Who were Alvars and Nayanars?

The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints devoted to Lord Shiva who lived during the 6th to 8th centuries CE. The Alwars were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused devotion to the Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna in their songs of longing, and service.

Who called Alvars in South India?

Alvar, also spelled Azhvar, any of a group of South Indian mystics who from the 7th to the 10th century wandered from temple to temple singing ecstatic hymns in adoration of the god Vishnu. Their counterpart among the followers of the god Shiva were the Nayanars.

Who were the Alvars and Nayanars describe their relationship with the state?

The Alvars were the disciples of Lord Vishnu whereas the Nayanars were the devotees of Lord Shiva. They settled at one place and roamed in the nearby areas. They recited hymns in praise of their idol in Tamil language.

What is the meaning of Alvars?

The alvars, also spelt as alwars or azhwars (āḻvārkaḷ [aːɻʋaːr], Tamil : ஆழ்வார்கள் ‘those immersed in god’) were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused bhakti (devotion) to the Hindu god Vishnu or his avatar Krishna in their songs of longing, ecstasy and service.

Who were Nayanars in mediaeval South?

The Nayanars (or Nayanmars; Tamil: நாயன்மார், romanized: Nāyaṉmār, lit. ‘hounds of Siva’, and later ‘teachers of Siva’) were a group of 63 saints living in Tamil Nadu during the 3rd to 8th centuries CE who were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva.

Who did Nayanars Worshipped?

The Nayanars were the saints devoted to Shiva and the Alvars were saints devoted to Vishnu. They came from all castes including those considered “untouchable” like the Pulaiyar and the Panars. They were sharply critical of the Buddhists and Jainas and preached ardent love of Shiva or Vishnu as the path to salvation.

Who are the Nayanars in Tamil Nadu?

Who were Alvars and Nayanars Why were they popular amongst the masses?

Alvars are those who worshipped lord Vishnu and Nayanars are those who claimed to be the followers of Lord Shiva. They extensively travelled singing devotional song in the name of their gods. These sects gave a blow to the caste system and Brahmanism by their beliefs and practices. 1.

Who were Alvars and Nayanars How did they Popularise the Bhakti movement?

The alvar and nayanar saints popularized bhakti movement in South India. They came from different caste and followed different professions. They preached the path of surrendering oneself to God. These saint – poets travelled from place to place, singing hymns in praise of different Gods.

Who were Alvars devoted?

Alvars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism in the Tamil-speaking regions. The alvars were influential in promoting the Bhagavata cult and the two Hindu epics, namely, Ramayana and Mahabaratha.

Who were Alvars and Nayanars 12?

The Nayanars and Alvars were the Tamil poet-saints. They played a crucial role between the 5th-10th Centuries in propagating the Bhakti Movement in Southern India. The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints who lived between the 6th to 8th centuries CE, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

How many Alvars and Nayanars were there?

Orthodoxy posits the number of Alvars as ten, though there are other references that include Andal and Madhurakavi Alvar, making the number 12. Andal is the only female Alvar among the 12. Together with the contemporary 63 Shaivite Nayanars, they are among the most important saints from Tamil Nadu.

Who were the nayanars and Alwars?

The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints devoted to Lord Shiva who lived during the 6th to 8th centuries CE. The Alwars were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused devotion to the Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna in their songs of longing, and service.

Who are the Alvars of Hinduism?

The alvars, also spelt as alwars or azhwars (āḻvārkaḷ [aːɻʋaːr], Tamil : ஆழ்வார்கள் ‘those immersed in god’) were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused bhakti (devotion) to the Hindu god Vishnu or his avatar Krishna in their songs of longing, ecstasy and service.

Who were the Alwars of Tirumurai?

The Alwars were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused devotion to the Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna in their songs of longing, and service. The high priest of Raja Raja Chola I, Nambiyandar Nambi, compiled the hymns into a series of volumes called the Tirumurai.

What is Alwar or alvar in modern times?

Alvar or Alwar in modern times are confined to temples in South India. Still devout to Lord Vishnu, lot of the practices of have remained the same, except for some modern changes. Alvars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism in the Tamil-speaking regions.