Vaisnava India Poll

What area of India most perfectly practices the Vaisnava culture?

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Vaisnava India Poll

<input type="radio" name="option" value="1" />AndhraPradesh

<input type="radio" name="option" value="2" />Bihar

<input type="radio" name="option" value="3" />Goa

<input type="radio" name="option" value="4" />Gujarat

<input type="radio" name="option" value="5" />Haryana

<input type="radio" name="option" value="6" />HimachalPradesh

<input type="radio" name="option" value="7" />Jammu & Kashmir

<input type="radio" name="option" value="8" />Karnataka

<input type="radio" name="option" value="9" />Kerala

<input type="radio" name="option" value="10" />MadhyaPradesh

<input type="radio" name="option" value="11" />Maharashtra

<input type="radio" name="option" value="12" />Manipur

<input type="radio" name="option" value="13" />North East India

<input type="radio" name="option" value="14" />Orissa

<input type="radio" name="option" value="15" />Pondicherry

<input type="radio" name="option" value="16" />Punjab

<input type="radio" name="option" value="17" />Rajasthan

<input type="radio" name="option" value="18" />Tamil Nadu

<input type="radio" name="option" value="19" />Uttar Pradhesh

<input type="radio" name="option" value="20" />West Bengal

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Some interesting results. Perhaps after we can discuss what makes these regions practice of Vaisnavism so nice.

This isn’t a scientific poll, but it looks like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are the places in India that practice the Vaisnava culture most perfectly. I can definitely see this based on my experiences with individuals from these regions. When we speak of Vaisnava culture I suppose there are a lot of things involved there. Certainly one would be hospitality, and this is where I’ve noticed that Tamils and Gujaratis certainly excel (again just my experience). Any comments on how they practice Vaisnavism? I'm rather happy that Manipur got a few votes. I've always found what little I've seen of Manipuri Vaisnavism as very beautiful.

I am not surprised that Goa does not have any votes. Aren't they predominately Christian? Also, probably a lot of left over hippies still trying to find their way home.

I agree Tamil Nadu - very friendly and devoted etc. But I thought that West Bengal would get more votes than they have.

Perfect Vaisnava culture is prevalent mostly near the 108 divya desams (temples where sri vaisnava azvars sung the glories of the lord)- mostly in Tamilnadu, although other vaisnava cultures are prevalent in rest of the states.

The divya desam in Andhra Pradesh (state where I was born and grew up:)- TIRUMALA 'Sri Venkateshwara temple' is the World's richest temple. The temple on top of Tirumala hills is very magnificent. People of AP and the rest of India go for a default pilgrimage to tirumala. Do visit this place.

Unfortunately some people in the holy places lack things like civic sense, integrity etc except devotion, So be watchful/images/graemlins/ooo.gif!

-Prasad.

I seem to recall that Gaudiya Vaishnavism was brought to Manipur by disciples of Narottam Das Thakur. I’m not positive on this, its just something in the back of my mind. I’ve spoken to a few devotees who have been to Manipur and they tell me the tradition is very strong. In fact, they say you will find police officers and government officials wearing Gaudiya tilak in the performance of their duties. Here is a quote I found from the following website:

http://www.manipuronline.com/Profiles/January2003/iskcon20_1.htm

Srila Prabhupada who had a great respect for Manipur Vaishnavism and Kshatriayism and its cultural heritage, told Sripada that, "... knowledge, good quality, happiness, advancement of life, everything is complete in Manipur. So let us go to Manipur. Arrange for that. We shall organize Manipur as a Vaishnava state ... and train the Manipuris the slogan -Jaya Radhe! Jaya Krishna! Jaya Babhruvahana! Jaya Arjuna!"

 

 

Cute Manipuri Gaudiya Vaishnava baby:

Manipuri procession

Here are some quotes from Srila Prabhupada about Manipur:

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, in Mayapura we see so many pilgrims coming from Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. They’re having this Vaisnava tilaka. Gaudiya Vaisnava tilaka and they also worship Caitanya Mahaprabhu. How is that influence also there?

 

Prabhupada: Caitanya Mahaprabhu went there.

 

Devotee: He went to Manipur then.

 

Gurudasa: Wasn’t it one of the times he was going to Vrndavana but didn’t go, then He went to Manipur? Is that correct?

