduism, although its founder was born in aMuslim family. The Meivazhi allows membership irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion. The only requirement for being a disciple of Meivazhi religion is to be a believer in God.
The Meivazhi has its own set of holyscriptures that runs up to four volumes, along with a unique prayer system and festivals. Its official liturgical language isTamil.
The Meivazhi has only one temple all across the world, which is situated atMeivazhi Salai inPudukkottai district,Tamil Nadu, named as the Ponnaranga Devalayam (Tamil: பொன்னரங்க தேவாலயம், Poṉṉaraṅka tēvālayam). The Meivazhi Temple stipulates a dress-code for its followers, which are white panchakacham and a white, pointedturban for its male followers, while its female followers wear a headscarf. The pointed turban (with Kalgi) worn by its followers, is believed to signify the beginning of the Kalki Yuga.
The senior disciples of Meivazhi, who had received spiritual revelations (Tamil: உபதேசம் Upatēcam) directly from Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal, wear saffron clothing and wear saffron pointedturban with an upward-pointingcrescent symbol called as 'Kilnaamam' (Tamil: கிள்நாமம் Kiḷnāmām). The senior disciples prefix the word 'Meivazhi' before their name and suffix the word 'Anandar/Anandagi', while the younger disciples have the word 'Salai' prefixed to their names.[2][3][4][5]
The Meivazhi forbids smoking, alcohol, gambling, theft, and practices vegetarianism.
Meivazhi | |
|---|---|
 Meivazhi Salai Andavargal | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Khader Badsha Rowther 1857[citation needed] Markhampatti, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Parents |
|
| Known for | Founder of Meivazhi |
| Other names | Marganannadhar |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Meivazhi |
 | It has been suggested that this article besplit out into a new article titledMeivazhi Salai Aandavargal. (Discuss)(January 2021) |
The Meivazhi followers address their founder as "Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal (Tamil: மெய்வழி சாலை ஆண்டவர்கள் meyvaḻi Cālai āṇṭavarkaḷ)".
An earliest documented account of a meeting with Meivazhi Salai Andavargal, in the erstwhileTiruppattur Meivazhi Ashram, has been narrated in a Book titled 'Glimpses of Chettimarnad' published in 1937 by R.J. Ram & Company, Triplicane High Road, Madras, authored by a Journalist and Explorer named Nilkan A. Perumal, who had mistakenly entered thePudukkottai State, under the rule of theThondaman dynasty, while touring theChettinad region.[6]
Further details on the early life, history and experiences of Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal are sourced from one of the holy scriptures of Meivazhi, titled "Aadhi Maanmiyam (Tamil: ஆதி மாண்மியம்)", written by Meivazhi Salai Andavargal himself.[7]
According to the scripture, Aadhi Maanmiyam, Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal was born in 1857 at Markhampetti village, Oddanchatram Taluk,Dindigul district,Tamil Nadu. His birth name was Khader Badsha Rowther. His father 'Jamal Hussain Rowther' and mother 'Periya Thayi'. He had his primary education from a teacher, under a banyan tree in his village.
He initially learned to recite Qur'an, but soon after his teacher's death, came his quest of finding the truth about life and the state of the soul after death. He went after prophets and preachers to learn the correct path to salvation. He had asked orange-robed sanyasins, the black-robed bearded fakirs and the Gospel-preaching Christian missionaries to show him the correct way for God realization.[6] However, he soon realized that people were pretending to be saints for the sake of money. Subsequently, he lost hope in spirituality.
At the age of 18, he was married to Suleka Bivi. With the blessings of his parents, he migrated to Kasukkaranpalayam Village, Perundurai taluk,Erode inTamil Nadu and established himself as a wholesale paddy merchant. He had a daughter named Aisuamma.
At the age of 27, Meivazhi Salai Andavargal was contemplating moving out of India to enrich his rice business. At this time, he coincidentally met an elderly person, whom Meivazhi Salai Andavargal invited to his Paddy shop and offered Ragi Dosa with Honey. Meivazhi Salai Andavargal proudly conversed with this elderly person regardinghatha yoga as the only way to attain spiritual enlightenment. But the response of the Elderly person shocked Meivazhi Salai Andavargal, and sensed that the elderly man was a divine intervention. Soon, Meivazhi Salai Andavargal became a Disciple of the elderly person. The name of the elderly person was revealed to be Shri Thanigai Mani Piran (Also known as Mohamed Saligh and as Paattayar or Paattaiyah), who was stated to be more than 600 years old.
