Religious Life in Rajasthan

Religious Life in Rajasthan is deeply rooted in the spiritual beliefs, rituals, and traditions followed by its people. In the context of Rajasthan Art & Culture, religion significantly influences festivals, social customs, folk practices, and everyday life. The presence of diverse religious communities reflects the region’s cultural harmony and rich spiritual heritage.

In Rajasthan, numerous religious sects based on the worship of Rama, Krishna, Shiva and Durga originated and developed. Hinduism is the principal religion of the state. Within Hinduism, the largest number of followers belong to the Vaishnava tradition, that is, those who worship Vishnu. In addition to the Vaishnavas, followers of Shaivism and Shaktism also reside in the state in varying numbers. The Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta traditions are further divided into several sects and sub-sects.

On the basis of modes of worship, Vaishnava and Shaiva devotees can be classified into two categories:

• Saguna Sect –
  • n this tradition, God is regarded as supreme and worshipped in a manifested, idolized form.
  • Major Saguna saints – Ramanujacharya, Nimbarkacharya, Ramananda, Madhvacharya, Vallabhacharya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Mirabai, Gauribai, Durlabhji, Ramabai.
• Nirguna Sect
  • Followers of this tradition worship God as a formless and attributeless supreme reality.
  • Major Nirguna saints – Jambhoji, Jasnathji, Sant Dadu Dayal, Kabir, Raidas, Sant Pipa, Navaldasji, Lalgiri Ji, Sundardas Ji, Rajjab Ji, Nath Sampradaya.

Religious Communities and sects in Rajasthan

Vaishnavism and Its Sects

• Vaishnavas are those who worship Lord Vishnu and his ten incarnations as the principal deity.
• Founder – Vasudeva Shri Krishna; Vaishnavism is also known as Bhagavata Dharma.
• Early information regarding Vaishnavism is found in the Upanishads; the earliest reference in Rajasthan is from the Ghosundi inscription (2nd century B.C.).
• Vishnu is believed to have fourteen incarnations; the Matsya Purana describes ten incarnations.
• The most sacred incarnation – Varaha (the Boar incarnation).
• Alvars – Saints who revitalized the Vaishnava Bhakti movement in South India.
  • The only female Alvar saint – Andal.
  • Divya Prabandham – Poetic compositions of the twelve Alvar saints.
• Major Sects of Vaishnavism –
  • Ramanuja Sampradaya
  • Ramanandi Sampradaya
  • Nimbarka Sampradaya
  • Vallabha Sampradaya
  • Brahma or Gaudiya Sampradaya

Ramanuja Sampradaya

• Founder – Ramanujacharya
  • Born in 1017 A.D. at Tirupati (Tamil Nadu)
  • Guru – Yamunachary
  • Major works – Shri Bhashya, Vedanta Sangraham
  • Propounded philosophy – Vishishtadvaita
• Shri Ramanujacharya established the Shri Sampradaya (Kanchi, Srirangapattana).
• Ramanujacharya regarded Bhakti, not knowledge, as the path to liberation; therefore, in this philosophy Rama is worshipped as Parabrahman. Hence, it is also called the Ramavat Sampradaya.
• Major seats in North India –

Ramanandi Sampradaya

• Founder – Ramanand; Guru – Shri Raghavanand.
• Major seats – Galta Ji (Jaipur), Uttar Totadri (Galav Tirth, Monkey Valley).
• Contribution – Initiated the Bhakti tradition from South India to North India.
• Also known as the Ramavat or Ramanandi Sampradaya (a sect propagated in North India).
• Special feature – Predominance of Rama devotion through the path of knowledge.
• Ideology – Opposed social discrimination, caste hierarchy and untouchability.
• Major disciples – Kabir (weaver), Pipa (tailor), Dhanna (Jat), Raidas (cobbler), Anantanand, Surasuranand, Bhavanand, Sadna, Saina (barber), Surasuri, Padmavati, Sukhanand.
• Propagation in Rajasthan – Sant Krishnadas Payahari (disciple of Anantanand).
• In 1503 A.D., Krishnadas defeated Chatur Nath in a religious debate; Amer ruler Prithviraj and Queen Bala Bai became his followers.
• Sawai Jai Singh patronized the Ramanandi Sampradaya and commissioned the court poet Shri Krishn Bhatt Kalanidhi to compose the text Ram Rasa.
• Rasik Sampradaya – Established by Agradas at Revasa near Sikar; also known as Janaki Sampradaya, Siya Sampradaya or Rahasya Sampradaya.
• Kilhandas initiated the worship of Rama and Sita in the romantic devotional style of Radha-Krishna.
• Dhyan Manjari – Principal text of the Rasik Sampradaya (composed by Agradas).

Nimbarka Sampradaya

• Other names – Hansa Sampradaya / Sanakadi Sampradaya.
• Founder – Acharya Nimbarkacharya (12th century).
• Major text – Vedanta Parijat Bhashya; other work – Dashashloki.
• Philosophy – Dvaitadvaita (Bhedabheda).
• Major seat – Salemabad (Ajmer), established by Acharya Parashuram Devacharya; other seat – Udaipur.
• Spread – First propagated in Vrindavan; known as “Neemavat” in Marwar.
• Special feature – Radha is regarded as the wedded consort of Shri Krishna and worshipped in the dual (Yugal) form.
• Sakhi Sampradaya – Propagated in Krishna devotion by Nimbark saint Haridas Ji.
• Other seat – Udaipur.

