Festivals

Celebrated by performing Govardhan pujan, where devotees make food offerings to the Lord.

Takes place on the second day of the new year, where a woman invite’s her brother to have a meal and in return the brother boons her that in any kind of trouble, I shall protect you and your family.

A period of four months namely Ashadh, Shravan, Bhadarvo and Aaso (monsoon period). It starts on Devshayani Ekadashi in the month of Ashadh and ends on Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik. The significance of Chaturmaas is to observe extra penance, engage in extra devotion and control over sense gratification.

ASO VAD 13 - First day of week long Diwali Celebrations

This designation is given to a period of one month from when the sun enters the Dhanur rashi (Sagitarius) till the 14th of January. Great glory is attached to serving food to Brahmins and devotees during this month.

ASO VAD 15 - A festival of inner enlightenment. On this day, Shree Rama returned from Lanka after victory over Ravana.

Ekadashi occurs on the 11th day of each period (twice a month). Ekadashi mean 11 (Ek meaning 1 and dash meaning 10 therefore 11). It is tradition in Hindu religion to observe fast on this day and is considered a holy day.

On this day, Ganapati appeared. He is venerated Sindoor, Bilvapatra and Sweet balls (Churma na Ladoo). Such veneration destroys all our problems (Vigna). One should not look at the moon on this day as this is undoubtedly considered inauspicious.

Gita Jayanti is celebrated on Magshar Sud Ekadashi. Five millenuims ago, during the epic war of Mahabharat, Arjun became reluctant to fight against his great-grandfather (Bheesmapita), teacher (Dronacharya) and other warriors.

Guru Purnima means paying homage to dedicated Guru (Spiritual master) and to honor win. It falls on the full moon day in the month of Aashada (July - August).

Chaitra Sud 15 (Poonam) is the day Ram Bhakt (Devotee) Hanuman was born, hence this day is known as Hanuman Jayanti.

Hindola Utsav - Swing Festival - Celebrated with great love, devotion and festivity in Temples for one whole month between Ashadh and Shravan during Chaturmaas. The chal (mobile) Murti of the HariKrishna Maharaj is placed in a decorated swami (Hindolo) and swayed to and fro in divine devotion.

The festival of colour. Celebrated with the playing of coloured powder.

Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. He was born at midnight stroke on a dark, rainy night to Devaki and Vasudev who had been imprisoned by Devaki’s brother Kansa. It had been foretold that the eighth son of Devaki would kill the evil king Kansa.

ASO VAD 14 - 2nd day of the week long Diwali festivals. Hanuman is offered worship

In this incarnation, the Lord Vishnu manifested as a tortoise. The sage out of respect presented a garland of flowers to Indra who carelessly ignored his humbleness. Indra's elephant trampeled the garland, hence the sage in rage cursed Indra to loose all his wealth in to ocean.

Makar Sankranti is also known as Utrayan. On this day one should try and control the Antashatrus as in keep control of lust, anger, greed etc. On this day people make mithay (sweets), feed grass to cows and carry out many good deeds.

In this incarnation, the Lord Vishnu manifested as a fish.

It is celebrated on Faagan Sud Trij. This day marks the birth of the King of Bharatkhand, Shree Nar Narayan Rushi. On this day, all the Devtas and Tridevs swung Shree Nar Narayan Dev on a swing made up of flowers, hence the name Fuldol Utsav. We carry out the celebration in the same way, by residing Nar Narayan Rushi on a Hindolo made out of flowers.

Navratri Festival is celebrated between Aaso Sud 1 and Aso Sud 9. Goddess Saraswati, Laxmi and Parvati are worshiped.

Vaisakh Sud Chaudash marks the appearance Lord Nrusinh. Whosoever performs the austerities of this day is liberated of all sins.

Celebrated on Vaisakh Sud Trij, on this day, one shall bathe in a tirthdhaam (pilgrimage), perform Pooja and observe Bhramcharya. Parshuram Bhagwan appeared on this day. Parshuram means the bearer of an axe.

Raksha Bandhan celebration, started tens of thousands of years ago. Bhavishya Puran cites a story that the devas once battled with the danavas (demons) for twelve years.

On the day of Chaitra Sud Navmi, Samvat 1837, at 10.10pm, all the planets were at its usual positions and Vasant season was ongoing. It is in this circumstances that Almight Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan was born to Bhaktidevi and Dharmapita inoder to uproot unrighteousness and establish Ekantik Dharma for the benefit of millions and millions of souls.

Rath Yatra is a celebration where Lord Jagannath is seated in a divine chariot (Rath) and taken through the city of Jagannath Puri. As the chariot is pulled along, everyone chants the name of the Lord whilst gracefully dancing. It is traditional for devotees to bring offerings to the Lord and to gather after the procession to perform a Poojan in the company of learned Saints and Brahmins.

Shreeji Maharaj first did a Saak utsav in the Village of Loya, in the month of Magshar/Posh 1877. There were no other festivals - Utsav during this month so Sura Khachar requested Lord Swaminarayan to introduce a festival that all devotees could celebrate together.

Mother Saraswati is dressed in white garments which gives us the impression of pureness. A teacher is considered a devotee of Saraswati Maa and therefore he/she should be pure in his mind, words and actions. Maa holds a book on her left hand, meaning knowledge and a rosary (mala) on her right hand which denotes bhakti. A teacher should be pure so that his/her students learn accordingly.

Sharad Poonam is the day when the moon is the closest to the earth in the year. It is the day when people celebrate during the night by singing devotional songs with musical instruments. Celebrations take place in the form on Garba and Raas Utsav.Dudh Pawa (rice in thick milk) is served to all on this special day.

Shivaratri falls on the fourteenth day of dark half of every month but this day in Maha is The Great Night of Shiva and is dedicated to his worship.

Shravan is the holiest month of the year for Hindus. All Hindu followers around the world observe this month with great relevance. Each day of the month has its own significant value.

Whenever the Lord descends, He is invariably accompanied by His loving associates. Shree Radha Ashtmi is celebrated during the 8th day of the bright half month of Bhadrapada.(Bharapada Sud 8)

This day marks the marriage of Bhagwan with Tulsiji. The daughter of Kushdhvaj, Vrinda was married the son of ocean, Jaalandhar. Vrinda was very beautiful, virtuous wife (pativrata).

On Bhadarwa Sudi Baaras, Vaaman Bhagwan was born to Mother Aditi, hence Vaaman Jayanti. Vaaman was born specifically to get the three kingdoms (Swarglok, Pruthvilok and Patal Lok) back from Raja Bali, the grandson of Prahlad.

The Vachanamrut is the nectar of all spiritual & philosophical knowledge narrated by Lord Swaminarayan Bhagwan. It has been compiled by His five contemporary scholarly-sadhus who were known for their asceticism and scholarship in Sanskrit.

It falls on Maha Sud Panchmi. The season of Vasant is considered the best from all aspects and Lord Shree Krishna proclaims the season of Vasant to be Himself. On this day worshipped is offered to Shikshapatri.