Who were Alvars ?

Who were Alvars ?

Those who immersed in devotion to Vishnu
Devotees of Shiva
Those who worshipped abstract form of God
Devotees of Shakti
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2019
The Alvars were poet-saints of South India who were devout followers of Vishnu (Vaishnavism). Their devotional hymns, compiled as the Divya Prabandha, are central to Vaishnavite tradition. The Nayanars were their counterparts in Shaivism (devotees of Shiva).
Alvars were Vaishnavite Bhakti saints from South India.
There were traditionally 12 Alvars. Their movement flourished between the 6th and 9th centuries CE and played a significant role in the Bhakti movement.