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Religion
Hinduism, the religion of most of the population, is generally
practised through the worship of Brahma, Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu,
and other gods and goddesses. Nathdwara is an important religious
centre for the Vallabhacharya sect of Krishna followers.
There are also followers of the Arya Samaj, a reforming sect of
modern Hinduism, as well as other forms of that religion
Jainism is also important; it has not been the religion of the
rulers of Rajasthan but has followers among the trading class and
the wealthy section of society. Mahavirji, Ranakpur, Dhulev, and
Karera are the chief centres of Jain pilgrimage
The Dadupanthi forms another important religious sect the followers
of Dadu (d. 1603), who preached the equality of all men, strict
vegetarianism, total abstinence from intoxicating liquor, and lifelong
celibacy
Islam, the religion of the State's second largest religious community,
expanded in Rajasthan with the conquest of Ajmer by Muslim invaders
in the late twelfth century. Khwajah Muin-ud-Din Chishti, the Muslim
missionary, had his headquarters at Ajmer, and Muslim traders, craftsmen,
and soldiers settled there. The State's population of Christians
and Sikhs is small. |
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