Bhakti and Shakti movements transformed medieval India (c.6th-18th centuries) with a lasting effect on its religious and cultural manner. 

Bhakti

• This was the path to divine consciousness. Andal, a Tamil Alvar, Nayanars who were Sundarar from South India, and Kabir; Tulsidas (Ramacharitmanas); Mirabai’s Krishna bhajans in Northern India all used vernacular languages that drew people to the religion.
• This led to the destruction of the caste system as demonstrated by saints like Ravidas and Tukaram who called for social justice. Regional languages flourished with Bhakti poetry being composed while devotional music such as bhajans and kirtans became powerful channels of communication. Temples increased in number.

Shaktism

• It emphasized divine female power Shakti, which challenged the male-dominated gods, and gave women a bigger role in worship.
• The art and iconography of Shaktism are influenced by Tantric practices through depictions such as Durga and Kali, powerful goddesses.

From this point of view,

• The Bhakti movement started in South India (7th-12th centuries) and focused on Shaivism (Shiva) and Vaishnavism (Vishnu).
• In the North, saints during the 15th and 17th centuries mostly stressed God’s formless aspects as well as social reform movements.

Bhakti strengthened by Shaktism also challenged orthodox Hinduism by giving alternative ways to approach divinity. They were inclusive of the religions around them and they played a big part in shaping regional languages, literature, music, and art forms hence bringing about a rich cultural fabric.