| |
January 14 : Posh
Sud 6 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. |
| |
January 22 : 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 4 Republic Day
The day the independent
nation of India adopted its constitution. |
| |
February 11 : Maha
Sud 5 Vasant Panchmi (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 6 : Maha Vad
14 Shivratri (Click
here to learn
more)
This is a festival in honor
of Lord Shiv 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 Shiv |
| |
March 21 : Fagan 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 aunt, 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 22 : Fagan Vad
1 Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav
This is a spring festival,
in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water. |
| |
April 14 : Chaitra
Sud 9 Ramnavmi (Click
here to learn
more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Ram. |
| |
April 14 : Chaitra
Sud 9 Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's
birthday) (Click
here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
| |
April 18 : Chaitra
Sud 13 Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of Lord
Mahavir, founder of Jainism. |
| |
April 20 : Chaitra
Sud 15 Hanuman Jayanti (Click
here to
learn more)
The birthday of Hanumanji,
devotee of Bhagwan Ram. |
| |
May 7 : 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 18 : Vaishakh
Sud 13 Nrusinh Jayanti (Click
here to
learn more)
The birthday of Lord Nrusinh,
conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. |
| |
May 19 : Vaishakh
Sud 15 Buddha Jayanti
The birthday of Lord
Buddha, founder of Buddhism. |
| |
June 1 : Vaishakh
Vad 12 Yogi Jayanti (Click
here to learn
more)
The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj,
the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
| |
June 7 : 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 14 : Jeth Sud
11
Bhim Ekadashi |
| |
July 4 : 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 14 : Ashadh Sud
12 Devpodhi Ekadashi
|
| |
July 18 : 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 15 : Shravan
Sud 14 Independence Day
The day on which India
became an independent, democratic nation. |
| |
August 16 : 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 24 : Shravan
Vad 8 Janmashtami (Click
here to learn
more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna. |
| |
September 1 : Bhadarvo
Sud 2 Sam-Shravani
Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins
change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day. |
| |
September 3 : Bhadarvo
Sud 4 Ganesh Chaturthi (Click
here
to learn more)
The birthday of Lord Ganesh,
son of Lord Shiv and Shri Parvatiji. |
| |
September 11 : Bhadarvo
Sud 11 Jal Jhilani Ekadashi (Click
here to learn
more)
The midpoint of chaturmas.
The Lord is taken for a boat ride. |
| |
September 12 : Bhadarvo
Sud 11 Vaman Jayanti (Click
here to
learn more)
|
| |
September 30 : 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 9 : Aso Sud
10 Vijaya Dashmi (Click
here to
learn more)
The 10th day celebrates the
victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. On this day
the murtis of the goddess Durga are taken on a victorious procession.
On this day, Bhagwan Ram returned to Ayodhya after spending 14
years in exile and destroying Ravan. Today is an auspicious day
to commence any academic activities. |
| |
October 14 : Aso Sud
15 Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami's
Birthday, Sharad Punam (Click
here to learn more)
The birthday of Aksharbrahma
Gunatitanand Swami, the ideal devotee and first successor in the
lineage of Gunatit Gurus established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
The night Bhagwan Krishna graced the Gopis of Vrundavan by playing
the Maha Raas with them on the banks of the sacred Yamuna. |
| |
October 25 : Aso Vad
12 Vagh Baras (Click
here
to learn more)
Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature,
are worshipped on this day. |
| |
October 26 : Aso Vad
13 Dhan Teras/Lakshmi Pujan
(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 purposes only. |
| |
October 27 : Aso Vad
14 Kali Chaudash (Click
here
to learn more)
Prayers are offered to protect
one from the evil forces of life |
| |
October 28 : Aso Vad
15 Diwali (Click
here to learn
more)
Diwali symbolizes the victory
of Good over Evil. The goddess of wealth, Lakshmiji, is worshipped
on this day to receive blessings for future prosperity. |
| |
October 29 : Kartak
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 30 : Kartak
Sud 2 Bhai Beej (Click
here to learn
more)
The day on which brothers are
invited to dine at their sister's house. |
| |
November 3 : Kartak
Sud 5 Labh Pancham (Click
here
to learn more)
An auspicious day to commence
any noble venture. |
| |
November 9 : Kartak
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 13 : Kartak
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 6 : 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. |
