ALVARS-PERIOD AND PLACE
The following table shows the place, century and star of birth of each Alvar. The traditional century of Alvars have been contested by historians as is the case for many Indian works and the British historians place the dates as in the table. Traditional dates take them to the age of Sukhaacharya from the period of Srimad Bhagavatham who while delivering the work to Parrekshit spoke of Alvars as Vaishnavaite saints and many are from Dwaparayuga, while Nammalwar belongs to the early part of Kaliyuga.
Sl no Alwar Saint Period[21][22] and Place Composition Month
Nakshatra
Avatar of
1 Poigai Alvar
4203 BCE,Kanchipuram
Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi, 100 verses. Aiypassee
Thiruvonam (Sravana)
Panchajanya (Krishna’sconch)
2 Bhoothathalvar
4203 BCE,Thirukadalmallai (Mahabhalipuram)
Irandam Thiruvandhadhi, 100 verses. Aiypassee Avittam (Dhanishta)
Kaumodakee (Vishnu’sMace/Club)
3 Peyalvar
4203 BCE,Mylapore
Moondram Thiruvandhadhi, 100 verses. Aiypassee Sadayam (Satabhishak)
Nandaka (Vishnu’s sword)
4 Thirumalisai Alvar
4203 BCEThirumazhisai
Nanmugan Thiruvandhadhi, 96 verses;ThiruChanda Virutham, 120 verses. Thai Magam (Magh )
Sudarshanam (Vishnu’sdiscus)
5 Nammalvar
3102/3059[23]Azhwar Thirunagari (Kurugur)
Thiruvaymozhi, 1102 verses;Thiruvasiriyam, 7 verses;Thiruvirutham, 100 verses;Periya Thiruvandhadhi, 87 verses. Vaikasi Vishaakam (Vish kh )
Vishvaksena(Vishnu’s commander)
6 Madhurakavi Alvar
3102 BC, Thirukollur Kanninun Siruthambu, 11 verses. Chitthirai Chitthirai (Chithra)
Vainatheya (Vishnu’s eagle,Garuda)
7 King Kulasekhara Alvar
3075 BC,Thiruvanchikkulam,Later Chera kingdom
Perumal Thirumozhi, 105 verses. Maasee Punar Poosam (Punarvasu)
Kaustubha(Vishnu’s necklace)
8 Periyalvar
3056 BC,Srivilliputhur
Periyazhwar Thirumozhi, 473 verses. Aani Swathi (Swaathee)
Garuda (Vishnu’seagle)
9 Andal
3005 BC, Srivilliputhur Nachiyar Thirumozhi, 143 verses;Thiruppavai, 30 verses. Aadi Pooram (P rva Phalgun (Pubbha))
Bhoodevi (Vishnu’s wife,Lakshmi, in her form asBhudevi)
10 Thondaradippodi Alvar
2814 BCE, Thirumandangudi Thirumaalai, 45 verses;Thirupalliezhuchi, 10 verses. Margazhi Kettai (Jyeshta)
Vanamaalai (Vishnu’sgarland)
11 Thiruppaan Alvar
2760 BCE, Uraiyur
Amalan Adi Piraan, 10 verses. Karthigai Rogini (Rohinee)
Srivatsa (Anauspiciousmark on Vishnu’s chest)
12 Thirumangai Alvar
2706 BCE, Thirukurayalur Periya Thirumozhi, 1084 verses; Thiru Vezhukootru irukkai, 1 verse;Thiru Kurun Thandagam, 20 verses; Thiru Nedun Thandagam, 30 verses. Kaarthigai Krithika (K ttik )
Saranga (Rama’s bow)