Within the Ayyavazhi tradition, the rhythm of the year is shaped above all by festivals that recall the life, incarnation, and teachings of Ayya Vaikundar. Central among these is Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, which commemorates the divine descent of Vaikundar and is observed with particular fervor on the twentieth day of the Tamil month of Masi. This celebration gathers devotees at sacred centers such as Swamithope Pathi and other Pathis and Nizhal Thangals, where communal worship, processions, and devotional recitations focus attention on the transformative significance of this incarnation. The festival functions not only as a remembrance of a historical or mythic event, but as a living re-affirmation of the community’s spiritual identity.

Another major observance is Thiru‑Eadu Vasippu, the extended festival of scriptural recitation. Over many days, the Akilattirattu Ammanai, the primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, is read continuously, especially at Swamithope Pathi. This sustained reading creates a sacred atmosphere in which the narrative of Vaikundar’s mission, the cosmic drama, and the ethical vision of the tradition are allowed to permeate the consciousness of the devotees. In this way, the festival becomes both a communal act of worship and a disciplined engagement with the text, blending devotion, study, and contemplation.

Kodiyettru Thirunal, the flag‑hoisting festival, provides another important axis of the ritual calendar. Celebrated as a multi‑day event in Swamithope and other key centers, it marks the commencement of auspicious observances and is accompanied by processions, singing of religious songs, and collective acts of reverence. The raising of the flag can be seen as a symbolic proclamation of dharma and a visible reminder of Vaikundar’s mission in the world. Through such festivals, the community continually re-enacts its sacred history, allowing the narrative of Ayyavazhi to be woven into the fabric of everyday life.

In addition to these principal observances, Ayyavazhi followers also mark other days connected with the journeys and deeds of Vaikundar, often through processions and commemorations at specific sacred sites. These occasions highlight episodes such as his travels, his interactions with devotees, and key moments in the unfolding of his spiritual work, as preserved in the Akilattirattu Ammanai. Many adherents, shaped by their Tamil cultural milieu, may also participate in broader regional festivals, yet the distinctively Ayyavazhi celebrations remain those that center explicitly on Ayya Vaikundar, the scripture, and the Pathis. Through this cycle of festivals, devotion, memory, and communal identity are continually renewed.