List of Women Saints of India

India’s spiritual history includes women who questioned philosophers, composed sacred poetry, pursued liberation and established enduring devotional traditions. Their contributions span Vedic literature, Hindu bhakti, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Sufism and modern spiritual movements.

Some are celebrated saints with established devotional followings; others are philosophers or religious figures preserved in ancient texts. Their historical evidence varies, but together they offer a broad picture of women’s participation in Indian spiritual life.

1. Vedic women sages and ancient philosophers

1. Gargi Vachaknavi — Featured in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Gargi questioned Yajnavalkya about the ultimate foundation of existence.

2. Maitreyi — Her dialogue with Yajnavalkya explores whether wealth can provide immortality and why knowledge of the Self matters.

3. Lopamudra — Traditionally credited with verses in Rigveda 1.179, she expresses desire and conjugal expectations in a dialogue with Agastya.

4. Ghosha — Traditionally credited with two Rigvedic hymns to the Ashvins, she represents an important female voice in Vedic poetry.

5. Apala Atreyi — Associated with Rigveda 8.91, Apala invokes Indra in a hymn connected with healing and transformation.

6. Vishvavara Atreyi — Traditionally associated with Rigveda 5.28, she is remembered among the female seers of Vedic sacred poetry.

7. Vak Ambhrini — The traditional seer of the Devi Sukta, Rigveda 10.125, she speaks of divine power permeating the universe.

8. Romasha — Named in traditional lists of Rigvedic female seers, Romasha belongs to the early tradition of women associated with sacred composition.

9. Sulabha — In the Mahabharata, Sulabha debates King Janaka about spiritual freedom, detachment and the nature of the Self.

10. Ubhaya Bharati — Traditional accounts of the philosophical debate between Shankaracharya and Mandana Mishra remember her for her learning and intellectual authority.

Historical note: Vedic seer attributions are preserved in textual traditions. They should not all be treated as independently verified biographies of historical individuals. Scholarly studies distinguish human women, divine figures and personifications among the names attributed to Rigvedic hymns.

2. Tamil and South Indian women saints

11. Andal — The only woman among the twelve Alvars, Andal composed the Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumoli, which remain important in Sri Vaishnava worship.

12. Karaikkal Ammaiyar — An early Tamil Shaiva poet-saint, she composed hymns celebrating Shiva’s cosmic dance and is among the most influential women in Tamil devotional literature.

13. Akka Mahadevi — This Kannada mystic’s vachanas express devotion to Shiva as Channamallikarjuna and challenge conventional ideas about marriage, possession and spiritual freedom.

14. Avvaiyar — The name belongs to more than one Tamil poet. Works attributed to different Avvaiyars have influenced Tamil ethical teaching and literature.

15. Tilakavve — Remembered among women associated with the Virashaiva or Lingayat devotional movement, she represents the female vachana tradition of Karnataka.

16. Virasangavve — Another woman associated with Virashaiva devotional literature, she belongs to a tradition that gave women a voice in spiritual expression.

17. Dalayi — Remembered in scholarly discussions of women Virashaiva saints, Dalayi is associated with the Kannada devotional tradition.

18. Goggavve — Her name appears among women connected with Virashaiva spiritual poetry, a tradition that questioned social hierarchies and emphasised devotion to Shiva.

19. Rekkavve — Associated with the women of the Virashaiva movement, Rekkavve is part of Karnataka’s wider history of female devotional voices.

20. Viracholadevi — Remembered in scholarship on women saints of South India, Viracholadevi belongs to the diverse world of medieval Shaiva devotion.

3. Maharashtra’s Varkari and other devotional traditions

21. Muktabai — A revered Varkari saint and sister of Dnyaneshwar, Muktabai is remembered for her spiritual insight and Marathi devotional verses.

22. Janabai — Associated with Namdev, Janabai expressed devotion to Vithoba through poetry that finds spiritual meaning in ordinary domestic work.

23. Soyarabai — Her devotional poetry addresses faith and the dignity of people marginalised by caste discrimination.

24. Kanhopatra — Varkari tradition remembers Kanhopatra as a devotee who sought refuge in Vithoba and rejected worldly expectations.

