Fast of the maiden
Text and pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“Thiruvempaavai” is a fast mostly observed by unmarried women to be blessed with good husbands, and to have a blissful married life. The fast is popularly known as the “fast of the maiden”. Women wake up before the crack of dawn, go from house to house and wake up their friends, take a shower while singing religious hymns, and go to the temple at dawn.
““Thiruvempaavai” is observed during the Tamil month of “Maargazhi” for ten days, and the tenth day is popularly known as “Maargazhi Thiruvaathirai”, on which day Lord Siva performed cosmic dance (known as “Aanantha Thaandavam” in Tamil) in Chithamparam. Women sing “Thiruvempaavai” (twenty hymns) which was composed by a sage Maanikkavaasagar, who imagined himself as a woman, composed these hymns in praise of Lord Siva. The hymns were composed in the temple town of Thiruvannaamalai.
There is another legend which mentions, Goddess Aandaal observed a fast for 10 days to have Lord Sri Ranganathan as her husband. It is believed that the Goddess Aandaal woke up before dawn, bathed in the river with her friends, sang “Thiruppaavai” (thirty hymns) composed by the Goddess Aandaal herself, and prayed during the month of “Maargazhi”. Therefore, the fast “Thiruvempaavai” is also known as “Paavai Nonbu” (fast by women).
It is noted that “Thiruvempaavai” is sung at Lord Sivan temples, while “Thiruppaavai” is sung at Lord Vishnu temples during the “Thiruvempaavai” festival. “Thiruppalliyezhuchchi” is also sung during the month of “Maargazhi” to wake up the God at dawn” says Brambhashri Sathiyanaaraayana Kurukkal, priest at Dehiwala Nedimala Sri Venkadeswara Maha Vishnu temple.
Cosmic dance by Lord Siva
“Thiruvempaavai” is a fast mostly observed by unmarried women to be blessed with good husbands, and to have a blissful married life. The fast is popularly known as the “fast of the maiden”. Women wake up before the crack of dawn, go from house to house and wake up their friends, take a shower while singing religious hymns, and go to the temple at dawn.
““Thiruvempaavai” is observed during the Tamil month of “Maargazhi” for ten days, and the tenth day is popularly known as “Maargazhi Thiruvaathirai”, on which day Lord Siva performed cosmic dance (known as “Aanantha Thaandavam” in Tamil) in Chithamparam. Women sing “Thiruvempaavai” (twenty hymns) which was composed by a sage Maanikkavaasagar, who imagined himself as a woman, composed these hymns in praise of Lord Siva. The hymns were composed in the temple town of Thiruvannaamalai.
There is another legend which mentions, Goddess Aandaal observed a fast for 10 days to have Lord Sri Ranganathan as her husband. It is believed that the Goddess Aandaal woke up before dawn, bathed in the river with her friends, sang “Thiruppaavai” (thirty hymns) composed by the Goddess Aandaal herself, and prayed during the month of “Maargazhi”. Therefore, the fast “Thiruvempaavai” is also known as “Paavai Nonbu” (fast by women).
It is noted that “Thiruvempaavai” is sung at Lord Sivan temples, while “Thiruppaavai” is sung at Lord Vishnu temples during the “Thiruvempaavai” festival. “Thiruppalliyezhuchchi” is also sung during the month of “Maargazhi” to wake up the God at dawn” says Brambhashri Sathiyanaaraayana Kurukkal, priest at Dehiwala Nedimala Sri Venkadeswara Maha Vishnu temple.
The great saints of the religion has spelt out the imporatnce of temple worship
Statuesque view of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar temple
Garland making is a traditional livelihood which is being followed by a very few young people
Temple worship is divine and immemorial
Fragrance of fresh flower garlands adds fervour to the festival
Statues around the corner at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar temple
Ghee lamps are usually lit to fulfill vows
Karuppaiah Sivanathanseen busy making fresh flower garlands for the "Margazhi" festival |
Colourful "Kolam" (traditional drawing) for the festival
Pictorial on Ceylon Today of 6th of January 2013
Courtesy: CEYLON TODAY |
posted by DushiYanthini at 2:00 AM
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