INDIAN HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The best known among them were Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar. There are two sets of compilations of their songs – Tevaram and Tiruvacakam. There were 12 Alvars, who came from equally divergent backgrounds, the best known being Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, Tondaradippodi Alvar and Nammalvar.

Detailed explanation-2: -The first three Alvars, called the Mudal Alvars are Poigai Alvar, Bhudat Alvar and Pey Alvar, born in Kanchipuram, Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) and Mylapore (Chennai) travelled to various places singing the glory of Vishnu.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Alvars (Tamil: , romanized: Āḻvār, lit. ‘The Immersed’) were the Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused bhakti (devotion) to the Hindu preserver deity Vishnu, in their songs of longing, ecstasy, and service. They are venerated in Vaishnavism, which regards Vishnu as the Ultimate Reality.

Detailed explanation-4: -Alvars and Nayanars of Tamil Nadu The Alvars and Nayanars led some of the earliest Bhakti movements (c. sixth century). Alvars – those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu. Nayanars – those who are devotees of Shiva. They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil praising their gods.