25. Bahinabai — The seventeenth-century Marathi saint-poet explored devotion, domestic responsibility and the pursuit of spiritual understanding.

26. Nirmala — Associated with the Varkari devotional milieu and Chokhamela’s family, Nirmala is remembered for her connection with devotional poetry.

27. Sakhubai — Popular accounts celebrate Sakhubai’s devotion to Vithoba despite hardship, making her a familiar figure in Maharashtrian devotional storytelling.

28. Mahadamba — A prominent early woman associated with the Mahanubhava tradition, Mahadamba contributed to the development of Marathi religious literature.

29. Venabai — Remembered in Marathi devotional traditions, Venabai is associated with women’s religious learning and spiritual practice.

30. Akkabai — The name occurs in Maharashtra’s devotional history; individual identifications and biographical claims should be checked against the relevant tradition.

4. Mystics and devotional women from North and Western India

31. Mirabai — The celebrated Krishna devotee and poet expressed an intense personal relationship with Krishna, challenging social expectations through devotional song.

32. Lal Ded — A Kashmiri mystic whose vakhs explore spiritual experience, self-knowledge and the limitations of superficial religious distinctions.

33. Rupa Bhawani — A Kashmiri Shaiva mystic remembered for her teachings on contemplation, inner awareness and spiritual realisation.

34. Gangasati — A Gujarati devotional poet whose bhajans teach spiritual discipline, detachment and devotion through accessible verse.

35. Gauri Bai — A Gujarati woman associated with the bhakti tradition, she is included in scholarly discussions of women’s devotional poetry.

36. Sahajo Bai — A Hindi devotional poet associated with Charandas, she emphasised devotion and the importance of the spiritual teacher.

37. Daya Bai — Associated with the same broad devotional milieu as Sahajo Bai, she is remembered for poetry centred on spiritual guidance and devotion.

38. Kururamma — Revered in Kerala’s Guruvayur tradition, Kururamma is remembered for her devotion to Krishna.

39. Tarigonda Vengamamba — A Telugu poet and devotee of Venkateswara, she composed devotional literature and is associated with Tirumala.

40. Molla — A Telugu poet traditionally associated with a Ramayana retelling, Molla demonstrates women’s participation in interpreting India’s epic traditions.

5. Buddhist women teachers and nuns

41. Mahapajapati Gotami — The Buddha’s foster mother and aunt, she is traditionally recognised as the first woman admitted to the Buddhist monastic order.

42. Khema — One of the Buddha’s chief female disciples, Khema is remembered for wisdom and insight into impermanence.

43. Uppalavanna — A leading female disciple of the Buddha, she is traditionally associated with exceptional spiritual attainments.

44. Kisagotami — Her encounter with the Buddha over the death of her child became a celebrated teaching on grief and mortality.

45. Patacara — After experiencing profound personal loss, Patacara became a respected Buddhist nun whose story illustrates the path beyond suffering.

46. Dhammadinna — Praised for her understanding of Buddhist teachings, Dhammadinna is featured in the Culavedalla Sutta.

47. Bhadda Kundalakesa — A woman renunciant remembered in Buddhist literature, she is associated with spiritual transformation and the search for liberation.

48. Sumangalamata — Her verses in the Therigatha celebrate release from the burdens and limitations of her earlier life.

49. Sanghamitta — Traditionally identified as Ashoka’s daughter, Sanghamitta travelled to Sri Lanka and helped establish the Buddhist nuns’ lineage there.

50. Dhammananda Bhikkhuni — A contemporary Buddhist nun known for her work supporting full ordination for women in Theravada Buddhism.

6. Jain women spiritual figures

51. Chandanbala — A prominent Jain nun in traditional narratives, Chandanbala is remembered for her association with Mahavira and her commitment to ascetic discipline.

52. Brahmi — Jain tradition identifies Brahmi as a daughter of Rishabhanatha and associates her with learning and writing.

53. Sundari — Also connected with Jain narratives about Rishabhanatha’s family, Sundari is remembered in accounts of renunciation and spiritual discipline.

54. Mallinath — The nineteenth Tirthankara is regarded as female in the Shvetambara Jain tradition, while Digambara tradition identifies Mallinath as male.

