HOW DIFFERENT ARE TIRUPPAVVAI AND TIRUVEMPAVAI

   

 

The main difference between Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai, though they are sung in the month of Margazhi, is that one is sung in Vaishnavite temples and the other in Saivite temples.

The former one is composed by the female saint-poet Andal (885 to 825 CE) and the latter by the male saint-poet Manikkavacakar(862-885 CE).

The former is composed in praise of Lord Krishna and the latter of Lord Shiva.

 Thiruppavai is a Tamil tradition of unmarried girls performing rites and vows, while Thiruvempavai is a collection of songs composed by a poet-saint and can be sung by all.

Thiruppai- Each day of the month is named after one of the 30 verses of the Thiruppavai. Composed in Srivilliputhur. Thiruppavai is considered the root of all the Vedas, and the essence of the Vedas can be found in it. 

Thiruvempavai

A collection of 20 songs composed by the poet-saint Manikkavacakar, devoted to the Hindu deity Shiva. The songs were composed in the temple town of Thiruvannamalai during the month of Margazhi when the town was celebrating the Pavai Nolumbu. In the verses, the saint visualizes himself as a female and sings in praise of the Lord.