 

Prabhupada: I do not know. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to go and preach in eastern Bengal. And his original paternal house is in Sylhet.

 

Dr. Patel: It is in Assam.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. His forefathers from Sylhet. Jagannatha Misra, His father came from Sylhet to Navadvipa for studying. Then Nilambara Cakravarti got him married with his daughter, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mother. And he resided in Nabadwip.

 

 

Svarupa Damodara: Yes. In Manipur, it’s no so much influenced yet from outside civilization.

 

Prabhupada: Therefore I suggest. They are Vaisnavas. They can take it and show an ideal state in the world. Then others may follow.

 

Svarupa Damodara: Every day in the radio, all Manipur radio, they have Caitanya-caritamrta reading at one o’clock. They read Bengali. One reads and another translates. It is a regular feature. And Mahabharata, Ramayana. These are radio programs.

 

Prabhupada: Just see. So why not? I may go or not go, but let the leaders take up this process to make Manipur an ideal state of Krsna consciousness.

 

Tamala Krsna: It’s already a lot of Krsna consciousness.

 

Prabhupada: Oh, yes. And they are coming from Babhruvahana. Babhruvahana is the son of Arjuna.

 

 

Svarupa Damodara: So far in Manipur, most people in the educated class, they all accept.

 

Prabhupada: Then that will be very nice. I want to have a small Vaisnava state – varnasrama ideal.

 

Svarupa Damodara: This is possible in Manipur.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. Therefore I thought it. Ideal Vaisnava state. Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaisya, Sudra. They are doing very nicely, and people will be surprised. “Oh.” There is no question of hatred. It is division for proper discharge of duty.

 

Svarupa Damodara: But I saw in the airport, the policemen, they have this tilaka.

 

Prabhupada: Tilaka.

 

Svarupa Damodara: Policemen, they are dressed, but they have tilaka.

 

Prabhupada: Manipur? Manipur?

 

Svarupa Damodara: Yes, Manipur. And always give respect. Though I am nobody, but…

 

Prabhupada: Tilak.

 

Svarupa Damodara: Yes.

 

Tamala Krsna: Wow. The policemen wear tilaka. There is justice for sure.

 

Prabhupada: So immediately do it. I shall go. If there is such possibility… Let us have a small ideal state. If respectable gentlemen take it, oh, it will be a great success, an ideal state throughout the whole world, Vaisnava state.

 

Tamala Krsna: Example. You can show that example.

 

Prabhupada: Show their policemen, all with tilaka and marching “Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

 

Tamala Krsna: Do they chant there?

 

Svarupa Damodara: Yes. They have…

 

Prabhupada: We shall train them. Military march, Manipur. Slogan: “Jaya Radhe! Jaya Krsna! Jaya Babhruvahana! Jaya Arjuna!” And then let us go. We shall organize Bombay headquarters, Manipur Vaisnava state, send missionary all over the world, bonafide, scientific system of religion, ideal character. Ideal character. Yasyasti bhaktir bhagavty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. That we have to show. “Here is the sum total of all good qualities.” That we have to show. We haven’t got to go anywhere. Knowledge, good quality, happiness, advancement of life, everything complete. So let us go to Manipur. Arrange for that.

 

 

Prabhupada: Make Manipur a big nice center of Vaisnava. You are descendants of Babhruvahana. There is no doubt about it. Vaisnava raja. Make Manipur a strong center of Krsna, and it will be easily done, strong Vaisnava center, ksatriya. I would like to see this.

 

Svarupa Damodar: I think the government, the Manipur government, they are willing to even donate land.

 

Prabhupada: Yes, let us cooperate.

 

Svarupa Damodar: It will be very easy.

 

Prabhupada: Let us cooperate. The Manipur is already… For the last five thousand years at least, their name is in the Bhagavatam, Manipur. And still they are Vaisnavas. They have got temple in Navadvipa, in Vrndavana. So Manipur have cele…

 

Gargamuni: The chief minister also came, Karan Singh.

 

Prabhupada: The governor of Punjab is Manipuri. He’s so kind, he came to see me with his full staff. That governor is so respectful to me. So he came to see me. You know?

 

 

Gujerati culture is very Vaishnavav like. Our main Saints where VAishanva such as Meerabai, NArsih mehta and Jalaram baba