The Nayanars were saints devoted to Shiva and Alvars were devoted to Vishnu. There were 63 Nayanars, who belonged to different caste backgrounds, such as potters, untouchable workers, peasants, hunters, soldiers, Brahmanas and chiefs. The popular among them were Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar.
Tevaram and Tiruvacakam are the two sets of compilations of Nayanars' songs.
There were 12 Alvars, who belonged to equally divergent backgrounds. The popular among them were Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, Tondaradippodi Alvar and Nammalvar. Their songs were compiled in the Divya Prabandham.