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January 14 : Posh Sud 9 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 19 : 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. |
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January 26 : Posh Vad 8 Republic Day
The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution. |
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February 8 : 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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March 3 : 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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March 19 : 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 20 : Fagan Vad 1 Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav
This is a spring festival,
in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water. |
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April 12 : Chaitra Sud 9 Ramnavmi (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Ram. |
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April 12 : Chaitra Sud 9 Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
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April 16 : Chaitra Sud 13 Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Mahavir,
founder of Jainism. |
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April 18 : Chaitra Sud 15 Hanuman Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of
Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram. |
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May 5 : Vaishakh Sud 2 Akhatrij (Click here to learn more)
The day from which
the murtis of the Lord are adorned with sandalwood paste for one
month. |
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May 15 : 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 17 : Vaishakh Sud 15 Buddha Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. |
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May 29 : 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 5 : 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 12 : Jeth Sud 11
Bhim Ekadashi |
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July 3 : 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 11 : 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 15 : 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 13 : 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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August 15 : Shravan Vad 2 Independence Day
The day on which
India became an independent, democratic nation. |
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August 22 : Shravan Vad 8 Janmashtami (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna. |
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August 30 : Bhadarvo Sud 2 Sam-Shravani
Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins
change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day. |
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September 1 : 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 8 : Bhadarvo Sud 11 Jal Jhilani Ekadashi (Click here to learn more)
The midpoint of
chaturmas. The Lord is taken for a boat ride. |
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September 8 : Bhadarvo Sud 11 Vaman Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
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September 28 : 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 6 : 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 11 : 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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October 12 : 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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October 24 : Aso Vad 12 Vagh Baras (Click here to learn more)
Cows, symbolizing Mother
Nature, are worshipped on this day. |
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October 25 : 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. |
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October 26 : 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. |
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October 27 : 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. |
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October 28 : Kartak Sud 2 Bhai Beej (Click here to learn more)
The day on which brothers are
invited to dine at their sister's house. |
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October 31 : Kartak Sud 5 Labh Pancham (Click here to learn more)
An auspicious day to commence
any noble venture. |
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November 6 : 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 10 : 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 2 : 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. |
