Saints:

◍ Life: Born in Vaishali, Bihar.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Propagated the philosophy of Jainism based on Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya and Brahmacharya.

◍ Life: Born in Kapilavastu, Nepal. (Sri Gautama Buddha)

◍ Sadhana & Philosiphy:
• Attained Enlightenment under the famous Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
• Founder of Buddhism. Preached the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Paths.
• Founded the Sangha of Buddhist monks.

◍ Life: Born in Tamil Nadu. (Andal)

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions: Collection of their hymns are known as Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

◍ Pilgrimages: 108 Vishnu temples praised by them are known as Divya Desams.

◍ Life: Born in Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Shiva Bhakti.
• Tradition of Shaiva Siddhanta.
• Lives recorded in book Periya Puranam.

◍ Compositions: Collection of their hymns recorded in Tirumurai.

◍ Pilgrimages: 275 Shiva temples praised by them are known as Paadal Petra Sthalams.

Alvars (5th - 9th Century)
Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century)

Alvars (5th - 9th Century)
Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century)

Alvars (5th - 9th Century)
Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century)

◍ Life: Born in Kaladi, Kerala. (Life)

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Knowledge of Brahman.
• Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions:
• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
• Composed Sanskrit Stotras on various Deities.

◍ Other Deeds:
• Founded four Mutts around the four corners of India.
• Believed to be the organiser of Dashanami monastic order and founder of Shanmata tradition of worship.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Vadakkunnathan Temple: Parents of Adi Shankara prayed for a child.
• Kaladi: Birthplace of Adi Shankara.
• Omkareshwar: Adi Shankara met his guru Govindapada on the bank of river Narmada. (Shankaracharya Gufa)
• Kashi: Lord Shiva gave darshan to Adi Shankara in the form of a Chandala with four dogs. Adi Shankara got disciple Sanandana.
• Badrinath: Adi Shankara wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Gita and Upanishads.
• Prayag: Adi Shankara met Kumarila Bhatta (Mimamsa school) for a debate.
• Mahishmati: Adi Shankara had a debate with Mandana Mishra.
• Gokarna: Adi Shankara met disciple Hastamalaka.
• Sringeri: Adi Shankara established the Sharada Peetha (Southern Mutt).
• Puri: Adi Shankara established the Govardhan Mutt (Eastern Mutt).
• Dwarka: Adi Shankara established the Dwarka Mutt (Western Mutt).
• Joshimath: Adi Shankara established the Jyotir Math (Northern Mutt).
• Kanchipuram: Adi Shankara is said to have established the Kanchi Mutt also.
• Kashmir Sharada Peetha: Adi Shankara ascended the Sarvajna Peetham.
• Kedarnath: Adi Shankara left the earthly abode from here.

◍ Life: Born in Viranarayanapura, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions: Compiled the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.

◍ Life: Born in Kashmir.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Exponent of the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism (Trika System).

◍ Compositions: Composed Tantraloka and many other works.

◍ Life: Born in Poonamallee, Chennai suburb, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta.
• A great devotee of Sri Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram.

◍ Life: Born in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Exponent of the philosophy of Vishistadvaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions:
• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras (known as Sri Bhashya) and Bhagavad Gita.
• Composed several texts on Sri Vaishnavism and organised the method of worship.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Sriperumbudur: Birthplace of Ramanuja.
• Kanchipuram: Ramanuja met his guru Yadava Prakasha and later separated. Served as a priest of Varadaraja Perumal Temple.
• Srirangam: Ramanuja became the head of the Srirangam Mutt after the death of Yamunacharya.
• Thirukoshtiyur: Ramanuja received the Ashtakshara mantra (Om Namo Narayana) from Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal which he proclaimed to all.
• Tirumala: Ramanuja established the deity as Lord Vishnu. Introduced many temple rituals and reformations.
• Melkote: Ramanuja discovered the idol of Lord Tirunarayana and built a new Temple. Stayed in Melkote for around 12 years.

◍ Life: Born in Nimbapura, Ballari district, Karnataka.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Exponent of the philosophy of Dvaitaadvaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions:
• Wrote commentary on Brahma Sutras.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Nimbapura: Birthplace of Sri Nimbarkacharya.
• Mathura: Nimabarkacharya spent most of his life in Mathura-Vrindavan as a devotee of Sri Krishna.
• Vrindavan: Nimabarkacharya spent most of his life in Mathura-Vrindavan as a devotee of Sri Krishna.

