What is Ramanand sect and how is it different from other sects?

Ayodhya Ram Mandir: The consecration of the grand Ram temple of Ramlala built in Ayodhya will be on 22 January 2024. Champat Rai is giving all the information related to the temple and life-consecration from time to time. Let us tell you that Champat Rai is the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.

But a statement given recently by Champat Rai is in the news. In this he said that, Ayodhya Ram Mandir belongs to the Ramanand sect. Champat Rai says-‘Ram’s temple…Ramanand tradition…that’s it. The temple belongs to the Ramanand sect…Ramanand…not to the Sannyasis…not to Shaiva Shaktas and Sannyasis…Ramanand. However, after his statement many questions are being raised. But first of all it is important to know, what is the Ramanand sect, how did it start and how is it different from other sects and why?

What is sect

There are many sects in Hindu tradition, such as Vaishnav, Shaiva, Shakta, Smarta, Vedic and Chavarka sects etc. All these sects also have sub-sects. Vaishnav sect is one which mainly believes in Lord Vishnu. That means the worshipable Lord of this sect is Shri Hari. Vaishnav sect is divided into four parts, the largest of which is Shri sect. It has two branches – Ramanand and Ramanuja. People of Ramanand sect worship Lord Ram and Sita. Their basic mantra is ‘Om Ramay Namah’

It is said that this is the only sect which worships Lord Rama and Sita. But this does not mean at all that other sects of Hindu religion do not worship Ram-Sita. But the primary deities of other sects are different. The worshipable deities of Ramanand sect are Lord and Sita. This sect only confirms the path of devotion instead of untouchability etc. People of this sect apply tilak of Shukla Shri, Bindu Shri, Rakta Shri, Lashkari etc.

Who started the Ramanand tradition

The credit for the establishment of the Ramanand sect is given to Shrimad Jagadguru Ramanandacharya. But before Srimad Ramanandacharya, this sect was known as Sri Sampradaya. After the appearance of Srimad Jagadguru Ramanandacharya, he started it as Sri Ramananda Sampradaya in honor of his Acharya. Because Lord Shri Ram himself had appeared as his Acharya. Jagadguru Ramanandacharya is also given the credit for propagating Bhakti in North India. He also founded the Vaishnav Bairagi sect, known as the Ramanandi sect.

This sect was born to eradicate untouchability

Ramanand reached Gurumath after the pilgrimage. Then his guru brothers objected to eating food with him. Because he assumed that Ramanand would not have taken care of untouchability while eating food during the pilgrimage. Then Ramanand asked his guru brothers and disciples to run a new sect in which casteism, untouchability etc. would not come in the way of religious activities or spiritual activities. It was from here that the Ramanand sect was born.

Also read: Who is ‘Champat Rai’, who left government job and became Ramlala’s Patwari, if you don’t know then see his complete profile here