The earliest Bhakti movements were led by Alvars and Nayanars. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Alvars were the devotees of Shiva while Nayanars were the devotees of Vishnu. 2. Both Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system. 3. Women devotees were present among Alvars and Nayanars. Which of the above statements are correct?

The earliest Bhakti movements were led by Alvars and Nayanars. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Alvars were the devotees of Shiva while Nayanars were the devotees of Vishnu. 2. Both Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system. 3. Women devotees were present among Alvars and Nayanars. Which of the above statements are correct? Correct Answer 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Alvars and Nayanars

• Some of the earliest bhakti movements ( sixth century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva).
• They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods.
• During their travels, the Alvars and Nayanars identified certain shrines as abodes of their chosen deities.
• Very often large temples were later built at these sacred places.
• These developed as centres of pilgrimage.
• Singing compositions of these poet-saints became part of temple rituals in these shrines, as did worship of the saints’ images.
• Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system.
• This is corroborated by the fact that bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered “untouchable”.
• Alvars and Nayanars claimed that their compositions were as important as the Vedas. For instance, one of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda.
• The most striking feature of the Alvar and Nayanar traditions was the presence of women.
• For instance, the compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung and Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a woman Nayanar, adopted the path of extreme asceticism in order to attain her goal.
• One of the major themes in Tamil bhakti hymns is the poets’ opposition to Buddhism and Jainism.
• This is particularly marked in the compositions of the Nayanars. Historians explain this hostility as a result of competition between members of other religious traditions for royal patronage.

Hence, it is clear from the above points that the Alvars were the devotees of Shiva while Nayanars were the devotees of Vishnu is incorrect statement.