Pushtimarg in Gujarat

Shri Vallabhacharya's Pushtimarg is a way of life for Gujarati Vaishnav families, with the eight daily darshans, samagri and Ashtachhap kirtan of the havelis.

Pushtimarg is the path of devotion founded by Shri Vallabhacharya (1479–1531). "Pushti" means the grace of the Lord: on this path the devotee relies not on his own efforts but on Krishna's grace, taking him as everything and serving him with love. Its central mantra is "Shri Krishnah Sharanam Mama". Vallabhacharya travelled across India and expounded the Bhagavatam at many places; these are honoured as "Baithakji", and several of them are in Gujarat.

His son Shri Vitthalnathji, lovingly called Gusainji, gave the seva its wonderful beauty of shringar, music and offerings. According to tradition Gusainji visited Gujarat several times, and many Gujarati families became his disciples. Today the principal form of the Pushtimarg, Shrinathji, resides at Nathdwara in Rajasthan, and for Gujarati Vaishnavs a pilgrimage there is one of life's great blessings.

Almost every town in Gujarat has Pushtimarg havelis. They are called havelis, homes, rather than temples, because Thakorji is cared for here like the darling child of the house. The day's seva is arranged in eight darshans: Mangala (waking at dawn), Shringar (dressing and adornment), Gwal (the mood of going out with the cows), Rajbhog (the main midday meal), Utthapan (waking after rest), Bhog (the late-afternoon offering), Sandhya-Aarti and Shayan (retiring for the night). With every season and festival, Thakorji's clothes, adornment and samagri, the food offerings, change.

Each darshan is accompanied by kirtan, usually the padas of the Ashtachhap poets: Surdas, Kumbhandas, Paramanandadas, Krishnadas, Nanddas, Chaturbhujdas, Chhitswami and Govindswami. Many Gujarati Vaishnav families also serve Thakorji at home, and festivals such as Hindola, Annakut and Janmashtami bind the whole family together in one thread of devotion.

District

Gujarat (statewide)