Vaishnavas

Vaishnavas are adherents of Vaishnavism, a major tradition within Hinduism that centers on Vishnu and his avatars, especially Krishna and Rama, as the supreme God and source of all existence. They emphasize bhakti, or devoted service, as the primary path to liberation and spiritual realization. While worship and theology vary among communities, most Vaishnavas share the view that loving devotion to Vishnu is central to achieving a right relationship with the divine.

Vaishnavism comprises several sampradāyas or lineages, each with its own philosophical emphasis. Sri Vaishnavism, associated with Ramanuja, teaches Vishnu as the supreme being with a qualified Unity between God and the individual soul. Dvaita Vaishnavism, founded by Madhva, presents a dualistic relationship between God and souls. Gaudiya Vaishnavism, established by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, centers on Krishna as the ultimate form of Vishnu and on the intimate pastimes of Krishna in devotion. Other traditions include Nimbarka’s Dvaitadvaita and Vallabha’s Shuddhadvaita. The Vaishnava corpus also engages a wide range of scripture and liturgy, including the Bhagavata Purana, the Vishnu Purana, the Ramayana, Vedas and Upanishads, and the Pancharatra texts.

Practices commonly associated with Vaishnavism include temple worship, kirtan (devotional singing), bhajans, japa (mantra repetition), prayer, study of scriptures, and pilgrimages to sacred sites such as Vrindavan, Tirupati, and Rameswaram. Festivals such as Janmashtami and Rama Navami are widely observed. Vaishnavism has had a lasting cultural influence across India, with regional expressions in South, North, and East India, and a growing global presence through temples and diaspora communities. Notable figures include the Alvars of Tamil Nadu, Ramanuja, Madhva, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and various Vaishnava saints and poets.