List Of Alwars

Vaishnavas - Who?

A pure and pious devotee of the Lord and he who does respect living and non-living entity equally [Sama dharshan - meaning treating equally] is a pure Vaishnava. A Vaishnava is one who does not even think of hurting anyone by words, thoughts, and actions. It is to be noted that a Vaishnava is not identified by his religious marks on his body but by his attitude and qualities. A non-hindu samadarshan may be a Vaishnava.

Narayana, the ultimate and HE pervades in all. The ardent devotees who are immersed in God Narayana are called Azhwars. The period of Azhwars is said to be between 6th and 9th Century. There are 12 Azhwars including 'Sri Andal'. The collection of their hymns is called 'Divya Prabandham'. They are 4000 in number.

The reason for Azhwars to appear on this Earth is to spread the bakthi of Shriman Narayana. It is to be noticed that the weapons like disc, sword, conch, etc have incarnated as Azhwars, mainly to sing in praise of the Lord and to serve Him in his abode. They're part and parcel of the Lord, Shriman Narayana. Their hymns are said to be equivalent to Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita. As the very ancient language, Sanskrit is difficult to understand and have in depth meanings, Azhwars have sung 'Paasurams' which are easily understandable and have meanings that are said to be as equal to Vedas.

Though Azhwars hail from Tamil Nadu [hence also known as Dravida saints], they belong to the whole human community and this blog on them might be having Tamil tint in it. For people who do not know 'tamil', relevant English translation for some of the words can be seen.

Nithiya Sooriyargal or Nithiya Soorigal [meaning Nithiya-ever, Sooriyargal-Sun]. They've the effulgence [in knowledge] like a Sun and this is forever. It does not vanish on time. Azhwars are said to be 'Nithiya Sooryas'. Nithiya Soorigals like Adhi Sesha, Vishwaksena, Garuda, etc would be ever in Vaikunta to serve the Lord. Each Azhwars would be in a form of any one of the Nithiya Sooryas…



• Poigai Alwar
• Bhoodath Alwar
• Pey Alwar
• Thirumazhisai Alwar
• Nammalwar
• Madhura Kavi Alwar
• Kulasekara Alwar
• Periya Alwar
• Sri Andal
• Thondaradippodi Alwar
• Thirupaan Alwar
• Thriumangai Alwar

Traveling from place to place, from temple to temple, from holy site to holy site, they composed exceedingly beautiful poetry to their Divine Beloved, Vishnu, as an expression of their love for Him. Anyone can see why their poetry was so attractive; at once both impassioned and philosophical, their words cut across all barriers of caste and class, attracting all to their faith. In doing so, they sculpted a new religious heritage of intensely emotional bakthi, or love of the Divine, whose impact is still felt today in the Indian religious life.