Saints:

6th to 5th Century BCE
Sri Mahavira (599 - 527 BCE?): ◍ Life: Born in Vaishali, Bihar. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Propagated the philosophy of Jainism based on Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya and Brahmacharya.
Sri Gautama Buddha (563 - 483 BCE?): ◍ Life: Born in Kapilvastu, Nepal. (Sri Gautama Buddha) ◍ Sadhana & Philosiphy: • Attained Enlightenment under the famous Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar. • Founder of Buddhism. Preached the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Paths. • Founded the Sangha of Buddhist monks.
5th to 4th Century BCE
4th to 3rd Century BCE
3rd to 2nd Century BCE
2nd to 1st Century BCE
1st to 2nd Century CE
2nd to 3rd Century CE
3rd to 4th Century CE
4th to 5th Century CE
5th to 6th Century CE
Alvars (5th - 9th Century): ◍ Life: Born in Tamil Nadu. (Andal) ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. ◍ Compositions: Collection of their hymns are known as Nalayira Divya Prabandham. ◍ Pilgrimages: 108 Vishnu temples praised by them are known as Divya Desams.
Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century): ◍ Life: Born in Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Shiva Bhakti. • Tradition of Shaiva Siddhanta. • Lives recorded in book Periya Puranam. ◍ Compositions: Collection of their hymns recorded in Tirumurai. ◍ Pilgrimages: 275 Shiva temples praised by them are known as Paadal Petra Sthalams.
6th to 7th Century CE
Alvars (5th - 9th Century) Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century)
7th to 8th Century CE
Alvars (5th - 9th Century) Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century)
8th to 9th Century CE
Alvars (5th - 9th Century) Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century)
Sri Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?): ◍ Life: Born in Kaladi, Kerala. (Sri Adi Shankaracharya) ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Knowledge of Brahman. • Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. ◍ Compositions: • Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. • Composed Sanskrit Stotras on various Deities. ◍ Other Deeds: • Founded four Mathas around the four corners of India. • Believed to be the organiser of Dashanami monastic order and founder of Shanmata tradition of worship.
9th to 10th Century CE
Sri Nathamuni (823 – 951 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. ◍ Compositions: Compiled the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.
10th to 11th Century CE
Sri Abhinavagupta (950 – 1016 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Kashmir. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Exponent of the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism (Trika System). ◍ Compositions: Composed Tantraloka and many other works.
11th to 12th Century CE
Sri Thirukachi Nambi (1009 - ? CE): ◍ Life: Born in Poonamallee, Chennai suburb, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. • A great devotee of Sri Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram.
Sri Ramanujacharya (1017 - 1137 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • Exponent of the philosophy of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. ◍ Compositions: • Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras (known as Sri Bhashya) and Bhagavad Gita. • Composed several texts on Sri Vaishnavism and organised the method of worship.
12th to 13th Century CE
Sri Sekkizhar (12th Century CE): ◍ Life: Born in Kundrathur, Chennai suburb, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Shiva Bhakti. • Tradition of Shaiva Siddhanta. ◍ Compositions: Compiled the Periya Puranam.
Sri Madhvacharya (1199 - 1278 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Udupi, Karnataka. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Exponent of the philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta. ◍ Compositions: • Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and several Upanishads. ◍ Other Deeds: Founded the Krishna Temple at Udupi and several other Mathas.
13th to 14th Century CE
Sri Vedanta Desika (1268 - 1369 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Thooppul, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. An acharya and a pillar of Vaishnavism. • Worshipped Lord Hayagriva at Thiruvahindrapuram and was blessed by the Lord. ◍ Compositions: Wrote several books in both Sanskrit and Tamil Language.
Sri Namdev (1270 - 1350 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Hingoli district, Maharashtra. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints. • Spent his life in devotion to Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur. • Proponent of Bhagavad Dharma and purity of living.
Sri Jnaneshwar or Dyaneshwar (1275 - 1296 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Apegaon, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. (Sant Jnaneshwar) ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Philosopher and Yogi of Nath Tradition. • Also, Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints. ◍ Compositions: • Composed Bhavartha Deepika (a commentary on Bhagavad Gita, popularly known as Dnyaneshwari) and Amrutanubhav.
14th to 15th Century CE
Sri Manavala Mamunigal (1370 - 1443 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Alwarthirunagiri, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • An acharya and proponent of Vishistadvaita philosophy of Vaishnavism. ◍ Compositions: Wrote several books and commentaries of Vaishnavism.
15th to 16th Century CE
Sri Surdas (1478 - 1573 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Sihi, Faridabad, Haryana. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Disciple of Sri Vallabhacharya. ◍ Compositions: • Composed Sur Sagar, which is a collection of thousands of melodious songs on Sri Krishna, only around 8000 extant now.
Sri Vallabhacharya (1479 - 1531 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Champaram, Chattisgarh. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Founder exponent of the philosophy of Shuddha Advaita Vedanta. • Believed to have got the vision of Srinathji (seven year old Krishna) whose temple is in Nathadwara, Rajasthan. ◍ Compositions: • Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras (known as Anubhasya) and Srimad Bhagavad Mahapurana. • Composed several texts on Krishna Bhakti.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Nabadwip, West Bengal. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Pillar of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. • Popularised the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. ◍ Compositions: • Composed Shikshashtakam (eight devotional prayers on Sri Krishna) in Sanskrit.
Sri Meerabai (1497 - 1557 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Merta, Rajasthan. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Disciple of guru Ravidass. ◍ Compositions: • Composed around 1300 Krishna Bhajans.
