At a glance
- Rules: Bishnoi (Jambhoji), 29 · Jasnathi (Jasnathji), 36.
- Ramsnehi branches: Shahpura (Ramcharanji) · Ren (Dariyavji) · Singhthal (Hariramdasji) · Khedapa (Ramdasji).
- Beyond Rajasthan: Madhvacharya taught Dvaita, with Vishnu as a God with attributes, so his bhakti is Saguna, not Nirgun · Ramananda spread the devotion of Rama.
Main saints and sects
- Dadu DayalKabir of RajasthanSectDadu PanthMain placeNaraina, near Phulera (Jaipur)Known forOpposed ritual, caste distinctions and idol worshipFull notes →
- JasnathjiGuru of the SiddhasSectJasnathi; the followers are called SiddhasMain placeKatariyasar (Bikaner)Known forThe Siddha men's fire danceFull notes →
- JambhojiEnvironment scientistSectBishnoiMain placeBorn at Pipasar; samadhi at MukamKnown forProtection of trees and living beingsFull notes →
- RamcharanjiAuthor of the Anbhai VaniSectRamsnehiMain placeBorn at Soda; seat at Shahpura (Bhilwara)Known forRepeating Ram's name; no idol in the RamdwaraFull notes →
- MirabaiRadha of RajasthanMain placeBrought up at Merta; married into MewarKnown forDevotee of Krishna as Giridhar Gopal; her padasFull notes →
- Khwaja Moinuddin ChishtiGharib NawazSectChishti (Sufi)Main placeAjmerKnown forHis dargah, Ajmer SharifFull notes →
- Hamiduddin Sufi NagauriSultan-ut-TarikinSectChishti (Sufi)Main placeNagaurKnown forDisciple of Moinuddin ChishtiFull notes →
- PipajiKing turned saintMain placeGagron (Jhalawar); temple at Samdari (then Barmer district, now Balotra)Known forKhichi Rajput ruler of Gagron who gave up his throne
- DhannajiPioneer of the religious movementMain placeDhuan (Dhuan Kalan), TonkKnown forJat farmer; three hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib
- LaldasjiNirgun saint of MewatSectLaldasiMain placeDholidub (Mewat); died at Nagla; samadhi at SherpurKnown forBorn into a Meo family; a married householder; Meo Muslims revere him as a pir
- CharandasjiFounder of the Charandasi sectMain placeBorn at Dehra, near Alwar; lived in DelhiKnown forGuru of Sahajobai and Dayabai; 1703–1782 CE
- Haridas NiranjaniGod as Alakh NiranjanSectNiranjaniMain placeKapadod, near DidwanaKnown forBorn Harisingh Sankhla; a robber before he turned to God, according to tradition
- MavjiKalki avatar to his followersSectNishkalankMain placeBorn at Sabla; founded Baneshwar DhamKnown forHis books are called chopde
- Rana BaiJat woman saintMain placeHarnawa, near MakranaKnown forKrishna devotee; took living samadhi at Harnawa in 1570 CE
- Gavri BaiNagar Brahmin poet-saintMain placeDungarpurKnown forBorn VS 1815; Maharawal Shiv Singh built a temple for her
- Nimbarka sectDvaitadvaita philosophyMain placeSalemabad (Ajmer)Known forRadha and Krishna worshipped together
- Vallabh sectChild Krishna worshipSectPushtimargMain placeNathdwara (Rajsamand)Known forShrinathji, brought from Govardhan in 1672
- Gaudiya sectChaitanya's Krishna devotionMain placeGovind Devji (Jaipur); Madan Mohanji (Karauli)Known forBoth images brought from Vrindavan
- Nath sectGurus of Maharaja Man SinghMain placeMahamandir, JodhpurKnown forBuilt in 1812, in Maharaja Man Singh's reign; murals of Nath yogis
Nirgun and Saguna devotion
- Nirgun, God without form and no idol: the Dadu Panth, Ramsnehi, Niranjani and Laldasi sects; Dhanna and Pipa also put the name of God above idol worship; Gavri Bai's padas are mostly Nirgun.
- Saguna, God with form: Mirabai and Rana Bai, and the Krishna sects (Vallabh, Nimbarka and Gaudiya).
Remember: often mixed up
- Gaudiya or VallabhGovind Devji (Jaipur) and Madan Mohanji (Karauli) are Gaudiya · Shrinathji (Nathdwara) is Vallabh (CET Graduation 2022).
- MahamandirJodhpur's Mahamandir belongs to the Nath sect, not the Bishnoi, Dadu or Ramsnehi sect (CET Graduation 2022).
- Ramananda's disciplesPipa, the ruler of Gagron · Dhanna, the Jat farmer of Tonk.
- Dhanna's birthplaceDhuan (Tonk) according to the RBSE book; some accounts give a village in Phagi (Jaipur).
- Other MeerasRana Bai of Harnawa is the 'second Meera of Rajasthan' · Gavri Bai of Dungarpur is 'Vagad ki Meera' (CET Graduation 2024).
- Dialect of Sahajobai and DayabaiRPSC's key gives Mewati (Protection Officer 2022); their saint idiom mixes Mewati with Haryanvi and Braj.
- Laldas's birth year1540 CE in most accounts; the RBSE Class 10 book prints 1504.
- Laldas's samadhia temple was built at his samadhi at Sherpur (RAS Prelims 2024).
Test yourself: asked in exams
CET Graduation Level 2022 · Q26
To which sect Govind Dev Temple, Jaipur and Madan Mohan Temple, Karauli are related?
- (1)Nath
- (2)Vallabh
- (3)Ramsnehi
- (4)Gaudiya
Show answer
✓ (4) Gaudiya
See the full paperCET Graduation Level 2022 · Q28
‘Mahamandir of Jodhpur’ is a place of worship of -
- (1)Bishnoi sect
- (2)Dadu sect
- (3)Ramsnehi sect
- (4)Nath sect
Show answer
✓ (4) Nath sect
See the full paperProtection Officer 2022 · Q135
The dialect in which the compositions of Bhakti Saints Sahajobai and Dayabai are found –
- (1)Mewati
- (2)Malvi
- (3)Dhundhari
- (4)Nimadi
Show answer
✓ (1) Mewati
See the full paperCET Graduation Level 2024 · Q135
Who is famous as ‘Wagad Ki Meera’?
- (1)Rana Bai
- (2)Karmawati
- (3)Gavri Bai
- (4)Panna Dhai
Show answer
✓ (3) Gavri Bai
See the full paperRAS Prelims 2024 · Q131
Consider the following statements about Saint Laldas and choose the correct option from below : A. Saint Laldas remained unmarried throughout his life. B. After the death of Saint Laldas, a temple was built at his Samadhi place.
- (1)Only A is true.
- (2)Only B is true.
- (3)A and B both are true.
- (4)A and B both are false.
Show answer
✓ (2) Only B is true.
See the full paperRAS Prelims 2024 · Q140
Which of the following statements is not correct regarding the Bhakti Movement ?
- (1)Vallabhacharya established Pushtimarga.
- (2)Nimbarka propounded the Philosophy of Dvaitadvait.
- (3)Madhvacharya propounded Nirguna Bhakti Siddhant instead of Saguna Bhakti.
- (4)Ramananda advocated Rama Bhakti.
Show answer
✓ (3) Madhvacharya propounded Nirguna Bhakti Siddhant instead of Saguna Bhakti.
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