The Guru of Meivazhi Salai Andavargal, Shri Thanigai Mani Piran, eventually baptized Salai Aandavargal through Brahmopadhesam (Tamil: ப்ரஹ்மோபாதேசம் Prahmōpātēcam) or the spiritual revelations, at Kasukkaranpalayam,Erode, revealing his true identity and his divine purpose on Earth, elaborating that he had waited more than 600 years to meet Meivazhi Salai Andavargal, and it was their destiny to meet.
The scripture Aadhi Maanmiyam, Chapter 9B, Page 249, extracts certain verses written byAyya Vaikundar, foretelling the meeting between Meivazhi Salai Andavargal and his Satguru, their bonds, their parting of ways and the subsequent events. It is stated that the meeting of Salai Andavargal and his satguru, was already prophesied by many saints.
After the spiritual revelation, Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal lost interest in materialistic possessions and renounced his profession, wife, child and everything, in pursuit of the highest spiritual enlightenment, and following his satguru across India and many other countries.
The first meeting of Meivazhi Salai Andavargal and his satguru is celebrated by the Meivazhi followers as a festival duringpournami day of thePanguni month (April), as the "(Tamil: பிறவா நாள் பிறப்பு திருநாள் Piṟavā nāḷ piṟappu tirunāḷ)" festival.
As per the scripture Aadhi Maanmiyam, Meivazhi Salai Andavargal had trained in the art ofPenance for 12 years along with his satguru, and had finally attained the highest level of spiritual enlightenment. On fulfilling the destiny, his Satguru decided to gradually part ways to prepare Meivazhi Salai Andavargal for his real purpose on Earth. The Satguru had ordered Meivazhi Salai Andavargal to tend to a flock of sheep at Reddiapatti village inVirudhunagar district for a year, and during this time, Shri Thanigai Mani Piran gradually started fading from Meivazhi Salai Andavargal's life, until Meivazhi Salai Andavargal became accustomed to being alone. This separation and the event of tending to Sheep, is remembered and celebrated annually by the disciples, as the "(Tamil: ஆடு மேய்ப்பு திருக்கோலக் காட்சி Āṭu mēyppu tirukkōlak kāṭci)" festival during the month ofVaisakha (Vaikasi in Tamil).
As per the scripture Aadhi Maanmiyam, After Meivazhi Salai Andavargal had tended to Sheep for a year as per his Satguru's command, his satguru directed Meivazhi Salai Andavargal to observe severePenance orTapas in a cave on the western side ofThiruparankundram hill (nearMadurai), which he carried out. After 12 years of Penance, under the wakefulness and near-starvation diet of Prickly pear, Meivazhi Salai Andavargal is stated to have acquired all the divine symbols (sannadams) – such asUdukai,Trishula,Shankhu,Sudarshana Chakra, Villu, Vaal,Gada (mace), Angusam, Paasam, Modhagam,Vel and finally the “Kilnamam" (Crescent moon), stated to be visible in his sacred palms. The Crescent moon is stated to be the ultimate divine symbol, used by the Meivazhi followers as their religion's symbol.
The acquiring of the ultimate divine symbol Crescent Moon on his palm, by Meivazhi Salai Aandavargal, is commemorated by the Meivazhi followers, by celebrating the festival of “(Tamil: கோடாயுத சன்னதத் திருக்காப்பு கங்கநத் திருநாள் Kodaayudha Sannathath Thirukkappu Kangganath Thirunall) in the month ofVaikasi (June).
When Shri Thanigai Mani Piran understood that his disciple Meivazhi Salai Andavargal was fully endowed with wit and power, he christened Salai Andavargal as “Maarganadhar” and directed Meivazhi Salai Andavargal to return to the world to undertake the divine mission of redeeming the seekers of truth from the bondage of ignorance and illusion and persuaded Meivazhi Salai Andavargal to proceed forward alone in his holy mission.
Initially, cladding himself in a saffron robe, Meivazhi Salai Andavargal, preached tosanyasis and saints, but thereupon he understood that most of the sanyasis were impostors not because of their ignorance, but deliberation to loot innocent people's money for satisfying their lust and hunger. Finally, Andavargal gave up the garb of sanyasi and took to preaching family people engaged in worldly occupations.
