Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism, is centered around the worship of Vishnu and his avatars. It is believed to have originated in ancient India and has evolved over time, giving rise to different sects within the tradition. These sects have their own unique beliefs and practices, while still being rooted in the worship of Vishnu.

The three main sects within Vaishnavism are Sri Vaishnavism, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, and Swaminarayan sect. Each of these sects has its own distinct beliefs and practices, which are based on their interpretations of the Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts.

Sri Vaishnavism, also known as the Sri Sampradaya, is the oldest sect within Vaishnavism. It was founded by Ramanuja in the 11th century and is mainly practiced in South India. The followers of Sri Vaishnavism believe in the concept of Vishishtadvaita, which means qualified non-dualism. They believe that the individual soul is a part of the universal soul, which is Vishnu. The ultimate goal of Sri Vaishnavism is to attain moksha, or liberation, by surrendering to Vishnu and performing devotional practices such as bhakti yoga.

Gaudiya Vaishnavism, also known as the Chaitanya Sampradaya, was founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. This sect is mainly practiced in Bengal and other parts of North India. The followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism believe in the concept of Achintya Bheda Abheda, which means inconceivable oneness and difference. They believe that the individual soul is eternally connected to Krishna, the supreme form of Vishnu. The followers of this sect focus on the practice of bhakti yoga and the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra to achieve liberation.

The Swaminarayan sect, also known as the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, was founded by Swaminarayan in the 19th century. This sect is mainly practiced in Gujarat and other parts of North India. The followers of this sect believe in the concept of dualism and believe that Vishnu and his avatars are separate from the individual soul. The ultimate goal of the Swaminarayan sect is to attain akshardham, the divine abode of Vishnu, through devotion and moral living.

In addition to these three main sects, there are also other minor sects within Vaishnavism, such as the Madhva sect and the Vallabhacharya sect. These sects also have their own unique beliefs and practices, but they all share the common thread of devotion to Vishnu and his avatars.

In terms of practices, all the sects within Vaishnavism place a strong emphasis on dev