55. Rajimati — A revered Jain figure, Rajimati is remembered for choosing renunciation and maintaining spiritual resolve.

56. Jayanti — Jain narratives remember Jayanti as a learned woman who questioned Mahavira about philosophical and spiritual matters.

57. Sadhvi Chandanaji — A modern Jain religious leader associated with education, social service and institutions supporting Jain women.

58. Sadhvi Kanakprabha — A senior Jain nun associated with the Terapanth tradition, she served as a prominent religious leader.

59. Sadhvi Pramukha Vishrut Vibha — A contemporary leader in the Terapanth tradition, she represents the continuing role of women in Jain religious institutions.

60. Sadhvi Pramukha Sadhana — A contemporary Jain religious leader associated with monastic discipline and the transmission of Jain teachings.

7. Sikh women of spiritual significance

61. Bebe Nanaki — Guru Nanak’s elder sister, Bebe Nanaki is remembered as an early supporter who recognised his spiritual significance.

62. Mata Khivi — The wife of Guru Angad, Mata Khivi is remembered for supporting the langar tradition of communal meals and service.

63. Bibi Bhani — The daughter of Guru Amar Das and wife of Guru Ram Das, she occupies an important place in Sikh religious history.

64. Mata Gujri — The wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur and grandmother of the younger Sahibzadas, she is remembered for courage and steadfast faith.

65. Mata Sahib Kaur — Revered in Sikh tradition as the spiritual mother of the Khalsa, she is associated with Guru Gobind Singh and the Sikh community.

66. Mai Bhago — A Sikh warrior and spiritual exemplar, Mai Bhago rallied deserters to return to battle and fought alongside them.

67. Mata Kaulan — Remembered in Sikh tradition for her devotion and association with Guru Hargobind, her name is connected with Gurdwara Mata Kaulan Sahib.

68. Bibi Amro — Remembered for singing hymns of Guru Nanak, Bibi Amro helped bring Guru Amar Das into closer contact with Sikh teachings.

69. Mata Sundari — Guru Gobind Singh’s wife, Mata Sundari helped guide the Sikh community after his death.

70. Bibi Rajni — A figure in Punjabi devotional folklore, Bibi Rajni is remembered for faith and perseverance. Her story belongs primarily to devotional tradition.

8. Women in Indian Sufi and related mystical traditions

71. Bibi Fatima Sam — A medieval woman associated with Delhi’s Chishti Sufi milieu, she is remembered in accounts of the spiritual circles surrounding Nizamuddin Auliya.

72. Jahanara Begum — The Mughal princess was a Sufi devotee associated with the Chishti order and wrote about the lives of Sufi saints.

73. Rabia Durrani — Better known as a Mughal-era patron than a saint, she should not be confused with Rabia al-Adawiyya of Basra, the celebrated early Sufi mystic.

74. Lal Ded — Also known as Lalleshwari, her mystical poetry is studied across religious boundaries in Kashmir. She is listed only once in this catalogue; this entry is included to highlight her significance to interreligious mystical traditions.

9. Modern Indian women mystics and spiritual teachers

75. Sarada Devi — Revered as the Holy Mother in the Ramakrishna tradition, Sarada Devi became a spiritual guide known for compassion and universal acceptance.

76. Anandamayi Ma — A twentieth-century Indian mystic, she attracted followers through her spiritual presence and teachings on devotion and inner realisation.

77. Gauri Ma — A renunciant associated with Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi, Gauri Ma founded the Saradeshwari Ashram to support women’s education and spiritual life.

78. The Mother (Mirra Alfassa) — A French-born spiritual leader who worked with Sri Aurobindo, she helped develop the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the vision behind Auroville.

79. Mata Amritanandamayi — Known internationally as Amma, she leads a spiritual and humanitarian movement centred on compassion, devotion and service.

80. Tenzin Palmo — A British-born Tibetan Buddhist nun, she is known for intensive meditation practice and advocacy for greater opportunities for Buddhist women.

81. Ayya Khema — A Buddhist teacher who helped make meditation and Buddhist philosophy accessible to international audiences.

82. Yeshe Tsogyal — A revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, she is remembered as a great practitioner associated with the transmission of Vajrayana teachings.

