Prominent sects under Vaishnavism

Question 1

Varkari
Sampradaya

Answer 1

Worship Lord Vishnu in his manifestation as Vithoba & centred around Vithoba’s temple at
Pandharpur in Maharashtra.
z Their annual pilgrimage is called Vari. Varkaris carry the padukas of the saints in palkis from
Samadhi to Pandharpur.
z Events like Rangan and Dhava are held during the pilgrimage, and under Rangan, a sacred
horse runs through the rows of pilgrims, who try to catch the dust particles kicked off and
smear their heads with the same.
z Prominent figures under this sect include Jnaneswar, Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram.

Question 2

Ramanandi
Sampradaya

Answer 2

Largest monastic group within Hinduism, and these Vaishnava monks are known as
Ramanandis, Vairagis or Bairagis.
z They adhere to the teachings of the Advaita scholar Ramananda.
z They worship Rama, one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu.
They are mainly settled around the Gangetic Plains.
z They perform meditation and follow strict ascetic practices, but they also believe that the
grace of God is required to achieve liberation.

Question 3

Brahma
Sampradaya

Answer 3

z It is associated with Lord Vishnu, the Para- Brahma or Universal Creator.
z The founder was Madhvacharya.
z Gaudiya Vaishnavism, promoted by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is associated with Brahma
Sampradaya.
z ISKCON belongs to this sampradaya.

Question 4

Pushti Marg
Sampradaya

Answer 4

z The devotion is based on pure love for Lord Krishna and their philosophy is that the ultimate
truth is one and only Brahm.
z It was founded by Vallabhacharya around 1500 AD.

Question 5

Nimbarka
Sampradaya

Answer 5

z Also known as the Hamsa Sampradaya or Kumara Sampradaya.
z The followers worship Radha and Krishna deities.