Ramanandi

The Ramanandi Sampradaya, or Ramanandi, is a major Vaishnava monastic tradition in India. It traces its origins to the 14th-century saint Ramananda and is one of the largest Vaishnava lineages in the country. Its followers, known as Ramanandis, emphasize devotion to Rama as the supreme form of Vishnu and uphold a guru-based lineage.

Ramananda preached bhakti across northern India, stressing personal devotion over ritual exclusivity. After his death, his disciples organized into monasteries and hierarchical orders, which helped spread the movement. The tradition established numerous mathas (monasteries) and centers throughout Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Nepal. The Ramanandi order has historically included both renunciates and household devotees and has been influential in rural communities and temple networks.

Beliefs center on rama bhakti, the chanting of Rama Nama, and the singing of devotional hymns, with service to Rama temples as a central practice. They accept scriptural authorities such as the Bhagavata Purana and the Ramayana and emphasize guru-parampara (the guru–disciple lineage). Sannyasis typically wear saffron robes, carry a danda (staff), and live by vows of renunciation. Many Ramanandi monasteries engage in social welfare activities, education, and pilgrimages to major Rama temples and pilgrimage sites.

In modern times, the Ramanandi tradition has played a significant role in the broader Vaishnava world, influencing temple administration and devotional practices in northern India and beyond. The movement is noted for its geographic reach, inclusivity of members from diverse backgrounds, and its enduring focus on the name and memory of Rama as a focus of devotion.