Question

Who were Alwar and Nayanar?

Hint:

Alwar and Nayanar played an important role in spreading devotion to Vishnu and Shiva through their hymns, and were instrumental in the Bhakti movement in South India.

Answer 1

Step 1: Alwar and Nayanar's Role in Bhakti Movement.
Alwar and Nayanar were saints in the Bhakti movement of medieval India. They are often associated with Tamil devotional literature.

Step 2: Alwar.
Alwar refers to a group of twelve Tamil saints who were devoted to Lord Vishnu. They expressed their devotion through hymns and songs, contributing to the development of Bhakti literature.

Step 3: Nayanar.
Nayanar refers to a group of sixty-three saints who were followers of Lord Shiva. Like the Alwars, they also composed hymns that helped shape the Bhakti movement in Tamil Nadu.