Vallabh (Pushtimarg) Sampradaya

• Founder – Vallabhacharya; Father – Lakshman Bhatt; Mother – Illammagaru.
• Major work – Anu Bhashya.
• Philosophy – Shuddhadvaita (Pure Non-dualism).
• Sect – Pushtimarg (meaning: the Path of Divine Grace).
• Title – Conferred the title “Mahaprabhu” by Vijayanagar ruler Krishnadevaraya; regarded as Vaishvanar Avatar (incarnation of Agni).
• Ashtachhap poet group – Established by Vallabhacharya’s son Vitthalnath Ji; poets – Kumbhandas, Surdas, Paramananddas, Krishnadas, Nanddas, Chaturbhujdas, Govindswami, Chhitswami; Surdas was called the “Ship of Pushtimarg.”
• Total seats – Seven; Principal seat – Shrinath Ji (Nathdwara).
• Other seats –
  • Mathuradhish Ji – Kota
  • Vitthalnath Ji – Nathdwara (Rajsamand)
  • Dwarkadhish Ji – Kankroli (Rajsamand)
  • Gokulnath Ji – Gokul (U.P.)
  • Gokulchandrama Ji – Kama (Bharatpur)
  • Madanmohan Ji – Kama (Bharatpur)
  • Balkrishna Ji – Surat (Gujarat)
• Historical event – During the reign of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar, the idol of Shrinath Ji was brought from Vrindavan to Sinhad (Nathdwara) by Damodar Gusai Maharaj.
• Haveli Sangeet – During darshan, singers traditionally perform compositions of the Ashtachhap poets accompanied by musical instruments.
• Pichwai – A painted backdrop depicting Krishna Leela placed behind the idol of Shrinath Ji.
• Fairs – Fair on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami; Annakut Festival.
• Motto – “Shri Krishna Sharanam Mam.”

Brahma or Gaudiya Sampradaya

• Origin – Madhvacharya (propounder of the doctrine of Dvaita).
• Founder – Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (12th century).
• Birth – Nadia (Bengal); childhood name – Nimai.
• He gave a new form to the sect and spread it among the masses.
• Major seat – Govind Dev Ji Temple (Jaipur).
• Gaudiya Sampradaya – Krishna is regarded as Parabrahman.
• Gaud Swami (disciple of Madhvacharya) propagated this sect.
• Man Singh I constructed the Govind Dev Ji Temple at Vrindavan. During the reign of Aurangzeb, the idol from this temple was brought to Amer.
• The Govind Dev Ji Temple at Jaipur was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh.
• Shri Govind Dev Ji – Considered the presiding deity of Jaipur city.
• Sawai Jai Singh served as his Diwan (administrator).
• In the Gaudiya Sampradaya, Radha-Krishna are worshipped in their dual (Yugal) form.
• Other famous Gaudiya temples in Rajasthan –
  • Madan Mohan Ji Temple – Karauli
  • Gopinath Temple – Jaipur
  • Govind Dev Ji – Jaipur

SHAIVISM AND ITS SECTS

• Followers of Shaivism worship Lord Shiva and his incarnations. They worship the Shiva Linga and generally remain lifelong celibates.
• Nayanars – Saints who propagated Shaivism in South India.
• Four sects of Shaivism –
  • Kapalika
  • Pashupata
  • Lingayat (Veerashaiva)
  • Kashmir Shaiva
• Kapalika Sect
  • They worship Bhairava as an incarnation of Shiva.
  • Their ascetics are Tantric practitioners, often residing in cremation grounds; they smear ashes on their bodies and wander from place to place.
  • Their six main symbols are mala (garland), ornaments, earrings, gems, ash and sacred thread.
• Pashupata Sect
  • Founder – Lakulisha
  • Lakulisha is regarded as the 24th incarnation of Shiva.
  • Harit Rishi of Mewar belonged to this sect.
  • The Eklingji Temple of Mewar, constructed by Bappa Rawal, is main  temple of the Pashupata sect.
  • The earliest evidence in Rajasthan – Sheetleshwar Temple.
  • Major centres –
    • Badoli (Chittorgarh)
    • Eklingji (Udaipur)
    • Sheetleshwar Temple (Jhalrapatan)
• Veerashaiva Lingayat (Karnataka)
  • Founder – Basava.
• Kashmir Shaiva
  • Origin – Kashmir.
• Nath Sampradaya
  • Another form of the Shaiva tradition.
  • Founder – Nath Muni.
  • Major saints – Matsyendra Nath, Gopichand, Bharthari, Gorakhnath.
  • Gorakhnath is regarded as the founder of the Hatha Yoga system.
  • Branches of the Nath sect in Rajasthan
    • Bairag Panth
      • Main centre – Ratadunga (Pushkar).
      • First propagator – Bharthari.
    • Mannathi Panth 
      • Principal seat – Mahamandir (Jodhpur).
      • Mahamandir at Jodhpur was constructed in 1805 A.D. by Man Singh Rathore for Guru Aayas Devanath (84 pillars).
      • Rawal Yogi – Yogis who do not pierce their ears and do not wear earrings.
      • Aughad Yogi – With cut ears and matted hair.
• Special – Kanpa Panth – Established by Kanpa Nath, disciple of Jalandhar Nath; associated with the Kalbelia community.