The First Meivazhi sabha was started at Rajagambeeram village inSivaganga district,Tamil Nadu in 1901. However, it is stated that the Hindu priests, Moslem Imams and Christian Padres heard about his doctrine with dismay and persecuted Salai Andavargal, forcing him to flee Rajagambiram.
The Meivazhi sabha was subsequently started inTiruppattur, a panchayat town inSivaganga district,Tamil Nadu. Even at Tiruppattur, it is stated that the persecution had continued for a time, but had soon ended, as men began coming in large numbers to hear his teachings, and from small beginnings, the number of followers gradually increased, year by year.[6] At Tiruppattur, he married Panimathi Nachiyar as per his Satguru's wish. Thereafter, Salai Andavargal and Shri Thanigai Mani Piran permanently parted ways.
The Meivazhi Sabha was formally registered as a Society on 19.06.1933.
The contents of the 4 Volumes of Meivazhi religions' Sacred Texts emphasizes on the prime duty of every man to "Know himself". In the Volume, "Kodayudha Koor", it has been stated that Tamil is the oldest language on Earth. In the Tamil Language, the word "மனுஷன்/Maṉuṣaṉ", means Man. If the said Tamil word is split into two, it becomes "மனு/Maṉu (Earthly)" + either "ஈசன்/Īcaṉ (God)" or "நீசன்/Nīcaṉ (Vile or Bad)", which indicates what a Man is truly capable of transforming into. The Man was created as a God. The prime purpose of the Meivazhi religion is to make Mankind, aware of their true astral identity and also to reveal the true purpose of every religion which came upon Earth.
As explained by the Sacred texts of every major religion, the Meivazhi religion explains that Man is an Astral being originally created by a Superior God in Heaven in a highly powerful and sophisticated form. However, he was deceived and tempted by Satan (who was a God himself, created by the Superior God), into consuming a forbidden fruit made by Satan, which the Superior God had warned never to consume. When man relented to Satan's temptation that consumption of the forbidden fruit would make him much more powerful than the creator himself, man had lost all his highly sophisticated powers and was eternally trapped in a Lowly, despicable, earthly form, with traces of Satan inside. Consequently, man (in his lowly form) and Satan were both banished from Heaven and imprisoned on Earth for their sins. However, on seeing and hearing man's cries, the Superior God pitied man and reduced his punishment from an eternity, to a lifetime of repentance on Earth for his sin of consuming the forbidden fruit and also promised to stay within the man's lowly form for a lifetime to let him find a way to attain his true heavenly form.
The Volume "Maanmiyam", explains that in order to make Earth more livable for Man, the Superior God had gone a step further to create 1008 earthly features such as mountains, waterfalls, seas, along with thousands of animals and birds and many other wonders on earth, entirely for man, even though man had not dared to ask for any of it since such a debt cannot be repaid by man, even if an equivalent of heaven is given back to the Superior God. Such magnanimity of the Superior God and of the man's debt is stated to be explained inTirukkuṛaḷ 101, which reads as follows: -
செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்
வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது
Tamil-English Translation:(The gift of heaven and earth is not an equivalent for a benefit which is conferred where none had been received.)
A Man's primary duty on Earth, is to know himself.
The Man, started his life on Earth, with both the Superior God (Good) and the Satan (Evil) within himself. The Volume, Kodayudha Koor, reveals that the heavenly form of man is locked inside himself with 16 divine locks across 16 directions. For a man's soul to regain control of his true Heavenly form, a man has to earn it within his lifetime, by acknowledging, praying and gaining the sympathy of the Superior God within himself. It is stated that a man can attain that heavenly form, with the guidance of the Superior God or any other man who had attained the heavenly form.
But, when a man forgets the Superior God within himself and fails to regain the Heavenly form before his lifetime on Earth, the Superior God leaves his earthly form, and the Man's soul is born in a fresh earthly form. The Man is struck in an indefinite cycle of birth and rebirth, until the final yuga, when the Earth will be destroyed, and Satan is bound to eternally enslave the man's soul, turning him into a நீசன்/Nīcaṉ (vile or bad).
