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January 14 : Posh Vad 14 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. |
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January 20 : 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). |
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January 26 : Maha Sud 11 Republic Day
The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution. |
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February 12 : 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 |
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February 28 : 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. |
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March 1 : Fagan Vad 1 Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav (Click here to learn more)
This is a spring festival,
in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water. |
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March 24 : Chaitra Sud 9 Ramnavmi (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Ram. |
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March 24 : Chaitra Sud 9 Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
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March 28 : Chaitra Sud 13 Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Mahavir,
founder of Jainism. |
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March 30 : Chaitra Sud 15 Hanuman Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of
Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram. |
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May 16 : Vaishakh Sud 3 Akha Trij
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May 26 : Vaishakh Sud 13 Nrusinh Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of
Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. |
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May 27 : Vaishakh Sud 15 Buddha Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. |
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June 9 : Vaishakh Vad 12 Yogi Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj,
the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
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June 16 : 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. |
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June 22 : Jeth Sud 11
Bhim Ekadashi |
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July 13 : 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. |
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July 21 : Ashadh Sud 11 Devpodhi Ekadashi
The first day of
Chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional
observances are undertaken. |
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July 25 : 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. |
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August 15 : Shravan Sud 6 Independence Day
The day on which
India became an independent, democratic nation. |
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August 24 : 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. |
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September 2 : Shravan Vad 8 Janmashtami (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna. |
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September 10 : Bhadarvo Sud 3 Sam-Shravani
Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins
change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day. |
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September 11 : Bhadarvo Sud 4 Ganesh Chaturthi (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Lord Ganesh,
son of Lord Shiv and Shri Parvatiji. |
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September 19 : Bhadarvo Sud 11 Jal Jhilani Ekadashi (Click here to learn more)
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September 19 : Bhadarvo Sud 11 Vaman Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
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October 8 : 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. |
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October 17 : 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. |
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October 22 : 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. |
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November 3 : Aso Vad 12 Vagh Baras (Click here to learn more)
Cows, symbolizing Mother
Nature, are worshipped on this day. |
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November 3 : Aso Vad 12 Dhan Teras/Lakshmi Pujan (Click here to learn more)
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November 4 : Aso Vad 13 Kali Chaudash (Click here to learn more)
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November 5 : Aso Vad 14 Diwali (Click here to learn more)
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November 6 : Aso Vad 15 Annakut (Click here to learn more)
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November 10 : Kartak Sud 5 Labh Pancham (Click here to learn more)
An auspicious day to commence
any noble venture. |
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November 17 : 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. |
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November 21 : 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. |
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December 13 : 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. |
