Thirumangai Alwar was born in Thirukuraiyalur in the chola Desa. His traditional date of birth is Nala, Karthika, Full Moon, Thursday, in the 398^th year of the Kali Era. Thirumangai Alwar was known by the names Parakala and Nila. He is regarded as the incarnation of the bow Saranga of Lord Hari. He was a petty chieftain. He was a brave warrior and a dauntless hero. He was the commander of the army of the Chola king.

Nila wanted to marry Kumudavalli, a pious virgin who lived in Thiruvali. She was a great devotee of lord Hari. She refused to marry one who was not a SriVaishnava. Then Nila got himself initiated into Vaishnavism. Then Kumudavalli said, "This outward conversion is nothing. You must daily feed 1008 Bhaktas for one year and bring their Prasad to me every day". Nila consented. He fed 1008 Vaishnavas daily for a year Kumudavalli then married Nila and they lived happily.

Nila composed the sacred hymns known as Peria Thirumozhi, Thirukuruthandagam, Thirunedunthandagam, Thiruvezhukoorirukkai, Siria Thirumadal and Peria Thirumadal. He said with tears of repentance, "I have wasted my life in lust. The lord has saved me. I committed atrocious crimes. I plundered even the Lord. I was very wicked. The Name of the Lord has saved me. Hail, Hari! Hail, Vishnu".

A voice was heard from above: "Fear not, Thirumangai Alwar! You have not offended Me. Go to Srirangam. Complete the construction of the temple. Disseminate Bhakti far and wide. Worship Me with the garlands of your beautiful hymns and then come to Me".

Thirumangai Alwar went from temple to temple and composed hymns in respect of eighty-six temples. He met the great Sivacharya Thiru Jnana Sambandhar at Sirgazhi and was honored by him. Thus he seems to have belonged to the 6^th century A.D.

Thirumangai Alwar brought away a golden image of the Buddha from Nagapattinam and used the gold in it to build the temple walls of Srirangam. He reached the abode of eternal bliss, Vaikuntha, in his 105^th year.

Nammalwar came to Srirangam from Azhwar Thirunagari. Thirumangai Alwar gave him a grand reception and listened with intense devotion to his inspiring hymns.

Thirumangai Alwar’s message is: "Repeat constantly the names of lord Vishnu. Remember Him always. Do total self-surrender unto the lord and obtain His grace. Be attached to His lotus feet. Lord Narayana is our savior and redeemer. He is the ocean of compassion. Serve the Bhaktas. A Bhakta and the Lord are one. Sing His glory. Dance in divine ecstasy. Live in Lord Hari. Repeat His thousand names. Study Vishnusahasranama".