Tradition counts twelve Alvars:Andal is the only female Alvar.

These twelve Alvars flourished between the fifth and eighth centuries A.D., representing a significant phase in Vaisnava philosophy

Etymology

The precise meaning of the term Alvar (often transliterated as Alvar or Azhwar) has been debated. The common understanding is that the traditional meaning is derived from the Tamil root al or azh (???) which means "deep". From this, definitions such as "one who has plunged deep

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