During Man's initial days on Earth, known as theSatya Yuga, Mankind was well aware of their astral descent and Mankind was very successful in conquering Satan and returning to Heaven in their Astral Form. However, as theTreta Yuga and theDvapara Yuga passed, Satan's influence had grown exponentially leading to widespread corruption, chaos and destruction. Eventually, the Mankind was completely corrupted by Satan with materialistic pleasures, lust and greed, provoking them to commit evil deeds, and making them forget their origins.
It is stated in the Volume "Kodayuda Koor", that theKali Yuga had begun when theMahabharata War started. It was the first war between mankind, where mankind had completely forgotten their Astral origins and fought amongst themselves over lust and petty earthly materialistic possessions due to the corruption caused by Satan. It is stated that after the beginning ofKali Yuga, the mankind had completely forgotten the Superior God within themselves, with absolutely no clue of their astral origins. Thus, mankind was trapped in a cycle of birth and rebirth, under Satan's deceptions and illusions, without reaching their true heavenly form. According to the Meivazhi religion, the biggest sin a man could commit on Earth is "forgetting the presence of the Superior God within Man's lowly earth form", and all the debts owed by mankind to the Superior God.
The Meivazhi religion teaches that throughout theSatya Yuga,Treta Yuga and theDvapara Yuga, nearly 33 Crores men had conquered the deceptions of Satan and attained their true heavenly form, returning to heaven. Further, that throughout the Yugas, nearly 1,24,000 men, known as the Nabis or prophets, had returned or stayed on Earth to assist mankind in breaking the cycle of birth and rebirth, and regain their true heavenly form. However, it is stated that many of the Nabis who came down to Earth during theDvapara Yuga were ridiculed by the ignorant mankind and far worse, in the initial days of theKali Yuga, many such Nabis were even tortured by such ungrateful mankind, under the influence of Satan. As such, a majority of mankind had fallen as prey to Satan, with absolutely no clue about their identity or their purpose in life.
The Meivazhi religion teaches that, apart from the 1,24,000 Prophets who came to Earth during different Yugas, to awaken the mankind from their ignorance, the Superior God himself had come down to Earth in nine different earthly Avatars, across various regions on Earth, throughout the Yugas under various names, all pointing to the same God. It is revealed that every religion on Earth, is merely a shadow of the same Superior God, teaching the same core principles, with the sole intent of making mankind realize its astral origin and its true capabilities. But despite the efforts of the Superior God and the Prophets, Mankind was too corrupted by Satan. Under the influence of Satan, the Prophets were disrespected and cruelly tortured by the Mankind.
Satan had actively worked against the teachings of the Superior God and the Prophets, manipulating mankind to believe in multiple religious beliefs, multiple gods and even false Gods. Satan had managed to manipulate and fragment Mankind into different groups and had actively pitted the followers of one fragment against each other, destroying the very purpose of all those Religions. As such, every such religion lost its true purpose and became powerless. Religion became a mere mockery serving no purpose and this led to further chaos, and a major portion of Mankind had no means to attain their true heavenly form. A large portion of Mankind was following religions only in name, without knowing their true purpose nor the fact that the Superior God exists within oneself, nor their astral origins, completely blinded by their lust, greed and materialistic desires.
It is stated in the Volume "Kodayutha Koor" that the start of the Meivazhi Religion marks the end of theKali Yuga and the beginning of the Kalki Yuga, which was prophesied in theKalki Purana and anticipated by the sacred texts of many religions. The Meivazhi religion has successfully united 69 Castes of Hinduism, along with every major religion on Earth, such a Christianity, Islam, etc., into a single community. The Meivazhi, preaches the oneness of all religion, with the sole intent of revealing the true purpose of every religion which existed on Earth, and to make mankind realize their true astral origins and their destiny to reach Heaven through the example of its founder.
The founder of Meivazhi had instructed the disciples, never to worship statues or any photos of him, which are merely temporary identities of the Superior god. The Meivazhi teaches its followers that both the Superior God and the Satan, exist within themselves, and it is up to the Mankind to choose whichever path they desire. The Meivazhi teaches that the Superior God is inside the Man's heart during his lifetime and that a Man's affection alone could earn the sympathy of the Superior God. Thus the proverb in Tamil, "அன்பே சிவம்/Aṉpē civam" meaning, Love is God. The Meivazhi further teaches its followers that the Superior God exists within Man only to protect his Soul from Satan, and never to pray for petty materialistic possessions. It explains that praying for materialistic possessions from the Superior God is like asking an Emperor for a broom.
