Alvars

Alvars (6th - 9th century) (literally meaning those immersed in God) were poet-saints of Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied ecstatic devotion towards Lord Vishnu. They sang divine hymns praising the 108 sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu which are called the Divya Desams. The collection of their divine hymns are known as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. The 12 Alvars are:

1. Poygai Alvar
2. Bhootatt Alvar
3. Pey Alvar
4. Thirumalisai Alvar (Thirumazhisai)
5. Nammalvar (Nammazhvar)
6. Madhurakavi Alvar
7. Kulashekhara Alvar
8. Periyalvar (Periyazhvar)
9. Andal
10. Thondaradippodi Alvar
11. Thiruppan Alvar
12. Thirumangai Alvar

1. Sri Poygai Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thiruvekka, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Panchajanya (Conch of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions: Mudal Thiruvantadi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

2. Sri Bhootatt Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thirukkadalmallai (Mahabalipuram), Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Kaumodaki (Mace of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions: Irundam Thiruvantadi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

3. Sri Pey Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thirumayilai (Mylapore), Chennai, Chennai district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Nandaka (Sword of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions: Mundram Thiruvantadi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

4. Sri Thirumalisai (Thirumazhisai) Alvar (Bhaktisara) (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thirumazhisai, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Sudarshana (Discus of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions:
• Nanmugan Thiruvantadi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
• Thiruchandaviruttam (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

5. Sri Nammalvar (Nammazhvar) (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thirukkurugur (Alvar Thirunagari), Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Vishwaksena (Army Chief of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions:
• Thiruviruttam (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
• Thiruvaciriyam (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
• Periya Thiruvantadi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
• Thiruvaymozhi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

6. Sri Madhurakavi Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thirukkolur, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Garuda (Carrier of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions: Kanninum Siruttambu (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

7. Sri Kulashekhara Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thiruvanjikkulam (Thiruvanchikulam), Kodungallur, Thrissur district, Kerala.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Kaustubha (Jewel of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions: Perumal Thirumozhi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

8. Sri Periyalvar (Periyazhvar) (Vishnuchitta) (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Srivilliputtur, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Ratha (Vehicle of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions:
Thiruppallandu (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
Periyazhvar Thirumozhi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

9. Sri Andal (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Srivilliputtur, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Incarnation of Bhoomi Devi (Consort of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions:
• Thiruppavai (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
• Nachiyar Thirumozhi (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

10. Sri Thondaradippodi Alvar (Vipra Narayana) (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Thirumandangudi, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Vaijayanti (Garland of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions:
• Thirumalai (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)
• Thiruppali Ezhucci (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

11. Sri Thiruppan Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars

◍ Life: Born in Nichulapuri (Uraiyur), Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti
• Partial incarnation of Srivatsam (Divine Mark of Lord Vishnu).

◍ Compositions: Amalanadipiran (Part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham)

12. Sri Thiruppan Alvar (5th - 9th Century CE):

Alvars