Nayanars were Tamil Shaivite poet-saints who lived between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. There are 63 Nayanars, including several women like Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Mangayarkkarasiyar, and Isaignaniyar. Alwars were Tamil Vaishnavite poet- saints who also composed devotional hymns. Andal is the only female Alwar and is highly revered in Vaishnavism.