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Whenever one writes about Gaudiya Vaishnavism, it is usually only in relation to the Gaudiya Math, founded by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. Gaudiya Math is based on Bhaktivinoda Thakur's interpretations of this teaching. I have often encountered the view that Bhaktivinoda Thakur brought many new elements to the Gaudiya philosophy.

Are there any living Gaudiya traditions based on the Chaitanya teachings, but which function quite independently of the Bhaktivinod Thakur - Bhaktisiddhanta - Bhaktivedanta (ISKCON) lineage?

And what are the differences between them? There are very few sources that I have found.

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    The Bhaktivedanta-Bhaktisiddhanta lobby believes that Sri Chaitanya's birthplace isn't in Navadwipa but in Mayapur as discovered by Bhaktivinoda. Tradinitionalist Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe that Sri Chaitanya's birthplace is in Navadwipa, either in Old Mayapur or lost due to erosion caused by the Ganga.
    – অনু
    Nov 23, 2021 at 2:22
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    Traditionalist Gaudiya Vaishnavas attach great importance to the descendents of Sri Chaitanya's companions, notably those from the line of Nityananda & Advaitacharya. This is opposed by the Bhaktivedanta-Bhaktisiddhanta lobby.
    – অনু
    Nov 23, 2021 at 2:25
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    The Bhaktivedanta-Bhaktisiddhanta lobby considers the worship of any deity other than Radha-Krishna to be an act of heresy. Although tradinitionalist Gaudiya Vaishnavas do sometimes sneer upon the worship of other deities, they don't actively discourage their followers from worshipping other deities like the Bhaktivedanta-Bhaktisiddhanta group.
    – অনু
    Nov 23, 2021 at 2:30
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    @Amritendu Mukhopadhyay Before coming here, I was active on Quora where I came in contact with the attempts of proselytization by ISKCONites. So I know a little or two about them. Besides you can consult Vanipedia on Internet for Bhaktivedanta's views. Regarding traditionalist Gaudiya Vaishnavas, this is real life experience of mine.
    – অনু
    Nov 23, 2021 at 11:35
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    Lord Shiva once was deep in meditation, but when the beautiful maid Parvati agitated him for sense pleasure, he agreed to the proposal and as a result Kartikeya was born. When Haridas Thakur was a young devotee of the Lord, he was similarly allured by the incarnation of Maya Devi (refering a prostitute); but Haridas easily passed the test because of his unalloyed devotion to Lord Krishna. One who is not, therefore, in Krishna consciousness, however powerful he may be in controlling the senses by artificial repression, is sure ultimately to fall. [Purport of Gita:2:58-62 as explained by him]
    – অনু
    Nov 24, 2021 at 14:24

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There are more than 64 Lineages in Gaudiya Sampradaya descending from Associates of Mahaprabhu - Like Gadadhar Pandit, Advaita Acharya, Nityananda Prabhu, 6 Goswamis etc.

The lineage of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur that is Gaudiya Matha & ISKCON are in the Parivaar of Advaita Acharya & their Sanyas Parampara is of Nityananda Prabhu parivaar.

Many other lineages are present mainly in Vrindavan, Bengal, Odisha, Manipur & Rajasthan.

Like Sri Radha Raman Parivaar of Srila Gopal Bhatt Goswami current head is Srila Pundrik Goswami Ji

Gadadhar Parivaar of Srila Gadadhar Pandit current head is Srila Satyanarayan Das Babaji & their institute is known as Jiva Institute

There are various other lineage of other Vaishnavas like Sri Vinod Bihari Babaji, Achyut Lal ji, Prem Gopal Goswami Ji, Ananta Das Babaji etc.

Many Parivaars differ from each other on certain Philosophical & Worshipable aspects however the Mul Siddhanta & Ishta are same.

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