South India’s Bhakti movement
Between the 7th and 12th century CE, south India saw the rise of the popular Bhakti movement.
It was built on the principles of religious equality and broad social engagement.
Under the Pallavas, Pandyas, and Cholas, the Shivaite Nayannars and Vaishnayante Alvars advocated the Bhakti cult, ignoring the austerities preached by the Jains and Buddhists.
As a way of salvation, they emphasized personal devotion to God.
North India’s Bhakti movement
During the 12th-17th centuries CE, the Bhakti movement gained popularity in the northern portions of the country.
The Bhakti movement in north India is sometimes regarded as a continuation of the southern movement.
Despite the parallels in the two regions’ traditions, the concept of Bhakti differed according to the teachings of each saint.
The Bhakti movement was profoundly affected by the primary aspects of Islam, such as belief in one God (monotheism), equality and fraternity, and rejection of rituals and class divisions.
Final Answer:
Bhakti’s main features are as follows:
This was the result of people’s fight to liberate religion from priestly rule and varna divisions.
An individual was free to worship a god in whichever way he or she saw fit.
The most crucial feature was pure devotion to a deity.
As a god sign, any object could be utilized.