Yadadri Tirumala Devasthanam
Manepally Hills, Bhuvanagiri, Telangana, 508115.
Manepally Hills, Bhuvanagiri, Telangana, 508115.
Manepally Hills, Bhuvanagiri, Telangana, 508115.
Manepally Hills, Bhuvanagiri, Telangana, 508115.
Alvar, also spelled Azhvar, any of a group of South Indian mystics who from the 7th to the 10th century wandered from temple to temple singing ecstatic hymns in adoration of the god Vishnu. Their counterpart among the followers of the god Shiva were the Nayanars.
The Alvars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu in Sri Vaishnavism, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism in the Tamil-speaking regions. The Alvars were influential in promoting the Bhagavata cult and the two Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
| Sl no | Alvar Saint | Modern dating | Traditional date and place | Composition | Month | Nakshatra | Avatar of | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poigai Alvar | 713 CE | 4203 BCE, Kanchipuram | Mutal Tiruvantati, 100 verses. | Aippasi | Thiruvonam (Sravana) | Panchajanya (Vishnu's conch) | |
| 2 | Bhoothath Alvar | 713 CE | 4203 BCE, Thirukadalmallai (Mahabhalipuram) | Irandam Tiruvantati, 100 verses. | Aippasi | Avittam (Dhanishta) | Kaumodaki (Vishnu's mace) | |
| 3 | Pey Alvar | 713 CE | 4203 BCE, Mylapore | Moondram Tiruvantati, 100 verses. | Aippasi | Sadayam (Shatabhisha) | Nandaka (Vishnu's sword) | |
| 4 | Thirumalisai Alvar | 720 CE | 3102 BCE Thirumalisai | Nanmugan Tiruvantati, 96 verses; Thiruchanda Virutham, 120 verses. | Thai | Magam (Maghā) | Sudarshana Chakra (Vishnu's discus) | |
| 5 | Nammalvar | 798 CE | 3059 BCE[30]Alwarthirunagiri (Kurugur) | Tiruvaymoli, 1102 verses; Thiruvasiriyam, 7 verses; Tiruviruttam, 100 verses; Periya Tiruvantati, 87 verses. | Vaikasi | Vishakam (Vishākhā) | Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander) | |
| 6 | Madhurakavi Alvar | 800 CE | 3049 BCE, Thirukollur | Kanninun Siruthambu, 11 verses. | Chittirai | Chittirai (Chithra) | Kumuda Ganesha (Vishvaksena's disciple) or Padma (Lotus) | |
| 7 | Kulasekhara Alvar (Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara?[27]) | 9th century CE[27] | 3075 BCE, Thiruvanchikulam | Perumal Tirumoli, 105 verses. | Māsi | Punar Poosam (Punarvasu) | Kaustubha (Vishnu's jewel embedded in his necklace) | |
| 8 | Periyalvar | 785 CE | 3056 BCE, Srivilliputhur | Periyalvar Tirumoli, 461 verses. | Āni | Svati | Garuda (Vishnu's mount) | |
| 9 | Andal | 767 CE | 3005 BCE, Srivilliputhur | Nachiyar Tirumoli, 143 verses; Thiruppavai, 30 verses. | Ādi | Pooram (Pūrva Phalgunī) | Bhudevi (Lakshmi's aspect as the earth goddess) |
