Swamithoppe Ayya Vaikundar Temple

Swamithoppe Pathi is the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi, the head of all Worship centers of Ayyavazhi, and the sacred venue of the Tavam. Religiously Swamithope is considered primary among the Pancha pathi and the primary centre of the incarnational activities of Vaikundar.According to Ayyavazhi legends, Ayya Vaikundar, an incarnation of Lord Narayana, carried out his tavam at Poovantanthoppe, attracting many followers from across India. On his pass-away Ayya Vaikundar was believed to be interred there, and the square-shaped 'pathi' was constructed enveloping him. The holy book Akilathirattu ammanai of Ayyavazhi refers to the temple as "Thoppuppathi".Genesis and historyAs per Akilam, Ayya Vaikundar incarnated from the Sea, and after providing rules and regulations to God-heads, came to Detchanam (Swamithoppe) and performed Tavam for six years in the place which was now known as Vada-va-mugam in Swamithoppe. Then when the Kalineesan came to arrest him he went once again into the sea at Muttappathi and after that (in Tamil called the Vinchai), he returned Swamithoppe, from where he was arrested.