Festivals-Annual Festivals of 2003

Annual Festivals 2003

	January 14: Posh sud 11: Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan) (Click here to learn more) The day the sun begins to move northwards, heralding the gradual increase of daylight hours. It is a time to be charitable by giving grains, clothes and money. It is also the time when kites are flown.
	January 18: Posh sud 15: Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami Diksha Day, Poshi Punam (Click here to learn more) Celebrates the day Mul Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was initiated into the sadhu-fold by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	January 26: Posh vad 9: Republic Day The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.
	February 6: Maha sud 5: Vasant Panchami: (Click here to learn more) Signifies the onset of spring. For the Swaminarayan Sampraday it holds a special significance, since, on this day Bhagwan Swaminarayan presented the 'Shikshapatri' in its final form. It is also the birthday of Brahmanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami and Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj (founder of the BAPS).
	March 1: Maha vad 14: Shivaratri: (Click here to learn more) This is a festival in honor of Lord Shiva whose marriage to Parvati took place on this day. People observe a fast on this day and stay awake throughout the night, praying to Lord Shiva.
	March 17: Falgun sud 15: Holi, Bhagatji Maharaj's Birthday (Click here to learn more) Celebrates the protection of Prahlad from his father, the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. Prahlad was seated in a fire with his sister, Holika. She perished in the fire, but Prahlad survived. In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, devotees celebrate the birthday of Bhagatji Maharaj, the second spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	March 18: Falgun sud 15: Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav (Click here to learn more) This is a spring festival, in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water.
	April 11: Chaitra sud 9: Ramnavmi (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Ram.
	April 11: Chaitra sud 9: Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	April 14: Chaitra sud 13: Mahavir Jayanti The birthday of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism.
	April 16: Chaitra sud 15: Hanuman Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram.
	May 4: Vaishakh sud 3: Akhatrij (Click here to learn more) The day from which the murtis of the Lord are adorned with sandalwood paste for one month.
	May 14: Vaishakh sud 14: Nrusinh Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu.
	May 16 : Vaishakh sud 15: Buddha Jayanti The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
	May 27: Vaishakh vad 12: Yogi Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	June 4: Jeth sud 4: Pramukh Varani Din (Click here to learn more) The day Pramukh Swami Maharaj, as a young 28-year-old, was appointed as the administrative president of BAPS by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj.
	June 11: Jeth sud 11: Bhim Ekadashi
	July 1: Ashadh sud 2: Rathyatra (Click here to learn more) Annual festival in which murtis of the Lord are paraded in decorated chariots around the city. A mammoth festival is held in Jagannathpuri.
	July 10: Ashadh sud 11: Devpodhi Ekadashi The first day of chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional observances are undertaken.
	July 13: Ashadh sud 15: Guru Purnima (Click here to learn more) The day on which devotees honor their guru. They pay their respects and offer their gratitude for the spiritual guidance the guru gives.
	August 12: Shravan sud 15: Raksha Bandhan (Click here to learn more) Sisters tie an amulet (called Rakhi or Raksha) around the wrist of their brothers, and pray for their protection from surrounding evil.
	August 15: Shravan vad 3: Independence Day The day on which India became an independent, democratic nation.
	August 20: Shravan vad 8: Janmashtami (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna.
	August 30: Bhadarvo sud 3: Sam-Shravani Sadhus and samvedi Brahmins change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day.
	August 31: Bhadarvo sud 4: Ganesh Chaturthi (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiva and Shri Parvatiji.
	September 4: Bhadarvo sud 9: Shri Hari Navmi ( Click here to learn more )
	September 6: Bhadarvo sud 11: Jal Jhilani Ekadashi (Click here to learn more) The midpoint of chaturmas. The Lord is taken for a boat ride.
	September 7: Bhadarvo sud 12: Vaman Jayanti ( Click here to learn more )
	September 26: Aso sud 1: Start of Navratri (Click here to learn more) Festival of the nine nights. A period in which special prayers are offered to Shri Parvati, also called Goddess Durga. It celebrates her victory over the demon, Mahishasur.
	October 7: Aso sud 10: Vijaya Dashmi (Click here to learn more) The 10th day celebrates the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasur. On this day the murtis of the goddess Durga are taken on a victorious procession. On this day, Bhagwan Ram returns to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile and destroying Ravan. Today is an auspicious day to commence any academic activities.
	October 10: Aso sud 15: Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami's Birthday, Sharad Punam (Click here to learn more) The night Bhagwan Krishna graced the Gopis of Vrundavan by playing the Maha Raas with them on the banks of the sacred Yamuna.
	October 22: Aso vad 11/12: Vagh Baras (Click here to learn more) Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature, are worshipped on this day.
	October 23: Aso vad 13: Dhan Teras (Click here to learn more) On this day, one's wealth is worshipped and prayers are offered to God for the wisdom to use one's wealth for noble and virtuous actions only.
	October 24: Aso vad 14: Kali Chaudash (Click here to learn more) Prayers are offered to protect one from the evil forces of life.
	October 25: Aso vad 30: Diwali/Lakshmi Pujan (Click here to learn more) Diwali symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil. The goddess of wealth, Laxmiji, is worshipped today to receive blessings for future prosperity.
	October 26: Kartik sud 1: Annakut and Bestu Varash (Click here to learn more) Offering of different varieties of food to the deities. The first day of the Hindu New Year.
	October 27: Kartik sud 2: Bhai Beej (Click here to learn more) The day on which brothers dine at their sister's house.
	October 29: Kartik sud 5: Labh Pancham (Click here to learn more) An auspicious day to commence any noble venture.
	November 4: Kartik sud 11: Prabodhini Ekadashi (Click here to learn more) The last day of Chaturmas, after which all extra spiritual observances undertaken over the previous four months may be relaxed.
	November 8: Kartik sud 15: Dev Diwali (Click here to learn more) Signifies the return of God after spending Chaturmas with King Bali. Today is a day to resolve to free oneself of base instincts.
	December 1: Magshar sud 8: Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th and present spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.