Periyalwars

The Periyalvars are a group of 12 Tamil Hindu saints and poets who lived in South India during the 6th to 9th centuries CE. They are revered for their devotion to the Hindu god Vishnu and are considered among the greatest devotees of the god in Hindu tradition. The Periyalvars are known for their compositions, known as "Divya Prabandham," which are a collection of 2,750 verses written in Tamil. These verses are a significant part of the Tamil canon and are recited during festivals and religious ceremonies.

The Periyalvars are traditionally divided into three groups based on their devotion to different avatars of Vishnu: the Thirumurai Alvar, the Thirumurai Nayanar, and the Thirumurai Puranar. The Thirumurai Alvar are devotees of Vishnu's avatar as Rama, the Thirumurai Nayanar are devotees of Vishnu's avatar as Krishna, and the Thirumurai Puranar are devotees of Vishnu's avatar as Buddha. Each group is further divided into four saints, making a total of 12 Periyalvars.

The Periyalvars are known for their deep devotion and love for Vishnu, which is reflected in their compositions. Their verses are filled with love, longing, and a deep sense of devotion, which has inspired generations of devotees. They are also known for their social reforms, as they advocated for the rights of women, the poor, and the marginalized.

The Periyalvars are celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi, which falls in May-June. During this time, temples dedicated to the Periyalvars are visited by devotees who recite their verses and offer prayers. The Periyalvars are an important part of Tamil culture and their legacy continues to inspire devotees today.