Who were Alvar and Nayanar; saints? Briefly describe their activities.
Alvar and Nayanar saints were Bhakti saints of Tamil Nadu. Early Bhakti movements were led by them. Alvars were the Bhakts of Vishnu and Nayanars were worshippers of Shiva. They traveled from one place to another singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their respective gods. During their travels, Alvars and Nayanars declared few sacred places as the abode of their respective deities. Later on, large temples were constructed on these places and they became centers of pilgrimage. Hymns of saint-poets were sung in these temples at the time of temple rituals. Images of these saints were also worshipped in these temples.
