Who were the Nayanars ?

The Nayanars were a group of 63 Tamil poet-saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE and were devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. They played a pivotal role in the Bhakti movement in South India, emphasizing personal devotion and emotional bonding with the divine as a path to salvation, often challenging the rigid ritualism of the time [2]. Their hymns, such as those composed by Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar, were later compiled into the sacred collection known as the Tirumurai. While the Nayanars were Shaivite leaders, the Alvars were their counterparts who were immersed in devotion to Vishnu [2]. The Nayanars came from diverse social backgrounds and their movement was significantly patronized by the Chola, Pallava, and Pandya dynasties, leading to the construction of magnificent Shiva temples and the integration of their hymns into temple rituals [2].

Sources

1. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > 2.4 Relations with the state > p. 146
2. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > Shastras or devotion? > p. 144