◍ Life: Born in Kundrathur, Chennai suburb, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Shiva Bhakti.
• Tradition of Shaiva Siddhanta.

◍ Compositions: Compiled the Periya Puranam.

◍ Life: Born in Udupi, Karnataka.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Exponent of the philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions:
• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and several Upanishads.

◍ Other Deeds: Founded the Krishna Temple at Udupi and several other Mutts.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Pajaka Kshetra: Birthplace of Sri Madhvacharya.
• Udupi: Father of Madhvacharya prayed to Lord Ananteshwara for a child. Madhvacharya spent most of his life in Udupi. Found the Image of Sri Krishna in Udupi and installed it in Udupi Mutt.
• Badrinath: Madhvacharya met Veda Vyasa who taught him the essence of Vedas, Brahma Sutras and other scriptures. Madhvacharya wrote a commentary on Brahma Sutras in the Himalayas.

◍ Life: Born in Thooppul, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta. An acharya and a pillar of Vaishnavism.
• Worshipped Lord Hayagriva at Thiruvahindrapuram and was blessed by the Lord.

◍ Compositions: Wrote several books in both Sanskrit and Tamil Language.

◍ Life: Born in Narsi, Hingoli district, Maharashtra.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti (Panduranga).
• Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints.
• Spent his life in devotion to Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur.
• Proponent of Bhagavad Dharma and purity of living.

◍ Compositions:
• Abhang Gatha: Compilation of Abhangs of Namdev

◍ Life: Born in Apegaon, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. (Sant Jnaneshwar)

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Yoga (Nath Tradition)
• Philosopher and Yogi of Nath Tradition.
• Krishna Bhakti (Panduranga).
• Also, Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints.

◍ Compositions:
• Bhavartha Deepika (Dnyaneshwari): A commentary on Bhagavad Gita
• Amrutanubhav: Yogic experiences

◍ Life: Born in Alwarthirunagiri, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• An acharya and proponent of Vishistadvaita philosophy of Vaishnavism.

◍ Compositions: Wrote several books and commentaries of Vaishnavism.

◍ Life: Born in Thirunarayanapuram (Melkote), Karnataka.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Narasimha Bhakti.
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• Tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta.
• Founder (first Jiyar) of Ahobila Mutt. It is said that Lord Narasimha himself called him to Ahobilam in a dream and gave him sanyasa in the form of a sanyasi. Also, based on the command of Lord Narasimha he travelled with the Utsava Murthi of Malola Narasimha.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Ahobilam

◍ Life: Born in Tallapaka, Andhra Pradesh. Believed to be an incarnation of Nandaka, the sword of Vishnu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti (Venkateshwara).
• Learned the philosophy of Vishistadvaita Vedanta from Satakopa Swami of Ahobila Mutt.

◍ Compositions:
• Considered as the Pitamaha (Grandfather) of Telegu song-writing.
• Composed around 32000 devotional Samkirtanas in praise of Lord Venkateshwara (around 12000 extant now).

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Venkatachala: Visited Venkatachala (Tirumala) and sung Kritis before the Lord.

◍ Life: Born in Gopnath near Talaja, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Spent his life in devotion to Sri Krishna and composing bhajans.
• Honoured as Adi Kavi of Gujrati language.
• A famous composition is "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye Je".

◍ Compositions:
• Composed and sang bhajans of Sri Krishna

◍ Life: Born in Alipukhuri, Nagaon district, Assam.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Proponent of Ekasarana Dharma (Surrender to Sri Krishna, chanting his Names and singing his Leelas).

◍ Compositions:
• Translated many parts of Srimad Bhagavatam in Assamese language.
• Composed Bhakti Ratnakara, a compilation of devotional verses from Srimad Bhagavatam, Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana etc.

◍ Life: Born in Buron, Satkhira district, Bangladesh.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Tradition of Gaudiya Vedanta.
• Disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Associated with the Siddha Bakul Math of Puri where he used to chant the name of Sri Krishna incessantly under a Bakula Tree.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Puri - Siddha Bakul Math

◍ Life: Born in Sihi, Faridabad, Haryana.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Disciple of Sri Vallabhacharya.

