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Annual
Festivals 2006
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January
14: Posh
sud 5:
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. |
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January
14: 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: Maha
sud 5: Republic Day The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution. |
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February
2: 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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February
26: Maha
vad 13: 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
14: 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 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
15: Falgun
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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April
6: Chaitra
sud 9: Ramnavmi
(Click
here to learn
more) The birthday of Bhagwan Ram. |
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April
6: Chaitra
sud 9:
Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click
here to learn
more) The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
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April
11: Chaitra
sud 13: Mahavir
Jayanti The birthday of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism. |
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April
13: Chaitra
sud 15: Hanuman
Jayanti (Click
here to
learn more) The birthday of Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram. |
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May
30:
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. |
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May
11: Vaishakh
sud 14: Nrusinh Jayanti (Click
here to
learn more) The birthday of Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. |
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May
13: Vaishakh
sud 15: Buddha Jayanti The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. |
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May
24:
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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May31:
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 7: Jeth sud 11: Bhim Ekadashi |
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June
27: 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
7 : 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
11 : 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
9: 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 sud
10: Independence Day The day on which India became an independent, democratic nation. |
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August
16: Shravan
vad 8: Janmashtami
(Click here
to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna. |
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August
27: Bhadarvo
sud 3: Sam-Shravani Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day. |
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August
27: 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
4: 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 4: Bhadarvo sud 12: Vaman Jayanti ( Click here to learn more ) |
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September
23:
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
2:
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
7: 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
18:
Aso
vad 12: Vagh Baras
(Click here
to learn more) Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature, are worshipped on this day. |
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October
19 :
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
20: Aso
vad 14: Kali Chaudash
(Click here
to learn more) Prayers are offered to protect one from the evil forces of life. |
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October
21: Aso
vad 14: 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
22/23 : Aso
vad 30/1: 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
24:
Kartik
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
27 :
Kartik sud 5: Labh Pancham
(Click here
to learn more) An auspicious day to commence any noble venture. |
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November
2: 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. |
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November
5: Kartik
sud 14/15: 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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Novembre
28: 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. |
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