The term “Alvars” refers to a group of twelve ancient Tamil poet-saints in South India who were devoted to the worship of Lord Vishnu. The Alvars lived between the 5th and 9th centuries CE and played a significant role in the development and spread of the Bhakti movement, particularly the Vaishnavism tradition.
Each Alvar composed devotional hymns, known as “pasurams,” expressing their intense love and devotion to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. These hymns are compiled in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 verses, which is considered a holy scripture in the Tamil Vaishnavite tradition.
The twelve Alvars are:
- Poigai Alvar
- Bhoothath Alvar
- Pey Alvar
- Thirumalisai Alvar
- Kulasekhara Alvar
- Periyalvar
- Andal
- Thondaradippodi Alvar
- Thiruppaan Alvar
- Thirumangai Alvar
- Nammalvar
- Madhurakavi Alvar
The works of the Alwars are highly revered by Vaishnavites, and their hymns are still recited and sung in temples and households across South India.