16th to 17th Century CE
Sri Tulsidas (1532 - 1623 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Rajapur, Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Rama Bhakti. ◍ Compositions: • Composed Ramcharitmanas, several Dohas and other texts. • Hanuman Chalisa is attributed to him. ◍ Other Deeds: Founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Sri Eknath (1533 - 1599 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Aurangabad district, Maharastra. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Krishna Bhakti. • Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints. • Disciple of Sri Janardhanaswami. ◍ Compositions: • Revived Dnyaneshwari. • Composed Eknath Bhagavatam, a commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam.
Sri Doddacharya (16th Century CE): ◍ Life: Born in Sholingur, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Vishnu Bhakti. • A great devotee of Sri Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram.
17th to 18th Century CE
Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu (1620 - 1688 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Nelakondapalli village, Khammam district, Telangana. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Rama Bhakti. ◍ Compositions: • Composed Ramadasu Keertanalu (devotional kirtanas dedicated to Sri Rama).
Sri Bhaskararaya Makhin (1690 – 1785 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Hyderabad, Telangana. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Lalita Bhakti. • Master of Sri Vidya Tradition. ◍ Compositions: • Among the many books authored by him are Saubhagya Bhaskara and Setubandha.
18th to 19th Century CE
Sri Ramprasad Sen (1723 - 1775 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Halishahar, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Kali Bhakti. • Performed his sadhana invoking Mother Kali in a Panchavati grove, often sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Ramprasad Vita Kali Temple of Halishahar. ◍ Compositions: • Composed many Shyama Sangeet (Bhajans on Mother Kali). ◍ Pilgrimage: Ramprasad Vita Kali Temple of Halishahar.
Sri Shyama Shastri (1762 - 1827 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Kamakshi Bhakti. ◍ Compositions: • One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar). • Composed many devotional compositions mostly in praise of Devi Kamakshi.
Sri Thyagaraja (1767 - 1847 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. (Thyagaraja) ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Rama Bhakti. ◍ Compositions: • One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Sri Shyama Shastri and Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar). • Composed thousands of devotional compositions in praise of Sri Rama. • His famous compositions are the Pancharatna Kritis.
Sri Kamalakanta Bhattacharya (1769 - 1821 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Bardhaman district, West Bengal. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Kali Bhakti. • Invoked Mother Kali sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman. ◍ Compositions: • Composed many Shyama Sangeet (Bhajans on Mother Kali). ◍ Pilgrimage: Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman.
Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar (1776 - 1835 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Musical compositions on various gods and goddesses. ◍ Compositions: • One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Shyama Shastri). • Composed hundreds of devotional compositions in praise of various gods and goddesses.
19th to 20th Century CE
Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri (1828 – 1895 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Ghurni village in Nadia district, West Bengal. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Master of Kriya Yoga. Initiated into yoga by Mahavatar Babaji himself. • Famous yogis in this Tradition are: - Sri Yukteshwar Giri: Disciple of Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri. - Paramahamsha Yogananda: Disciple of Sri Yukteshwar Giri.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836 - 1886 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Kamarpukur, West Bengal. (Sri Ramakrishna) ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Kali Bhakti • Rama Bhakti • Krishna Bhakti • Shiva Bhakti • Brahman (Advaita Vedanta) • Also practised Christanity and • Islam ◍ Compositions: • Sayings recorded as Ramakrishna Kathamrita in Bengali, which is translated in English as Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. ◍ Teachings: • Praying to God with intense yearning in heart in order to realize Him or Her. • God can be realized through any path if the devotee has this intense yearning in heart (Jato Mat, Tato Path). • Vision of Serving Man as God (Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva). ◍ Pilgrimages: • Ramakrishna Math Temples (headquarter in Belur Math).
Sri Bamakhepa (1837 - 1911 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Atla village, Rampurhat, Birbhum district, West Bengal. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Tara Bhakti. • Invoked Mother Tara sitting on a Panchamundi Asana at the Tarapith Maha Samshan ground (Cremation ground). • Performed sadhana under the guidance of Kailashpati Baba and Mokshadananda. ◍ Pilgrimage: Tarapith Temple, Rampurhat, Birbhum district, West Bengal.
Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Kolkata, West Bengal. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Practical Vedanta • Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. ◍ Compositions: • Lectures, Compositions, Letters etc. recorded in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. (Sayings of Swami Vivekananda) ◍ Teachings: • Character Building, i.e. building the right tendencies of mind using will power, discrimination and high ideal for the welfare of many. • Practical Vedanta, i.e. the vision of Advaita Vedanta applied in practical life to raise the masses, regenerate India and for welfare of many. In this context comes his precept of Serving Man as God. • Acceptance of all valid paths as a means to realize God. • Four Yogas - Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga for a balanced development of human being and God realization. ◍ Other Deeds: Founder of Ramakrishna Maths and Missions.
Sri Ramana Maharshi (1879 - 1950 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Thirucuzhi, near Madurai. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Realized the Self through a death experience during boyhood. • Suggested Aatma Vichara (Self-Enquiry), or the direct enquiry within oneself to find the source from where the "I" rises. ◍ Compositions: • Sayings recorded in many books including Who am I, Day by Day with Bhagavan and Talks. (Sayings of Ramana Maharshi) • Famous song Arunachala Akshara Manimalai (Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva). ◍ Pilgrimage: Thiruvannamalai (Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu).
Sri Paramahamsha Yogananda (1893 – 1952 CE): ◍ Life: Born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. ◍ Sadhana & Philosophy: • Master of Kriya Yoga. . ◍ Compositions: • Writer of the famous book Autobiography of a Yogi. ◍ Other Deeds: • Founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) for teaching Kriya Yoga.
20th to 21st Century CE