Concept:The Nayanars were a group of poet-saints in South India who were devoted to Lord Shiva.
Explanation:The Nayanars were devotees of Shiva.
They were part of the Bhakti movement (7th–8th century CE).
In contrast, the Alvars were devotees of Vishnu.
Followers of Basaveshwara are called Lingayats (12th century CE), who were Shaivite reformers but distinct from the Nayanars.
Buddha’s followers are Buddhists, not Nayanars.
Answer:Leaders who were devotees of Shiva