Pushtimrga

Pushtimarga, literally meaning "path of nourishment" or "path of grace," is a Vaishnavite tradition within Hinduism. It was founded in the 16th century by Vallabhacharya in the western Indian region of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The tradition is associated with the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita, or pure non-dualism, which holds that Krishna is the supreme being and that the individual soul attains eternal loving union with Krishna through divine grace. Pushtimarga emphasizes bhakti (devotional love) expressed through ritual service and intimate devotion, underscored by the belief that grace, or pushti, sustains the soul.

The central worship in Pushtimarga is of Shri Krishna as Shrinathji, a form traditionally identified with Krishna as a child. The principal temple is the Shrinathji Temple at Nathdwara, Rajasthan, which serves as the theological and liturgical heart of the tradition. Daily rites, elaborate seva (service), offerings such as Raj Bhog, and music-filled worship are characteristic practices. Spiritual guidance is transmitted through a living guru in a recognized guru-parampara (line of succession), and adherents maintain a network of temples and centers across India and abroad.

Key centers include Nathdwara, with a broader presence in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other regions. The tradition also sustains a distinctive ritual vocabulary, devotional art, and musical expressions tied to Shrinathji worship. Pushtimarga remains a significant, regionally concentrated movement within Vaishnavism, noted for its emphasis on grace, personal devotion, and the intimate, loving relationship with Krishna.