Margazhi Month-Thiruppavai and its Essence

Sri Andal is believed to be the embodiment incarnation of Sri Bhooma devi the Celestial Companion of Sriman Narayana-The one and only Supreme mighty. It is also believed that she took birth on this earth to free human beings from suffering and worldly bondage. She composed and sang thirty sweet songs containing the fundamental principles of Sanatana Dharma of Sri Vaishnava. This was sung in the month of Margazhi. In Bhagavat Gita Lord Krishna says "… I am Margazhi among 12th months…" When the sun enters from one rasi to the next rasi it is celebrated as Sankranthi.

This month is dedicated to the worship of deities. It starts normally on December 15-16 every year and ends on Jan13-14. This year it started on December 16, 2013, and end on January 13, 2014. It is again believed that human one earth year is considered as one day for Devas. So, this month in Deva Loka is considered morning time and it is Brahma muhurta for the Devas.

Generally, morning time is apt for worship and meditation. So, the recitations of Thiruppavai take place in all Vaishnava temples early morning 4:30 am. Again, Andal dedicated the whole month in composing the thirty songs and performed Katyayini Vrutam along with her friend Thorigal. This is also one of the reasons that there are no marriages or housewarming ceremonies and functions organized in this month. This whole month is dedicated to worship.

Again, the worship called Raapatthu and Pagalpatthu is celebrated in Sri Rangam Temple for 21 days. The most important worships in this month are Paavai Nombu, Vaikunda Ekadesi, Hanuman Jayanthi and Arudara Dharshan.

Who is Andal?

Andal lived in the first half of the Eighth century. Some scholars also have given possible dates as 3000 years B.C. Swami Vellukudi Krishnan in his upanyasam - discourse mentions it as in between Dwapar Yug and Kaliyug.

Perialwar found her as a baby in Tulasi garden, so she is also known as a Godhai meaning gift of Mother Earth. Andal was born at Srivilliputhur near Madurai, in Tamil Nadu in the Tamil month Adi, her birth star being Pooram, on a Tuesday, on the fourth day of the bright fortnight. Perialwar also known as Vishnucitta brought Andal by singing songs about Lord Krishna, teaching her all the stories and philosophy and Tamil poems and hymns composed by the great Alwars in praise of Lord Narayana. This intensified her longing for Lord Krishna, her passionate love for him made her to be his bride and none others. For more details on Andal please refer to Sri Vaishnava Siddhantham.

The Tiruppavai is a collection of thirty songs called paasuram in Tamil written by Andal. She wrote it in praise of Lord Vishnu called Perumal. Thiruppavai is part of the Divya Prabandham and consists of 4000 songs called Nalayirum contributed by twelve Alwars. Andal is the one she Alwars among eleven he Alwars. She has also written Nachiyarthirumuzhi.


Andal in the guise of a cowherd performs the vrat called as nombu in Tamil and intends to marry Lord Narayana and attain his abode forever. She along with unmarried friends of her age did great penance by calling her hometown as Gokul, and river Kaveri as Yamuna, and all of them as Gopikas who aspired for unification with Lord Krishna. The songs were recited for thirty days-one song a day, dedicated and sung in praise of Lord Narayana.

The first ten songs give speak about the main principles and purpose of the vrat to be observed. Here, she speaks of simple devotion and inner beauty that pleases the lord, not superficial beauty. As she had given up applying Khol or Kajal called Mai in Tamil (Khol is applied by women to beautify eyes). Many women do not apply during this month. She also describes what pleases Krishna. She further continues about community participation in performing vrat or nombu which would please Lord Krishna. She also emphasizes on the animals and birds' selfless participation in praying and nature with blissful, blossoming colourful flowers to offer the Lord. She then continues by praising the Lord's glory in the last ten songs.

Bhagawan Krishna's life and messages and Bhagavat Gita have been interpreted by various schools of Hinduism. In this Thiruppavai, Andal has put in the main essence of the entire eighteen chapters of the Bhagavat Gita and abstract of the Vedas in simple language that can reach the common people.

Bhagawan Krishna's life and messages and Bhagavat Gita have been interpreted by various schools of Hinduism. In this thiruppavai, Andal has put in the main essence of the entire eighteen chapters of the Bhagavat Gita and the abstract of Vedas in simple language that can reach the common people.