there is no such branch

Well, it's not the idols being worshipped. It is the Gods through the idols. (When you see the God, you think about the God and BOOM the God is there). As to your second question, I believe there are even Atheist Hindu branches, so you can pretty safely assume that there are. There are a lot of different philosophies within Hinduism. (Some even consider Buddhism a branch, even though they deny the Vedas)

Hindu, never worship idols. It's like you keeping a photo of your mother, husband or wife in yoru room and seeing them through the photo. Idols are used to visualize God for the people who doesn't have the capability to visualize them otherwise. There is absolutely no idol worship in Hindu. criticism is born with Hindu. It allows criticism and adapatability. It can change and new religions can be originated etc. If u do not want to believe in God and want to remain as Hindu, you still can do that.

I think Arya Samajis don't worship idols, so are the adwait-vedantis, but Hindus don't take these things too serious to shed teras or blood for them. They know its all make-believe, to each his/her own, the formless 'Param Atman Brahman' behind all this symbolism, etc. Now isn't that wisdom & enlightenment?

Uttama Sahajawastha Madhyama Dhyan-dharaNa Adhama Pratima-pooja Teerth-yatra-AdhamaAdhama! Uttama Sahajawastha ...(Best is the 'natural state', living by biological urges and in harmony with nature and each-other, etc. = Work-eat-sleep-enjoy-do good, do no harm) Madhyama Dhyan-dharaNa (meditation is of medium quality / importance). Adhama Pratima-pooja (idolatry is the inferior kind of worship) Teerth-yatra-AdhamaAdhama! (pilgrimage is the worst of the worst of all!) In the 'pre-industry-pre-leisure-tourism' old days, places of pilgrimage were the only way of promoting and supporting local economy. Today this has become a tragic, unaffordable and avoidable waste of time and resources. It is perfectly alright to visit these places to study the cultural influence and admire the architecture, sculpture or atmosphere in wonderment. But don’t go there to ‘wash’ your –or your ancestors’-- sins or achieve ‘salvation’! If the motive is ‘spiritual-ritual’… that’s a lost cause! Because all organised religion is a con by the priest-class!! Sheikh-Burrahuman Mulla-Pandey Sub hei ik maty ke bhandey! Om shanti Om! Hari Om tat sat!