◍ Compositions:
• Sur Sagar: A collection of thousands of melodious songs on Sri Krishna of which only around 8000 extant now.

◍ Life: Born in Champaram, Chhattisgarh.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Founder exponent of the philosophy of Shuddha Advaita Vedanta.
• Believed to have got the vision of Srinathji (seven year old Krishna) whose temple is in Nathadwara, Rajasthan.

◍ Compositions:
• Anubhasya: Commentary on Brahma Sutras.
• Sri Subodhini: Commentary on Srimad Bhagavad Mahapurana.
• Composed several texts on Krishna Bhakti.

◍ Life: Born in Purandargad, Karnataka. Believed to be an incarnation of sage Narada.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti (Panduranga).
• Follower of Dvaita Vedanta of Madhvacharya.
• Follower of Haridasa Tradition of Karnataka.

◍ Compositions:
• Considered as the Pitamaha (Grandfather) of Carnatic music.
• Composed around 475000 devotional Kirtanas (Dasara Padagalu) many in praise of the Lord of Pandharpur.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Pandharpur: Visited Pandharpur and sung Kirtanas before Lord Panduranga.

◍ Life: Born in Nabadwip, West Bengal.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Pillar of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
• Popularised the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed Shikshashtakam (eight devotional prayers on Sri Krishna) in Sanskrit.

◍ Life: Born in Merta, Rajasthan.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti.
• Disciple of guru Ravidass.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed around 1300 Krishna Bhajans.

◍ Life: Born in Rajapur, Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Rama Bhakti.
• Got the darshan of Bhakta Hanuman at Kashi.
• Got the darshan of Sri Rama at Chitrakoota.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed Ramcharitmanas, several Dohas and other texts.
• Hanuman Chalisa is attributed to him.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Chitrakoot: Tulsidas was born in Rajapur of Chitrakoot. Got the darshan of Totamukha Hanuman and Sri Rama at Ram Ghat of Chitrakoot.
• Ayodhya: Tulsidas started composing the Ramcharitmanas in Ayodhya on the Rama Navami day of 1593 CE.
• Kashi: Tulsidas got the darshan of Bhakta Hanuman. Founded the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple at Kashi.

◍ Life: Born in Paithan, Aurangabad district, Maharastra.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti (Panduranga).
• Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints.
• Disciple of Sri Janardhanaswami.

◍ Compositions:
• Revived Dnyaneshwari.
• Composed Eknath Bhagavatam (or Eknathi Bhagavat), a commentary on parts of Srimad Bhagavatam.

◍ Life: Born in Sholingur, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Vishnu Bhakti.
• A great devotee of Sri Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram.

◍ Life: Born in Dehu, Pune district, Maharashtra.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Krishna Bhakti (Panduranga).
• Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints.
• Spent his life in devotion to Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed Abhangs glorifying Lord Panduranga

◍ Life: Born in Kumbilapuram, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. Performed Kali sadhana for 20 years. Then initiated into monastic life by Bhagirathananda Saraswati. Lived most of his life in Kashi (Varanasi).

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Kali Bhakti.
• Shiva Bhakti.
• Life of Yogi.

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Kashi: Spent most of his life of 280 years in Kashi. Often called as living Shiva of Kashi.

◍ Life: Born in Nelakondapalli village, Khammam district, Telangana.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Rama Bhakti.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed Ramadasu Keertanalu (devotional kirtanas dedicated to Sri Rama).

◍ Life: Born in Hyderabad, Telangana.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Lalita Bhakti.
• Master of Sri Vidya Tradition.

◍ Compositions:
• Among the many books authored by him are Saubhagya Bhaskara and Setubandha.

◍ Life: Born in Halishahar, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Kali Bhakti.
• Performed his sadhana invoking Mother Kali in a Panchavati grove, often sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Ramprasad Vita Kali Temple of Halishahar.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed many Shyama Sangeet (Bhajans on Mother Kali).

◍ Pilgrimage: Ramprasad Vita Kali Temple of Halishahar.

◍ Life: Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Kamakshi Bhakti.

