Vallabhacharyas

Vallabhacharyas are followers of Vallabhacharya (c. 1479–1531), a Hindu devotional reformer who founded the Pushtimarg, or Path of Grace, in the Braj region of northern India. The tradition centers on Krishna as the supreme deity and on devotion rooted in Krishna’s grace, rather than in asceticism or ritual calculation alone. Its theological stance is generally described as a form of pure devotion that emphasizes an intimate, loving relationship with Krishna and the belief that liberation comes through grace and sincere bhakti.

The core practice of the Vallabhacharya tradition is nitya-seva, continuous service to Krishna through temple worship, music, singing of bhajans, and offerings to the deity. The principal deity is Shrinathji, a form of Krishna believed to be a child Krishna, venerated by the community at Nathdwara in Rajasthan. The Goswami order, a line of temple servants and scholars, has historically guarded the Nathdwara temple and its ritual life, while the movement as a whole developed a network of temples, monasteries, and devotional centers across western India.

Historically, Vallabhacharya attracted a large following and organized his teachings into monastic and lay communities. After his time, the Nathdwara lineage became the most prominent center of his tradition, but regional centers and temples spread the Pushtimarg message to Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other parts of India. In modern times, Vallabhacharyas, often called Pushtimargis, maintain a vibrant devotional culture through liturgy, poetry, music, and pilgrimage, continuing to influence Indian Vaishnavism and its devotional arts.