Did the Alwars of Tamil Nadu start Vaishnavism in India?

 Did the Alwars of Tamil Nadu start Vaishnavism in India?

1. You may be thinking, Vaishnavism and Sri Vaishnavism are same. No it is not.
2. Azhwars propagated Sri Vashnavism sect in South India.
3. Sri Vaishnavism flourished in predominantly Shaivite South India during the seventh to tenth centuries CE with the twelve Alvars. One can find idols of 12 always in Northern side of Sri Vaishnavite temples within first enclosure.
4. The complex history is reflected in the two main historical denominations of Vishnuvism.
5. South India worship Vishnu or Narayana, called Perumal as their founder, and are followers of Mayonism or Sri Vaishnavism.
6. While North regard Vasudeva-Krsna as their founder and are followers of Brahmanic Vaishnavism.
7. The Sanskrit Bhagavata Purana is essentially a Sanskrit "translation" of the bhakti of the Tamil alvars.
8. Early writings in Tamil culture Sangam literatures, Tholkappiam and epics as Manimekalai and the Cilappatikaram present Mayon / Vishnu/ Perumal. References about Krishna can be found in later epics Manimekalai and Cilappadikaram.
9. The Alvars, whose name can be translated "sages" or "saints", were devotees of
1. Mal -
2. Tiru Mal-
3. Sri and Mal-
4. Sri and her Pati-
5. Tiru and her Pati -
6. Tirupati. and there are 108 Tirupatis.
10. Vaishnavism in the 8th century came into contact with the advaidya doctrine of Adi Shankarar.
11. Many of the early Sri Vaishnava scholars such as Nathamuni, Yamunacharya and Ramanuja, contested the Advaita Vedanta doctrines and proposed Vishnu bhakti ideas instead.
12. Sri Vaishnavism flourished during the seventh to tenth centuries CE with the twelve Alvars, (many are non brahmins, including kings and others from all communities) saints who spread the sect to the common people with their devotional hymns. The temples that the Alvars visited or founded. (ritual certifications, Mangalasan - like present day ISO) are now known as Divya Desams and there are 108 TiruPatis or Divyadesams.
1. Tirumala Tirupati is one among them and
2. Yes, worlds largest functioning hindu temple Sri Rangam also one among them and
3. Richest temple Tiru Anantha Puram included.
4. Worlds Tallest Temple Gopuram in 1956,(Sri Rangam since 1987) and Tamil Nadu State Emblem, Tiruvilliputtur Andal (who wrote Tiruppavai) temple also one of Divya Desam.
5. One can find Vishnu in any of these three, lying, sitting and standing positions in Divyadesams.
13. Their poems in praise of Vishnu in Tamil language are collectively known as Naalayira Divya Prabandham(4000 divine verses).
14. Many of the Vijayanagara Emperors and their feudatory kings of Madurai, Tanjavur, Chenji, Chandragiri, Mysore who ruled South for over three centuries from 14th till 18th century are predominantly Sri Vaishnavites.
15. Sri Vaishnavism has two sects, Vadakalai (head quartered Kanchi) and Thenkalai(head quartered Nanguneri, Tirunelveli Dist).
16. Nammalvar is considered the most prominent among the twelve alwar Saints.
17. Description about Nammalvar, Alwar Tirunagari Temple:
18. Alwar Tirunagari is believed to be the largest town in the time of Pandya kings. The distinguishing name, with alwar in Tamil prefixed to Thirunagari means the people who spoke languages first and speaks correct language.
19. The temple is considered the birthplace of Nammalvar, considered the most prominent among the twelve alwar Saints. Nammazhwar has contributed more than thousand verses out of the four thousand in , Nalayira Divya Prabhandam the Sri Vainava canon.
20. He was born in a Pallar family at Thirukuravur(modern day Alwar tirunagari) in the southernmost region of the Tamil country.