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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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