83. Machig Labdron — A Tibetan Buddhist teacher associated with the Chöd tradition, she developed a spiritual approach centred on confronting fear and attachment.

84. Pandita Ramabai — A scholar, religious thinker and social reformer, Ramabai worked for women’s education and the welfare of vulnerable women.

85. Sister Nivedita — Born Margaret Noble, she became a disciple of Swami Vivekananda and dedicated herself to education, social service and India’s cultural awakening.

86. Mother Teresa — Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, she devoted her life to caring for vulnerable people and was canonised by the Catholic Church in 2016.

87. Sister Alphonsa — A Catholic religious sister from Kerala, Alphonsa was canonised in 2008 and is revered for her faith and endurance.

88. Dadi Janki — A senior spiritual leader in the Brahma Kumaris, she taught meditation, self-discipline and the cultivation of inner peace.

89. Nirmala Devi — Founder of Sahaja Yoga, she taught a meditation practice centred on spiritual awakening and inner consciousness.

90. Swamini Pramananda — A contemporary Hindu teacher associated with Vedanta and spiritual education, she represents women’s participation in transmitting traditional philosophical teachings.

10. Additional women whose spiritual legacy deserves study

The following figures broaden the geographical and religious scope of this catalogue. They are included as women of religious, philosophical or devotional significance; their individual status as saints differs across traditions.

91. Ghosha’s fellow Vedic seer Godha — Godha appears in traditional lists of Rigvedic female seers. Her attributed identity should be studied through the relevant Vedic indexes and commentaries.

92. Juhu Brahmajaya — A name in traditional Vedic seer lists, Juhu is associated with Rigvedic hymn attribution, although her historical identity remains uncertain.

93. Yami — A figure in the Rigvedic dialogue hymn 10.10, Yami is a mythological speaker whose verses explore kinship and human desire, rather than a historically documented saint.

94. Indrani — A divine female figure appearing in Vedic literature, Indrani is associated with hymns and later traditions concerning the consort of Indra.

95. Sarama — A mythological figure in Vedic literature, Sarama is associated with the search for the stolen cows in the Rigvedic narrative tradition.

96. Aditi — A major Vedic goddess associated with boundlessness and the divine order, Aditi is a religious figure rather than a human woman saint.

97. Ratri — The Vedic personification of night, Ratri is praised in a hymn of the Rigveda and represents the sacred dimensions of the natural world.

98. Shraddha — Personified faith in Vedic literature, Shraddha appears in a hymn that reflects the religious importance of conviction and ritual devotion.

99. Medha — Associated with intelligence and sacred insight, Medha appears in Vedic and later Hindu traditions as a personification of wisdom.

100. Dakshina — A personification associated with sacrificial giving in Vedic tradition, Dakshina illustrates the religious importance of generosity and ritual exchange.

Conclusion: Rediscovering India’s women saints

The women in this list represent several distinct forms of spiritual authority. Gargi and Maitreyi are remembered for philosophical inquiry; Andal, Mirabai and Akka Mahadevi for devotional poetry; Buddhist nuns for their pursuit of liberation; Jain ascetics for discipline; and Sikh women for faith, courage and service.

Their stories also reveal the importance of distinguishing history from religious memory. A woman may be a philosopher, a poet-saint, a nun, a spiritual teacher, a revered figure in a sacred narrative or a divine personification. These categories overlap in some traditions but are not interchangeable.

Studying these women in their own right offers a fuller picture of India’s religious heritage and helps restore attention to female voices that have too often received less popular recognition than their male counterparts.

Sources and further reading

• Amiya Kumar Chakravorty’s study, The Female Seers of the Rgveda, on traditional attributions of Vedic hymns to women.
• Women in Early Indian Buddhism, published by Oxford University Press, for research on Buddhist women and nuns.
• NCERT’s chapter on Devotional Paths to the Divine, for the Alvars, Nayanars and women’s participation in bhakti.
• Oxford Academic’s studies of women’s worship and religious patronage in medieval Tamil Nadu.
• Jainpedia’s account of Chandanbala and women in Jain religious tradition.
• Oxford Academic’s research on Anandamayi Ma and female Hindu gurus.

These sources are useful starting points for checking names, traditions and historical claims before publication.