How women’s devotion was associated with Bhakti tradition? Give example.
Probably the most important feature of Bhakti tradition was the presence of women. For example, the compositions of an Alvar woman Andal were sung widely and are sung even today. Andal considered herself as the beloved of Lord Vishnu and expressed her love to her deity in the form of verses. Another woman devotee of Lord Shiva, Karaikkal Ammaiyar took the path of extreme asceticism to attain her objective. Her compositions were preserved in Nayanar traditions. These women renounced their social duties, even then they did not become members of any alternative system. The lifestyle and compositions of these women challenged the patriarchal norms of the society.