The followers of the Meivazhi religion believe that the founder of the Meivazhi religion is theKalki avatar, the final incarnation of LordVishnu as mentioned inHinduism and also theSecond Coming of God's incarnation on this Earth as mentioned in various other religions., expected to bring an end to theKali (demon).
The Volume Kodayudha Koor states that the destruction of the Earth will take place beforeHijri year 1500, which is 21-Jul-2077 in Gregorian Calendar. Further, in the volume Maanmiyam, in chapter 9B - "Sannadham Perum Paruvam", Page 254, a poem written byAyya Vaikundar, has been extracted, wherein at Stanzas 2 and 3, certain hints have been made in Tamil as follows:-
"...வங்காள அரண்மனையார் / Vangala Palace (or Royals)
வாறாரே கலியழிக்கச் / are coming to destroy Kali
செப்ப எளிதல்லவே / It is not very easy
செயிக்கஏலா தாராலும்... / no one can win"
Although the exact meaning of the word "Vangala" is unclear, it could possibly indicate the rise ofBengal or China.
Meivazhi teaches that the Heavenly tokens which distinguish a true spiritual guru from impostors are that:
The followers of Meivazhi believe that Salai Aandavargal had exhibited all the above-stated features.[8][9]
It is believed that the primordial sign that a man has reached the Superior God is that the person's physical self will becomeincorruptible when he dies. It is believed that, When a man dies without even meeting the Supreme God within himself, he dies without even fulfilling his most basic purpose in life, and therefore, the Supreme God merely leaves his earthly form without helping the Soul to attain its true heavenly form. Consequently, the earthly form decays and the Soul becomes eternally enslaved by Satan. However, when a Man had realized the Supreme God within himself and prayed affectionately throughout his lifetime, he is helped by the Supreme God attain his true heavenly form locked within himself, at the time of his death and Satan would fear to get anywhere close to a Man's heavenly form. Therefore, the earthly form would never decompose. It is believed that every religion came to earth only to prove this as a fact and it can be seen in many saints, whose bodies have not decomposed through hundreds of years. This phenomenon is stated to happen among the people of the Meivazhi religion and there were instances, where even non-followers, who had visited the Meivazhi Salai temple and prayed, had shown signs of incorruptibility.[10][8]
The Followers of Meivazhi believe that a person's attainment of Heaven can be ascertained by their body, by observing the following 10 signs after death showing Immortal Proofs of Salvation at the time of death:
Meivazhi followers mention the bodies ofRamanuja, aBuddhist monk,Bernadette Soubirous, and a MuslimShahid as examples for this.[11]
Meivazhi has its own Holy scriptures running up to four volumes in theTamil language.[12][13]
The first Meivazhi Ashram was founded in 1926 at Rajagambeeram village inSivaganga district,Tamil Nadu. On a full moon day, Andavargal hoisted a flag (Pooran Kodi) with 96 bells. Several disciples came and attended the historic event. Andavargal composed a song called Gnana Sangu In one of the Meivazhi Vedas, namely "Aadhi Maanmiyam", at Chapter 2, page 7, it is stated that the Village Rajagambeeram was previously known asShambhala during the times ofNarada. However, due to religious persecution at Rajagambeeram Village, the said Ashram was abandoned. Subsequently, the Meivazhi Asharam was started atTiruppattur, a panchayat town in the presentSivaganga district,Tamil Nadu, where the Sabha was initially registered as a Society on 19 June 1933 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Act 21 of 1860, India). From small beginnings, the number of followers gradually increased year by year.
On 14.09.1940, Madurai Ashram was inaugurated and the sabha was shifted to Madurai (Aruppukottai Road) The new Ashram was painstakingly built entirely using Granite stones. But in 1942, during the Second World War, the British Government acquired the entire place in Madurai and paid a compensation of Rs.1,37,750/- to the Meivazhi Sabha. Consequently, the sabha had to be shifted again to a different place and the Madurai Ashram came to be referred as the பழஞ்சாலை/Paḻañcālai (meaning old Salai). It is stated that even prior to the acquisition, some prophetic carvings were inscribed in the lentil stones of the Ashram hall in the year 1940, which reads as "ஆலயம் மாற அரசு மாறும்" ("When the Temple changes, the Government will change"). The said inscription in the erstwhile Meivazhi Ashram (presently the Madurai Aerodrome campus) remains a monument for the Disciples. The Meivazhi sabha was later shifted to Pappanachivayal,Pudukkottai district,Tamil Nadu, near the Ural Hills, in the erstwhilePudukkottai State, where Salai Aandavargal purchased a jungle land for about Rs.6,000/- and cleared it for habitation. On 17.11.1942, Andavargal hoisted the first flag and named the place as Meivazhi Salai The Sabha was re-registered on 10 June 1944 and it became theMeivazhi Salai village.
