As per legend, the three Alvars were once confined in a small dark enclosure during a rain in Thirukovilur and they experienced a fourth individual among them.

They found out that it was god Vishnu and Poigai Alvar wished to see his face continuously but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning.

Along with the three Shaiva Nayanmars, they influenced the ruling Pallava kings of the South Indian region, resulting in changing the religious geography from Buddhism and Jainism to the two sects[clarification needed] of Hinduism.

Divya Suri Saritra by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), Guruparamparaprabavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, Periya tiru mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokacharya, commentaries on Divya Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the Alvars and their works.

[4][5] According to traditional account by Manavala Mamunigal, the first three Alvars, namely, Poigai, Bhoothath and Pey belong to Dvapara Yuga (before 4200 BCE).

[3][4][6][7][8] Along with the three Saiva nayanmars, they influenced the ruling Pallava kings, creating a Bhakti movement that resulted in changing the religious geography from Buddhism and Jainism to these two sects of Hinduism in the region.

[14][15][16] Tamil கைதை சேர் பூம்பொழில் சூழ் கச்சி நகர் வந்துதித்த பொய்கைப் பிரான் கவிஞர் போரேறு - வையத்து அடியவர்கள் வாழ அருந்தமிழ் நூற்றந்ததி படிவிளங்கச் செய்தான் பரிந்து Transliteration kaidhai ser pumpoḻil suḻ kachi nagar vandhudhiththa poygaip piran kavinjar poreru vaiyaththu adiyavargal vaḻa arunthamiḻ nutrantati padivilangkach seythan parindhu

[citation needed] Poigai Alvar wished to see Vishnu's face continuously, but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning.

With a view to maintain the continuity of light, he instantly composed hundred songs wishing the earth to be a big pot full of ghee like an ocean where the sun could be the burning wick.

[7][12][4] Tamil வையம் தகளியா வார்கடலே நெய்யாக வெய்ய கதிரோன் விளக்காக - செய்ய சுடர் ஆழியான் அடிக்கே சுட்டினேன் சொல் மாலை இடராழி நீங்குகவே என்று Transliteration vaiyam thagaliya varkadale neyyaga veyya kadhiron vilakkaga seyya sudar aḻiyan adikke suttinen sol malai idarḻi ningkugave enru

Deeming in the world as bowl, the full sea as ghee, the fierce-rayed sun as a luminous wick, I have twined a garland of speech for the feet of Him who wields the red flaming discus so that there may be freedom from the ocean of misery.

[21][22] There is a shrine dedicated to Poigai in the Yathothkari Perumal Temple tank called Deva Sarovaram where his image is depicted in reclining posture.

[24] Alvar Utsavam is a festival celebrated annually during the birth date of the saint based on Tamil calendar in the Yathothkariswami temple at Tiruvekka.