Gowdiya Vaishnava follows the same philosophical doctrine of dualism and non-dualism as the Chaitanya Vaishnava. Their idea of salvation is that the devotee after death goes to the Golaka where he gets the privilege of serving his tutelary deity Radha Krishna for all time. Unlike the Chaitanyaites who look upon Radha as Krishna`s wife the Gowdiya Vaishnavites regard Her as His mistress, because it is their belief that love or Bhakti can be manifested in its supreme form in the relation of a mistress and not in any other relationship.

The Gowdiya Vaishnavites do not observe caste barriers. Persons belonging to different castes are admitted into this order. However, more often than not caste restrictions are observed at the time of taking meals. The ascetics of this sect wear three strands of tulsi necklace quite close to the neck. Their common dress comprises white garments, but a large number of those of the Gaudiya Mission have taken to ochre coloured clothes. The tilak mark which is like that of the Chaitanyaites, consists of two white perpendicular lines, joined over the bridge of the nose, from which another white line is extended down the ridge of the nose to its tip. The names of the male ascetics end in Dasa and those of female ones in Dasi. The ascetics of Gowdiya Vaishnavite sect observe Ramanavami (the 9th day of the bright half of Chaitra), Narshimha-Jayanti (the 14th day of the bright half of Vaisakha), Janmastami (the 8th day of the dark half of Sravana) and Vantanadvadasi (the 12th of the bright half of Bhadra). They also observe Chaitanya anniversary which falls on the 15th day of the bright half of Phalguna) and observe fasting on all the lunar fortnights.

Some Mathas of Gowdiya Vaishnavites depending upon their means are running schools and dispensaries. They have also gosalas and Dharmasalas and help people by extending medical relief and distributing food in flood and drought affected areas. In fact the ascetics of Gaudiya Mission are noted for such social services.

There are quite a large number of mathas of Gowdiya Vaishnavite located in Puri town. They are Sana Santha, Patiarani, Salbeg, Jatin Babaji, Jena, Haldia, Daupada/Krupasamudra, Kanasa, Phalahari Baba brahmacari, Arjuna Das and Balibabaji.