The Meivazhi Sabha had a President and 24 senior disciples referred to as the "சத்தியப்பிடி மூப்பர்/Cattiyappiṭi mūppar" (Elders of Truth), appointed by Salai Andavargal himself, to take care of the everyday affairs of the Sabha. One Meivazhi Kailai Anandhar, a leading criminal lawyer of that time, was the president of the Association till 1974 and thereafter due to his old age, Salai Andavargal appointed one Meivazhi Murugamalai Anandar as the President. It is stated that during the British-ruled period, the senior disciples had suggested to Salai Andavargal that the compensation amount given by the British and the offerings given by the Disciples, could be converted in the form of Gold and thus several Gold ingots engraved with the seal of the British Crown were purchased and stored at various hidden locations across the village under different trees. The location of the ingots were known to a very few disciples, many of whom had died due to old age. However, immediately after His holiness Salai Andavargal attained a greatest Penance State calledVankani Virat Thavam on 19.02.1976, Now, his holiness is in Highest Penance state since, but some confusion and chaos prevailed among the followers, as to the future of the temple administration and also the uncertainty as to whether the phenomenon ofIncorruptibility will continue or not. In March 1976, the followers had faced a credibility crisis, when the Indian Government Customs and Excise Department officers, on the basis of some anonymous tip-off from within the village, raided the hermitage in a weeklong operation, unearthing all the stored gold and silver ornaments including personal belongings of some of the disciples, during uncertain times of Emergency period in India. The Government had charged many of the disciples for illegal hoarding of wealth, but eventually lost the case since the recovered ornaments were not personal belongings of the Disciples, but belongings of the Sabha.[15][16][17] After years of uncertainty and fear, the disciples finally came back to the temple when they realized that the phenomenon ofIncorruptibility was continuing to take place even when Salai Andavargal was in a state ofMahasamādhi. The place where Salai Andavargal attainedMahasamādhi, is referred to as the "Ponnaranga Devalayam (Tamil: பொன்னரங்க தேவாலயம், Poṉṉaraṅka tēvālayam), meaning "The Golden Temple". All the Prayers, Rituals and Festivals are held around this Shrine.
Immediately after Salai Aandavargal attainedMahasamādhi on 12.02.1976, during the late 1970s and the 1980s, theHindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR & CE), Tamil Nadu, had attempted to take control of the Ponnaranga Devalayam Temple, which was heavily contested by the Temple before the Hon'ble High Court of Madras in Writ Appeal No. 151 of 1977, wherein the Hon'ble First Bench of the Madras High Court, vide an Order dated 23.09.1985, directed the department to make a decision under Section 63(a) of the HR&CE Act (Act 22 of 1959, Tamil Nadu) whether the Ponnuranga Devalayam Temple is a Hindu temple or not, before proceeding any further. As such, the case was contested by the Temple before the Deputy Commissioner of HR&CE Department in O.A. No. 69 of 1985, during which, depositions were obtained from several members of the community, who originally belonged to various religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Islam. Notably, several leading lawyers were followers of this Religion. One Meivazhi Kailai Anandhar, a Hindu by birth and leading criminal lawyer of that time, was the president of the Association till 1974[8] One Meivazhi Gowshal Anandar, a Muslim by birth and another leading criminal lawyer, who was the chairman of the Wakf Board; Justice Suryamurty, a retired Judge of the Hon'ble High Court, were all part of this Religion. It was noted in the proceedings that the Ponnuranga Devalayam and Meivazhi sabha were not exclusively intended for the Hindus alone, but non-Hindus also. It was observed in the proceedings that all the followers of Meivazhi Andavar have been strictly adopting the principles and regulations and mode of living, religious rituals, ceremonies, conducting of marriages, conducting of obsequies after death, as enumerated in their four sacred books, and that it is quite different from the regulations and the rituals to be followed by the Hindus at the time of religious ceremonies, like marriages, etc. It was further observed that the institution Ponnuranga Devalayam does not have anyThuvajasthambam,praharam,gopuram andVimaanam, etc., which are normal features for a Hindu Temple. Ultimately, the proceedings were concluded vide an Order dated 03.04.1986, holding that the Ponnuranga Devalayam and the Meivazhi sabha do not come under the purview of the HR&CE Act, (Act 22 of 1959, Tamil Nadu). This was also confirmed by the Hon'ble High Court of Madras in Writ Petition (Madurai) No. 13175 of 2012.
