The
Nayanars (alt.
Nayanmars,
Tamil: நாயன்மார்கள், lit. "hounds of Siva", later "teachers of Siva") were a group of 63 saints (also saint poets) in the 6th to 8th century who were devoted to the Hindu god
Shiva in
Tamil Nadu. They, along with the Alvars, influenced the
Bhakti movement in Tamil. The names of the Nayanars were first compiled by
Sundarar. The list was expanded by
Nambiyandar Nambi during his compilation of material by the poets for the
Tirumurai collection, and would include Sundarar himself and Sundarar's parents.