◍ Compositions:
• One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar).
• Composed many devotional compositions mostly in praise of Devi Kamakshi.

◍ Life: Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. (Thyagaraja)

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Rama Bhakti.

◍ Compositions:
• One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Sri Shyama Shastri and Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar).
• Composed thousands of devotional compositions in praise of Sri Rama.
• His famous compositions are the Pancharatna Kritis.

◍ Life: Born in Bardhaman district, West Bengal.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Kali Bhakti.
• Invoked Mother Kali sitting on a Panchamundi Asana near the place of the present Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman.

◍ Compositions:
• Composed many Shyama Sangeet (Bhajans on Mother Kali).

◍ Pilgrimage: Kamalakanta Kalibari of Bardhaman.

◍ Life: Born in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Musical compositions on various gods and goddesses.

◍ Compositions:
• One of the Trinity of Carnatic Music (along with Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Shyama Shastri).
• Composed hundreds of devotional compositions in praise of various gods and goddesses.

◍ Life: Born in Punjab.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Knowledge of Brahman.
• Tradition of Advaita Vedanta.

• Sri Totapuri was the guru of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He came to Dakshineshwar Temple in 1864. He stayed in Puri for several years where he has an ashram (Advaita Brahma Ashram).

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Puri - Totapuri Ashram

◍ Life: Born in Ghurni village, Nadia district, West Bengal.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Master of Kriya Yoga. Initiated into yoga by Mahavatar Babaji himself.

• Famous yogis in this Tradition are:
- Sri Yukteshwar Giri: Disciple of Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri.
- Paramahamsha Yogananda: Disciple of Sri Yukteshwar Giri.

◍ Life: Born in Kamarpukur, West Bengal. (Sri Ramakrishna)

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Kali Bhakti
• Rama Bhakti
• Krishna Bhakti
• Shiva Bhakti
• Brahman (Advaita Vedanta)
• Also practised Christanity and
• Islam

◍ Compositions:
• Sayings recorded as Ramakrishna Kathamrita in Bengali, which is translated in English as Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

◍ Teachings:
• Praying to God with intense yearning in heart in order to realize Him or Her.
• God can be realized through any path if the devotee has this intense yearning in heart (Jato Mat, Tato Path).
• Vision of Serving Man as God (Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva).

◍ Pilgrimages:
• Ramakrishna Math Temples (headquarter in Belur Math).

◍ Life: Born in Atla village, Rampurhat, Birbhum district, West Bengal.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Tara Bhakti.
• Invoked Mother Tara sitting on a Panchamundi Asana at the Tarapith Maha Samshan ground (Cremation ground).
• Performed sadhana under the guidance of Kailashpati Baba and Mokshadananda.

◍ Pilgrimage: Tarapith Temple, Rampurhat, Birbhum district, West Bengal.

◍ Life: Born in Kolkata, West Bengal.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Practical Vedanta
• Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

◍ Compositions:
• Lectures, Compositions, Letters etc. recorded in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. (Sayings of Swami Vivekananda)

◍ Teachings:
• Character Building, i.e. building the right tendencies of mind using will power, discrimination and high ideal for the welfare of many.
• Practical Vedanta, i.e. the vision of Advaita Vedanta applied in practical life to raise the masses, regenerate India and for welfare of many. In this context comes his precept of Serving Man as God.
• Acceptance of all valid paths as a means to realize God.
• Four Yogas - Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga for a balanced development of human being and God realization.

◍ Other Deeds: Founder of Ramakrishna Maths and Missions.

◍ Life: Born in Thirucuzhi, near Madurai.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Realized the Self through a death experience during boyhood.
• Suggested Aatma Vichara (Self-Enquiry), or the direct enquiry within oneself to find the source from where the "I" rises.

◍ Compositions:
• Sayings recorded in many books including Who am I, Day by Day with Bhagavan and Talks. (Sayings of Ramana Maharshi)
• Famous song Arunachala Akshara Manimalai (Arunachala Shiva, Arunachala Shiva).

◍ Pilgrimage: Thiruvannamalai (Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu).

◍ Life: Born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Master of Kriya Yoga.

. ◍ Compositions:
• Writer of the famous book Autobiography of a Yogi.

◍ Other Deeds:
• Founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) for teaching Kriya Yoga.