by the middle of nineteenth century, ayyavazhi had come to be recognised as a separate religion, grown well in the region of south travancore and south tirunelveli. the growth in its number of followers had increased speedly from 1840s. after the death of vaikundar, the religion was spread on the basis of his teachings and the religious books "akilattirattu ammanai" and "arul nool". the five citars, who were the deciples of ayya vaikundar, and their descendants travelled to several parts of the country and carried the mission of ayyavazhi. at that time the payyan dynasty started ruling of swamithoppe pathi, while other pathis came under the control of the followers of ayya. hundreds of nizhal thangals (places of worship) were built across the country. currently bala prajapathi adikalar, one of descendant of payyan dynasty is said to be as the leader of ayyavazhi. he has laid foundations for a large number of nizhal thangals all over south india. and now seeing the growth of the religion the day of birth of vaikundar, ayya vaikunda avataram was announced as a holiday by the government for the districts of tirunelveli and tuticorin from this year while the district of kanyakumari was announced as a holiday earlier.