Questions tagged [alwar]

The alwar or azhwars were 12 Tamil poet-saints of south India who espoused ‘emotional devotion’ or bhakti to Visnu-Krishna in their songs of longing, ecstasy and service. The Alwars are crucially important figures in the development of Vaishnavism; it is the principles and beliefs embodied in the Alwars' poems that ultimately gave rise to the Sri Vaishnava sect.

They are twelve* in number. They are:

• Poigai Alwar

• Bhoothathalwar

• Peyalwar

• Thirumalisai Alwar

• Nammalwar

• Madhurakavi Alwar

• Kulashekhara Alwar

• Periyalwar

• Periyalwar

• Thondaradippodi Alwar

• Thiruppaan Alwar

• Thirumangai Alwar

* _{Vadakalai sect of Sri Vaishnavas considers only 10 alwars excluding Madhurakavi Alwar and Andal. They are worshipped and revered but not included in this list of Alwars.}