1. Who were the first ones to observe Marghazi Nonbu and towards whom was it initially directed?
It was not Andaal and her friends. But Gopis of Vrindhavan. They observed this fast to please Goddess Katyaayani to get Good husbands.
2. Which places stand as birth places for Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai? –
Thiruppavai –Srivilliputhur; Thiruvempavai – Tiruvannamalai.
3. Why do men also observe Paavai nonbu when the term Paavai is generally linked to females?
– Because in Bakthi, there is no gender bias. The Lord is the only Love and we are His humble consorts who have nothing else but our unconditional love to offer for His Grace.
4. Andal wrote Thiruppavai. Who wrote Thiruvempavai? –Manickavasagar
5. How many stanzas are there in Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai? Thiruppavai – 30, Thiruvempaavai - 20
6. What are the singletons that is recited along with Thiruppavai called?
They are called Thaniyans. There are 3 Thaniyans in Thiruppavai and these were not written by Andal. The Thiruppavai also includes 3 thaniyans (literally, 'singletons' or stand alone verses) composed by later authors to introduce older texts. The first tanniyan, 'Nila tungastana...' in Sanskrit was composed by Parasara Pattar, and the next two tanniyans, 'Anna vayal pudhuvai...' and "Choodi kodutha..." (translated below) were composed by Sri Uyyakondar.
