A Nizhal Thangal (also called Narayana Swamy Temple) is a simple temple of the Ayyavazhi religion built per the instructions of Akilattirattu Ammanai by commoners in order to worship without distinction of color, race or caste. Cleanliness is strictly enforced: there are no sacrifices, no incenses, no arathi and no poojari. Inside the temples, no murti is used. Instead, a saffron cloth is laid on a chair, upon which a rudraksha is placed, and a mirror is placed on the wall behind it. Tamil is the official language of worship, and the object of worship is Lord Narayana with the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. A survey from the year 1998 states that there are approximately 7000 Nizhal Thangals throughout South India.
Some Nizhal Thangals serve as community centers, with facilities to cook for large crowds of people; others serve as schools for the community.
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| | Topics in Ayyavazhi |
|---|
| Akilattirattu Ammanai (Primary Scripture) |
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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 (Secondary scripture) |
|---|
| Ukappatippu | Ucchippadippu | Vazhappadippu | Saattu Neettolai | Pothippu | Sivakanta Athikarappatthiram | Patthiram | Saptha Kannimar Padal | Thingal patham | Panchadevar Urppatthi | Nadutheervai Ula | Kalyana Vazhthu |
| Philosophical Concepts |
|---|
| Avatar | Ekam | Sivam | Sakthi | Thirukkalyana Ekanai | Tatvas | Kroni | Kalimayai | Kaliyan | Reincarnation | Dharma | Kosas |
| Holy Places |
|---|
| Swamithoppepathi | Ambalappathi | Muttappathi | Tamaraikulampathi | Pooppathi | Vakaippathi | Avatharappathi |
| Worship Centers: |
|---|
| Pathis | Nizhal Thangals |
| God |
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| Ekam | Ayya Vaikundar | Sivan | Vethan | Thirumal | The Trinity |
| Yugas |
|---|
| Neetiya Yuga | Chathura Yukam | Netu Yukam | Kretha Yukam | Thretha Yukam | Dwapara Yukam | Kaliyukam | Dharma Yukam |
| Religiosity |
|---|
| Theology | Religious Practices | Main teachings |
| Festival and Celebrations |
|---|
| Ayya vaikunda Avataram | Thiru Eadu Vasippu | Kodiyettru Thirunal | Panguni Theertham | Aruvadai Pichai |
| Movements |
|---|
| Ayya Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam | Vaikundar Anbar Sangam | Ayyavazhi Makkal Iyakkam | Vaikundar Seva Sangam | Akilam Kalai Ilakkiya Peravai | Veeman Citar Arakkattalai |