State the main features of the Bhakti Movement in south India, pioneered by Nayanars and Alwars.

The main features of the Bhakti Movement in south India were:

1. The Bhakti Movement first began in south India around the 7th century CE under the Nayanars (worshippers of Lord Shiva) and the Alwars (worshippers of Lord Vishnu). There were sixty-three Nayanars and twelve Alwars.
2. Between the 7th and the 12th centuries, they composed poems preaching single-minded devotion to God. They preached their philosophies in the local languages and disseminated them in the form of stories.
3. A notable feature of this movement was the preaching of a loving bond based upon the love between the worshipped and the worshipper.
4. They believed that everyone could attain salvation through devotion.
5. They criticised the caste system and attacked institutionalised religion. The Nayanar poets comprised saints from all castes.
6. They believed that inequality and exploitation in society existed due to the caste system and patriarchal mindset, so they incorporated all sections of society to break the caste barriers.
7. They actively encouraged women to join in and compose kirtans; Mirabai composed many such kirtans.
8. As Jainism and Buddhism were silent on God, they criticised both the religions.