Ayyavazhi worship centers hinge on a beautifully decentralized, grassroots setup that ties back to Ayya Vaikundar’s vision of equality and community spirit. Two main types of venues carry forward this legacy: the sacred Pathis and the more numerous Nizhal Thangals.

1. Pathis
   • Swamithope Pathi sits at the heart of Ayyavazhi life. Custodianship remains in the Payyan family line—direct descendants entrusted with preserving rituals, scriptures and the sanctity of the inner hall.
   • Day-to-day affairs—festivals, maintenance, finance—are handled by a small administrative circle of hereditary trustees, supported by rotating volunteers from local villages.
   • Special events like Ayya Vaikunda Avataram (celebrated with ever-growing fervor even among second-generation diaspora communities in Europe and North America) are coordinated year-round, since planning a procession for thousands doesn’t happen overnight.

2. Nizhal Thangals
   • Literally “shade-sheds,” these are neighborhood hubs where volunteers pitch in—no formal priesthood, just devoted laypeople who lead prayers, scriptural readings and charitable kitchens.
   • Leadership roles (coordinator, treasurer, festival secretary) tend to rotate annually to keep fresh energy flowing. Committees meet monthly, ensuring everything from bamboo decorations to the new livestream setup for Panguni celebrations runs like clockwork.
   • The spirit is “many hands make light work”—every pot of pongal or song in praise of the One takes shape through communal effort.

Across both Pathis and Thangals:
– All castes and backgrounds work shoulder to shoulder, living Ayya’s call for oneness.
– No idols, no hierarchies; respect for the sacred text “Akilattirattu Ammanai” guides each gathering.
– Recent tech-savvy shifts (Zoom bhajans, WhatsApp study circles) have only deepened the sense of shared purpose.

In today’s climate—where social bonds often strain—Ayyavazhi centers stand out as a living testament to collective devotion, proving that faith can flourish when everyone pitches in, heart and soul.