Though ideologically the temples are divided between the sects of Hinduism, namely Saivism and Vaishnavism, the Char Dham pilgrimage is an all Hindu affair.
Among the non-Brahmins, sections of various communities like the Chettiars and Mudaliars (Thuluva Vellalars)in Tamil Nadu and sections of the Kammas, Padmashalis, Reddys, Rajus and Haridasus in Andhra Pradesh and so on in other states are known as Vaishnavites.
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Rama's wife Sita, his brother Lakshman with his devotee and follower Hanuman all play key roles within the Vaishnava tradition as examples of Vaishnava etiquette and behaviour.
Govindadasa (born 1535), Bengali Vaishnava poet known for his body of devotional songs addressed to Krishna
By contrast, for example, in Saivism, Sivan (the Tamil name for Siva) is considered superior while in Vaishnavism Vishnu is considered superior.
He is also credited with spreading Vaishnavism in Manipur after his grandfather Pamheiba made Hinduism the official religion and for creating a unified Manipur.
The book also touches upon long standing debates in Hindu theology like that between Advaita Vedanta which believes that one Supreme Impersonal Godhead Brahman permeates the entire Universe and the creation is the superimposition of this impersonal through Maya, and Vaishnavism, which is a dualist doctrine, i.e. it believes in God separate from the creation, viz. world.
His former pupil G. Babu Rao mentioned that E. C. John pointed out parallels for Epiphany and Theophany from Vaishnavism and Saivism respectively.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, as the Puthia royal family were converted to Vaishnavism by Radhamohana Thakura.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, (1874–1937), preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism throughout India
As one of the 108 Divya Desams, places of worship sung about by the early-medieval Alvars in their "Mangalasasanam" (praise-songs), it is a holy site of particular importance to Vaishnavism.