Who were Alvars?

The Alvars were a group of twelve Tamil poet-saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE in South India [2]. The term 'Alvar' literally translates to those who are 'immersed deeply' in the love and devotion of God [2]. They were ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu (Vaishnavas) and played a foundational role in the Bhakti movement by spreading the message of spiritual surrender and fervent love for the Divine [2]. Their devotional hymns were later compiled into the 'Nalayira Divya Prabandham', which remains a central liturgical text in the Sri Vaishnava tradition [1]. Unlike their counterparts, the Nayanars, who were devotees of Shiva, the Alvars focused exclusively on Vishnu and his various incarnations. They hailed from diverse social backgrounds and used the vernacular Tamil language to make spirituality accessible to all, regardless of caste or gender.

Sources

1. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > 9.6 Tamil Devotionalism > p. 130
2. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Sources > p. 117