Thread by @jeysundhar_d

Nice piece by @MadrasMobile comparing the Tiruppavai and the Tiruvempavai/Tiruppalliezhuchi.

A small addendum.
The ritual bath (நீராடல்) celebrated in the Tiruppavai and the Tiruvempavai does not go back to the Bhakti era, but long before that to the Sangam Age.

#ShortThread

https://twitter.com/MadrasMobile/status/1730806362249347499

In Paripadal 11, the poet Nallanthuvanar talks about the Athirai star (green underline - Arudra Darisanam of the month of Margazhi) and women performing the Amba Aadal (red underline). +

It is likely that this Amba is the same as Ma Katyayani, the vrata dedicated to whom is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana
कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि ।
नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नम: ।

Andal's Pavai Nonbu is an emulation of this Katyayani Vrata, or Amba Aadal.

But then, what about the Paavai of Paavai Nonbu?

That comes in Agananooru 181, which talks about the Paavai made with hand by the girls of the household.

Another reference is from Nattrinai 22, where the poet compares monkeys drenched by rain and stuffing their mouths with food, with those that perform the Nonbu/Vrata bath and eat only after that.

Admittedly, this mentions the month of Thai (not Margazhi), but the earlier reference to Athirai star, with Arudra Darisanam celebrated in Margazhi, tells us that the Nonbu may have been observed during Margazhi, going into Thai.

Ritual bath/நீராடல் was an integral part of it.

Thank you for reading.

@threadreaderapp Please compile.