Shamanism in Ayyavazhi

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Ayyavazhi
Theology Ekam Vethan Thirumal Sivan Vaikundar The Trinity
Scriptures Akilathirattu Ammanai Akilam one Akilam two Akilam three Akilam four Akilam five Akilam six Akilam seven Akilam eight Akilam nine Akilam ten Akilam eleven Akilam twelve Akilam thirteen Akilam fourteen Akilam fifteen Akilam sixteen Akilam seventeen Arul Nool Ukappadippu Uccippadippu Nadutheervai Ula Pothippu Saattu Neettolai Patthiram Panchadevar Urppatthi Sivakanta Athikarappatthiram Thingal patham Kannimar Padal Kalyana Vazhthu
Holy sites Pancha pathi Swamithope Pathi Ambala Pathi Mutta Pathi Thamaraikulam Pathi Poo Pathi Pathis Vakaippathi Avathara Pathi Primary Thangals Chettikudiyiruppu Agastheeswaram Paloor Sundavilai Vadalivilai Kadambankulam Pambankulam
Related systems Hinduism Advaita Smartism Shaivism Vaishnavism
Inter-faith Ayyavazhi in Christian reports
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Shamanism is practiced in Ayyavazhi, a Hindu denomination predominantly found in South India. According to Ayyavazhi practitioners, it has been practiced since the period of Lord Vaikundar. At present certain people who are considered to be posed by the divine power use to perform shamanism in many Ayyavazhi worship centers. Though a whole acceptance from the followers in not there for this practise, several followers accept this. They claim that this practise was based on quotes on scriptures such as "to convey certain messages to the ordinary folk." Some also believe that through the words of these possessed persons one could be able to know what God tells about him or herself or their activities.

As part of shamanic practice, they exhort the people on various matters, practiced divination (Kanakku) to discern the causes of sickness and misfortunes, and 'foretold future happenings' . Some LMS reports attest to the prevalence of shamans and shamanistic practices in centres of Ayyavazhi. This is now in practice in some worship centres. The Akilathirattu seems to have recognizes shamanic acts of worship. A quote in Arul Nool reads, "For imparting knowledge and making things clear, I kept those who practice divination in the temples." Though shamanism was practised in Ayyavazhi, it was accepted by the scriptures only as an ignorant way of worship (beginning stage in worship) or the initial way to teach a beginner the metaphysics.

Desika Vinayaham Pillai, the popular poet from Travancore, in his book Mammakkal Vali Manmiyam, alludes to the existence of practice of such 'kanakku' at Ayyavazhi centres of worship.