Sri.Achalananda Dasaru (9th Century)

The period of Sri.Achalananda Dasaru is said to be the 9th century. However his compositions resemble those of the 16th century literatures. His place of domicile was Haiganpura in Bangalore District. He was an ardent devotee of "Lord Narasimha".

He toured whole of the country and propagated the Bhakti cult/Bhagavata Dharma. He toured barefoot while the idol of his Lord was carried in a nicely decorated palanquin. (Palaki). He used to sing the glory and virtues of the Lord by tuning Tamburi(also called as Tambruhi the meaning speak/sing of Him). The palanquin of the Lord was carried by the invisible Rudra Ganas and witnessing this miracle people became the ardent devotees/followers of Dasaru. While he was at Pandharapura he was blessed by the Lord Panduranga Vithala. Lord gave him the Darshana (the divine appearance) on one afternoon when Sri.Achalanand Dasaru was offering an Arghya(the religious and customary way of worship)to sun in the Chandrabhaga river. From that day all his compositions were dedicated to Achalananda Vithala.

Miracle:

While he was touring Nepal the prince of Nepal died of snake bite. The king of Nepal humbly prayed to Sri.Achalananda Dasaru to save his son. Dasaru by chanting Garuda mantra summoned the serpent and made to suck back the poison from the body of the prince and he was saved.

In his family the Mudduvithala, Gopinatha, Haridasa, Timmannadasa, and Panduranga were the famous Haridasas who propagated the Bhakti cult. After Sri.Achalananada Dasaru we are unable to trace the names of any famous Haridasas till 13th Century. Sri.Vijayadasaru(18th Century) in one of his compositions has stated that many Haridasas earlier to the era of Sri.Purandardasa(16th Century) have praised the Lord and has made a special reference of Shri. Achalananda Dasa and some names of Adya family. However we are unable to name any Haridasas of that period.