Meivazhi followers have a mandatory dress code for entering the ashram. It stipulates white panchakacham and a white pointedturban for its Male followers, while its female followers, wear a headscarf or cover their head with their Saree. The Senior followers (known as Anandars), who had obtained spiritual revelations (Tamil: உபதேசம் Upatēcam) from Salai Aandavargal, wear saffron clothing and wear saffron pointedturban with an upward-pointingcrescent symbol called as 'Kilnaamam' (Tamil: கிள்நாமம் Kiḷnāmām). Since 2007, the Government of Tamil Nadu had even provided a relaxation for the followers from wearing bike helmets when the Turban is worn, since many followers wear the Turban throughout the day.[18][19]
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The followers of Meivazhi do not worship any idols, tombs or any materialistic subjects, but they pray to the superior god within themselves. The rituals and festivals, which take place near the temple are merely a reminder that the superior god is within themselves. Daily rituals take place around-the-clock at the Ponnaranga Devalayam, throughout the year. The most significant prayer ritual for the followers is the evening one, which is attended by most people on any given day. The followers refer to the prayer rituals as 'Vanakkam (Tamil: வணக்கம் Vaṇakkam)', literally meaning 'Hello' or 'Greeting' in English, possibly referring to the meeting of Human soul with the God.
1. Recital of Maha Sankalpa Manthiram at 7:00 am;
2. Aravala Vanakkam at 12:00 pm;
3. Vanakkam at 6:00 pm; 9:00 pm; 12:00 am, 1:30 am, 3:00 am; 4:00 am; 4:30 am;
The Disciples take turns to stay in the temple throughout the day and at nights, they spread into three shifts of Para Vanakkam from 10:00 pm to 12:00 am; 12:00 am to 2:00 am and 2:00 am to 4:00 am;
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1. Piravaa naal Pirappu Thirunal (Tamil: பிறவா நாள் பிறப்பு திருநாள் Piṟavā nāḷ piṟappu tirunāḷ), celebrating the day of Spiritual rebirth of Salai Andavargal during the month ofPanguni.
2.Vaikaasi Thiruvizha (Tamil: வைகாசி திருவிழா Vaikāci tiruviḻā), comprising three festivals:-
3. Pichai Andavar Thirukkola Thiruvizha (Tamil: பிச்சை ஆண்டவர் திருக்கோல திருவிழா Piccai āṇṭavar tirukkōla tiruviḻā), during the month ofPurattaasi, celebrating the Bestower of Alms.
4. Thiru Avathara Thirunal (Tamil: திரு அவதார திருநாள் Tiru avatāra tirunāḷ), at the end ofMaargazhi and duringBhogi), celebrating the birth of Salai Andavargal.
5. Kolari Saalaiyar Pongal Festival (Tamil: கோளரி சாலையார் பொங்கல் திருநாள் Kōḷari cālaiyār poṅkal tirunāḷ) celebrating the festival of Pongal during the month ofThai, by preparation of sweet Pongal using holy water by the Disciples around the Ponnaranga Devalayam. Selva Pongal (instead of Mattu Pongal) is celebrated on the subsequent day.
6. Karthigai Deepam, (Tamil: கார்த்திகை தீபம் Kārttikai tīpam), celebrating the Festival of Lights in the month ofKarthikai)
7. Flag hoisting - 'Pooran Kodi' (Tamil: பூரான் கொடி Pūrāṉ koṭi), a special flag decorated with 92 bells, during thePanguni andVaikaasi festivals
8. Flag hoisting - 'Killnaama Kodi' (Tamil: கிள்நாமம் Kiḷnāmam)', a White flag bearing the Crescent Moon, is done twice every month, on the full moon day and on the third day of New Moon.
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