Alvar saints belonged to which one of the following religions?

The correct answer is Vaishnav.

Key Points

• The Alvar saints were Tamil poet-saints who were devoted to Lord Vishnu, promoting Vaishnavism in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries CE.
• They composed devotional hymns known as the Divya Prabandham, which are considered sacred texts in the Vaishnav tradition.
• The Alvars emphasized bhakti (devotional worship) as a means to attain salvation, rejecting rigid rituals and caste hierarchies.
• The group consisted of 12 saints, including renowned figures like Andal (the only female Alvar) and Nammalvar.
• Their teachings and hymns significantly influenced the Bhakti movement and the development of temple architecture and practices in South India.

Additional Information

• Vaishnavism:
  • It is one of the major traditions within Hinduism, centered on the worship of Lord Vishnu and his incarnations like Rama and Krishna.
  • Vaishnavism emphasizes bhakti (devotion) and the concept of Vishnu as the supreme deity.
  • The tradition has a rich history of philosophical schools, including Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita and Madhva's Dvaita.
• Divya Prabandham:
  • A collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns composed by the Alvar saints, expressing their devotion to Vishnu.
  • These hymns are recited in Vaishnav temples during daily worship and festivals.
• Bhakti Movement:
  • A pan-Indian devotional movement emphasizing personal devotion to God over ritualistic practices.
  • The Alvars and Nayanars in South India were key influencers of this movement.
• Andal:
  • The only female Alvar saint, known for her unmatched devotion to Vishnu and her poetic work Tiruppavai.
  • She is revered as an incarnation of Bhudevi (Earth Goddess).