SAINTS OF HINDUISM-(ALWARS)

Sangam Age (that lasted till ca. 3rd century AD) is an important period for Tamil Literature. After this, during the next few centuries (Kalabhra Period) there was a lull in literary output. Then came a period of about four centuries (6- 10th C. AD) when a number of devotional or Bakthi literature appeared. There were many important saivaite and Vaishnavaite literature contributions. On a latter date, Nambi Andar Nambi and Nathamuni compiled respectively these saivaite and vaishnavaite literary works as "twelve thirumurais" and "naalayira divya prabhandam". Amongst many Tamil devotees who lived and contributed during this period, 63 saivaite ones (known as Nayanmaars) and 12 vaishnavaite ones (known as Alwars) stand out for their extreme devotion and dedication to God. Herein we list details of these Tamil Saints of this Bakthi period.

Alvar means one who is "immersed" in the experience of God, the omnipresent mysterious One. Tradition reckons 12 Alvars. They come from all walks of life and all strata of society and include in their ranks one woman. Between the fifth and ninth century, in the Tamil-speaking region of South India, these saints revitalized the Indian religious milieu, sparking a renewal of devotional worship throughout the subcontinent. Traveling from place to place, from temple to temple, from holy site to holy site, they composed exceedingly beautiful poetry to their Divine Beloved, Vishnu, as an expression of their love for Him. Anyone can see why their poetry was so attractive; at once both impassioned and philosophical, their words cut across all barriers of caste and class, attracting all to their faith. In doing so, they sculpted a new religious heritage of intensely emotional bhakti, or love of the Divine, whose impact is still felt today in the Indian religious life.
The Alvars composed approximately 4000 Tamil verses. In the 9th-10th centuries, the philosopher-saint Nathamuni went to extraordinary efforts to recover these verses from near oblivion. Nathamuni arranged them as the Divya Prabandham, or Divine Collection, set many of them to music, and rejuvenated the tradition of formally reciting them in temples.

ALWARS (Vaishnavaite Saints)

History of Alwars