Periyalvar (c. 9th century), also known as Vishnuchittar, was one of the twelve Alvar saints of South India who are known for their affiliation to the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He was the foster father of Andal. Andal, also called as Kodhai, is the only female Alvar, and is considered to be the incarnation of Bhudevi according to Sri Vaishnavism.[1]
The verses of Alvars are compiled as the Naalayira Divya Prabandham and the 108 temples revered are classified as Divya Desam. According to some accounts, Periyalvar is considered the first in the line of the twelve Alvars, while other accounts place him as the eighth. His original name was Vishnuchittar. Since he blessed Vishnu as though assuming he were an elder to the deity, he is called Periyalvar.
According to Hindu legend, Periyalvar was the foster father of Andal, the only female Alvar. The works of Periyalvar contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism, the proponent behind the Bhakti movement.[2] His contributions are the Tirupallantu and Periyalvar Tirumoli, which are among the 4000 stanzas in the Naalayira Divya Prabandam.
In South Indian Vishnu temples, Periyalvar has images and festivals associated with him. The Garudasevai festival in the Srivilliputhur temple, where five Vishnu temples in the region participate, is an event dedicated to him. The verses of Periyalvar and the other Alvars are recited as a part of daily prayers and during festive occasions in several Sri Vaishnava temples in South India.
^Subrahmanian, N.; Jeyapragasam, S. (1976). Homage to a Historian: A Festschrift. Dr. N. Subrahmanian 60th Birthday Celebration Committee.
^Lalrinawma, V. S. (2007). Major Faith Traditions of India. ISPCK. p. 206. ISBN 978-81-7214-961-1.
Periyalvar (c. 9th century), also known as Vishnuchittar, was one of the twelve Alvar saints of South India who are known for their affiliation to the...
The Periyalvar Tirumoli (Tamil: பெரியாழ்வார் திருமொழி, romanized: Periyāḻvār Tirumoḻi, lit. 'Sacred verses of Periyalvar') is a Tamil Hindu work of literature...
the temple by Periyalvar. She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periyalvar, who later found...
such as Goda Mandali. According to literary and religious tradition, Periyalvar (பெரியாழ்வார்), originally called Vishnuchithan, was an ardent devotee...
the true value of life. Vishnucitta, who would later go on to become Periyalvar, one of the twelve most revered saints of Vaishnava sect, came to Madurai...
benedictory hymn dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. Written by the poet-saint Periyalvar, it is the opening hymn of the medieval devotional compendium of the Alvars...
divinity", Tirumalisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar were of Brahmin birth, Kulasekhara from the Kshatriya community, Nammalvar...
compendium begins with the Tirupallantu, a benedictory hymn written by Periyalvar, wishing long life to Vishnu. The hymns or songs sung by the Alvars dedicated...
the god Vishnu to Andal, the Tamil Alvar saint poet and the daughter of Periyalvar at Srirangam. In his court were eight famous scholars regarded as the...
the deity's garland again. Periyalvar did puja to Vishnu and put a new garland on him. To his surprise, it fell off. Periyalvar learned that Vishnu only...
symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is said to have been built by Periyalvar, in the year 788 CE and believed to be the adopted father of the temple...
but sang 10 pasurams from the nearest place, in praise of the deity. Periyalvar sang in praise of Vishnu as "Salagramamudaiya Nambi". The pontiff of Srivilliputtur...
Ocimum tenuiflorum) tree, by Vishnucitta (or Periyalvar) who himself was an Alvar poet. It is said that Periyalvar recocognised the child as Bhudevi, the consort...
his favoured mantra, "Om Namo Narayanaya Namaha" (glory to Narayana). Periyalvar, an Alvar, a poet-saint of the Sri Vaishnava tradition, invoked the mantra...
village was named (Tiru - sacred, kōṣṭi - group, ūr - town). Periyalvar, in his work Periyalvar Tirumoli, visualises Thirukoshtiyur as the birthplace of Krishna...
in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 5th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periyalvar, Thirumalisai Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar. The temple is classified as...
stanza is an envoie identifying her as the daughter of Vishnucitthar (Periyalvar) who made this garland of 30 pasurams and says those who recite with devotion...
Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Andal in one, Periyalvar in three, Bhuthath Alvar in two, Tirumalisai Alvar in seven, Peialvar...
in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periyalvar, Thirumangai Alvar and Nammalvar. The temple is classified as a Divya...
Srivilliputhur Andal temple Rajagopuram is said to have been built by Periyalvar, the father-in-law of the Lord,[clarification needed] with a purse of...
in Naalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periyalvar and Peyalvar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108...
writer and his works constitute about a third of the Diyaprabhandam. Periyalvar and his adopted daughter Andal contributed nearly 650 hymns to the Vaishnava...
the Alvars Manavala Mamunigal, proponent of Sri Vaishnavism Periyalvar, author of Periyalvar Tirumoli and one of the Alvars V. Akilesapillai, scholar, poet...
and Lakshmana and Hanuman. Idols of Vaishnavite gurus - Ramanuja and Periyalvar are also present near the sanctum sanctorum. The chief priest of the temple...
Malargal Sundar Tamil Ooty Varai Uravu Ravi Tamil 1968 Thirumal Perumai Periyalvar, Thondaradippodi Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar Tamil Harichandra Harichandra...
(Mangalasasanam) by four Alvars, namely Thirumalisai Piran, Nammalvar, Periyalvar, and Thirumangai Alvar. The temple has several unique sculptures. A horse...
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