திருவம்பாவை

திருவம்பாவை (Thiruvammbavai) written by Saint Maanikkavasakar (his time period is still under discussion as he is not included in 63 Nayamars, few place him before nayanmars while few place after 63 Nayanmars, I feel his period should be before Nayanmars, anyway like any person not his period but whats his contribution thats important to us) is sung by the Tamils and foreign a like. Read in தெய்வத்தின் குரல் how this was once celebrated by people in Thailand with trimbavai and trippavai.

ஆதியும் அந்தமும் இல்லா அரும் பெரும் ஜோதியை யாம் காண
Begining less, end less great grace light we are to see - Its the reference to திருவண்ணாமலை Thiruvannamalai. This hill of fire/light of wisdom itself is said to be Shiva Linga(Linga meaning symbol, Thus Shiva's symbol)...

I think its also Maanikkavasakar who sung in Thiruvasagam தென்னாடுடைய சிவனே போற்றி எந்நாட்டவர்க்கும் இறைவா போற்றி (Hail Siva,who owns country in South and Hail he who is THE LORD to ALL COUNTRIES.)

Saw the pictures in http://picasaweb.google.com/rkmcey/Thiruvempavai112010Thiruvathirai?feat=content_notification# and thought of sharing it with few. For I still remember as a kid of less than 10 years, remember those early mornings of the village when young boys braving the December cold, carry a lamp,சேமங்கலம் (hope got it correct), sangu(this is used in many tribes of all words in different forms to show the sign of victory among others as Krishna uses his own in Maha Bharatham) and goes around the village waking up all the people..Those days are only in memory...but these fotos definitely brought up those memories...and also how Saint Maanikkavasakar's work continues over centuries upon centuries...This is the great works of great men....They continue to live forever.