Akka Mahadevi (also known as Akka Periya Maniam or Akka Periyalur) was a 13th-century Tamil saint and poet from the Nayanmara tradition of Hinduism. She was born around 1250 CE in the village of Urulangadu in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India.

• She was a prominent figure in the Nayanmara movement, a devotional movement that emphasized the importance of personal devotion to the god Vishnu.
• Her poetry and hymns are still widely revered and studied today, and are considered some of the most beautiful and expressive examples of Tamil literature.
• She was known for her mystical experiences and visions, which she believed were communications from the divine.
• Her teachings emphasized the importance of self-realization, devotion, and the attainment of spiritual liberation.

Akka Mahadevi's poetry is characterized by its beauty, simplicity, and depth, and is often compared to the poetry of the great Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar.