Ayyavazhi Paranormal Belief

Ayyavazhi paranormal belief is based basically on Hindu paranormal belief and accept the existence of ghosts and spirits as these are considered to be poor souls who because of some previous curse or terrible sin such as suicide are suspended in the between what is considered the higher worlds and earth.

It is considered that “good spirits” are simply awaiting the completion of their punishment and will be released from this dimension while “evil spirits” will continue to be punished.

If one is good they are reincarnated to a higher order and if one is bad they are reincarnated to a lower order.

These evil spirits are believed to inhabit desolate places, empty buildings, ancient ruins, branches of tress and especially in grave yards.

The Ayyavazhi paranormal belief is that evil spirits seek and bother people of impure minds and unclean habits.

The good spirits are to be found near places where religious ceremonies are performed or religious discourses given. They do not cause harm and may help as required.

There are tantric practices that speak to the possibility of the transfer of a Jiva’s vital energy into a dead body in order to temporarily revive it for certain rituals. It is also believed that a suspended soul may be taken control of to perform magic to cause harm to others. It is also possible to drive away those possessed with these evil spirits by using magic and rituals.

The Ayyavazhi religion does not have a unified system of belief encoded in a declaration of faith or a creed and believes in many Gods not just one God.

Bhakti or devotionalism as in Vaisnavism are Hindu beliefs but are not restricted to these themes.

The religion shares many ideas with Hinduism but differs in it’s concepts of good and evil and dharma.

It is thought that there may be as many as 8,000,000 adherents and most come from the more poor sections of the population. It had such a great rise in popularity that it became a great concern to Christian missionaries.

Arul Nool was the text which contained the written word of the Ayyavazhi beliefs and was released in 1927, and followed by the Akilum in 1933, almost a century after it had been written.

It is believed that there are seven holy places called Pathis and they are located throughout southern India.

The symbol of the Ayyavazhi is a lotus carrying a flame-shaped white Naman

The key teachings can be found in the book Akilattirattu Ammanai and other as found in the Arul Nool. The teachings are twofold, sociological and mystical. The mystical teachings are devoted to revealing divine knowledge, while social teachings are primarily concerned with eliminating inequality and discrimination in society.

The teachings encourage a positive relationship with God, as opposed to one based on fear. Followers are encouraged to refer to God as Ayya or dear father, to strengthen their intimacy and affection towards God.

Ayyavazhi condemns the caste system as based on it’s inate inequalities and is a source of reform in Indian society.

Religious Paranormal Belief

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