Shrinathji is the form of Lord Krishna enshrined at the great temple of the Pushti Marga tradition at Nathdvara in Rajasthan. Shrinathji is beloved especially as the divine child Krishna, but is also understood as the Supreme Lord who has entrusted himself to human care in the palace households, called havelis, which are the temples of this tradition.

“Hindu” was originally a word given by the Greeks, then the Persians, to the land and peoples beyond the Indus or “Sindhu” River. The term “Hinduism” came into common use only in the 19th century to describe a complex and dynamic pattern of life and practice. The Hindu tradition is more an ethos than a set of beliefs. It includes three major streams of Hindu devotion—Vaishnava, Shaiva, and Shakta—and a number of distinctive philosophical traditions. Despite great sectarian diversity, there are Hindu assumptions about life that do have common, although not universal, currency. the universe is... Read more about Hinduism

North Indian Bhakti began in about the 12th century with the Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, when a variety of poet-saints of northern India began to create a new devotional climate. This culminated in the 15th and 16th centuries with spirited devotional movements and vernacular poetry and song associated with Chaitanya, Kabir, Mira Bai, Vallabha, Tulsi Das, and Surdas.

Vishnu is one of the great Gods of the Hindu tradition. He is known in the Vedas and comes to be famous as the Lord who pervades the entire universe. He is Supreme but wholly auspicious, only occasionally displaying the dark side that is embraced by Shiva. Through his divine “descents” or avataras, Vishnu rescues the world again and again from the rise of powerful counter-forces sometimes called demons. Krishna is the most widely worshipped of the avataras, assuming the role of Supreme Lord as well. Vishnu also has many specific localized manifestations, such as Sri Venkateshvara at Tirupati... Read more about Vishnu

Vallabha or Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) was the Hindu philosopher and devotee of Krishna who is seen as the founder of Pushti Marga movement, the path of grace.

Sarasvati is the Goddess of learning, arts, and music, often depicted seated on a white swan and holding a vina, a stringed musical instrument. She is honored by many Hindus during the days of Navaratri, the “Nine Nights” of the Goddess. Students will bring school books to her altar for her blessings.