Tanjore Painting of Goddess Andal Devi, Andal Is One of the Most Extraordinary Personalities in Religious History. She Is Known in Her Native Tongue of Tamil as an Alvar, One Who Is “Immersed” in the Depths of Enjoyment of God, the Omnipresent Mysterious One. Tradition Reckons 12 Alvars, of Which Andal Is the Only Female. Between the Fifth and Ninth Centuries, in the Tamil-Speaking Region of South India, These Saints Revitalized the Indian Religious Milieu, Sparking a Renewal of Devotional Worship Throughout the Subcontinent. Traveling From Place to Place, From Temple to Temple, From Holy Site to Holy Site, They Composed Exceedingly Beautiful Poetry to Their Divine Beloved, Vishnu, as an Expression of Their Love for Him. Anyone Can See Why Their Poetry Was So Attractive; At Once Both Impassioned and Philosophical, Their Words Cut Across All Barriers of Caste and Class, Attracting All to Their Faith. In Doing So, They Sculpted a New Religious Heritage of Intensely Emotional Bhakti, or Love of the Divine, Whose Impact Is Still Felt Today in the Indian Religious Life. Andal, Whose Life and Poetry Are Celebrated Every December – January, Is the Most Visible Contributor to This Heritage.