Was the bhakti movement a revolt, and what is a Hindu temple for?

Bhakti means devotion: the word comes from a root meaning "divide, share, partake, participate, to belong to". The bhakti movement was a medieval Hindu movement that sought reform through devotion. It originated in Tamilakam in the 6th century CE and gained prominence through the poems of the Vaishnava Alvars and the Shaiva Nayanars, before spreading north.

The Alvars, whose name means "those immersed in God", were Vaishnava poet-saints who sang praises of Vishnu as they travelled. The early Tamil movement was marked by a personal relationship between deity and devotee and fervent emotional experience in response to divine grace. The Alvars and Nayanars came from numerous social classes, even shudras, and the movement preached in local languages so that the message reached the masses.

Was it a revolt? Traditionally it has been considered a social reformation offering a path to spirituality regardless of birth or gender. But contemporary scholars question whether it was ever a reform or rebellion of any kind, and suggest it was a revival, reworking and recontextualisation of ancient Vedic traditions. One scholar, Sheldon Pollock, points out that many prominent early champions were Brahmins or from other upper castes.

Where does devotion happen? Often in a temple. A Hindu temple is a sacred place where Hindus show devotion through worship, sacrifice and prayers, considered the house of the god to whom it is dedicated. In the bhakti school, temples are venues for puja, a hospitality ritual in which the deity is honoured and the devotee calls upon and attends to the deity.