Swami Narayan sect

Swami Narayan sect was launched by Swami Sahajanand in Gujarat in beginning of the 19th century. He preached a puritanical ideology both of belief and practice. This sect was a sort of protest against the epicurean and luxurious practices of Vaishnavism. The sect advocated vegetarianism and advised people to shun liquor and drugs.

The Swami Narain sect preached monotheism. On the social front it emphasised the primary importance of character building in individuals, the necessity of a pure and simple life and social unity. The sect attacked the restrictions on widow remarriage, the institution of Sati, and the practice of female infanticide. Anyone was welcome to join it, irrespective of caste or creed, even Parsis and Muslims.