Festivals-Annual Festivals of 2002

Annual Festivals 2002

	January 14: Posh vad 1: Makar Sankranti (Uttarayana) (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.
	January 26: Maha sud 12: Republic Day The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.
	January 28: Posh sud 14/15: Gunatit Swami Diksha Day, Posh Punam (Click here to learn more) Celebrates the day Mul Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was initiated into the sadhu-fold by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	February 17: Maha sud 5: Vasant Panchami: (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 Swaminarayan Sanstha).
	March 12: Maha vad 14: Shivaratri: (Click here to learn more) This is a festival in honor of Shiva, whose marriage to Parvati took place on this day. People observe a fast on this day and stay awake throughout the night, praying to Shiva.
	March 28: 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.
	March 29: Fagun 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.
	April 21: Chaitra sud 9: Ramnavmi (Click here to learn more) The birthdays of Lord Rama.
	April 21: Chaitra sud 9: Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click here to learn more) The birthdays of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	April 25: Chaitra sud 13: Mahavir Jayanti The birthday of Mahavir, founder of Jainism.
	April 27: Chaitra sud 15: Hanuman Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Hanuman, devotee of Shri Rama.
	May 15: Vaishakh sud 3: Akhatrij The day from which the murtis of God are adorned with sandalwood paste for one month.
	May 25 : Vaisakh sud 14: Nrusinh Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Nrusinh, who defeated the demon-king Hiranyakashipu.
	May 26 : Vaisakh sud 15: Buddha Jayanti The birthday of Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
	June 7: Vaishakh vad 12: Yogi Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
	June 14: Jeth sud 4: Pramukh Varni Din (Click here to learn more) The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.
	July 12 : Ashadh vad 2: Rathyatra (Click here to learn more) Annual festival in which the murtis of God are paraded in decorated chariots around the city.
	July 20: Ashadh sud 11: Devpodhi Ekadashi The first day of chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional observances are undertaken.
	July 24 : 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 8: Independence Day The day on which India became a democratic, independent nation.
	August 22: 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 31: Shravan vad 8: Janmashtami (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Shri Krishna.
	September 9: Bhadarvo sud 3: Sam-Shravani Sadhus and samvedi Brahmins change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day.
	September 10: Bhadarvo sud 4: Ganesh Chaturthi (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Shiva and Parvatiji.
	September 15: Bhadarvo sud 9: Shri Hari Navmi ( Click here to learn more )
	September 17: Bhadarvo sud 11: Jal Zilani Ekadashi (Click here to learn more) The midpoint of chaturmas. The Lord is taken for a boat ride.
	September 18: Bhadarvo sud 12: Vaman Jayanti ( Click here to learn more )
	October 7: Aso sud 1: Start of Navaratri (Click here to learn more) Festival of the nine nights. A period in which special prayers are offered to Parvati, also called Goddess Durga. It celebrates her victory over the demon, Mahishasur.
	October 15: Aso sud 10: Vijaya Dashmi (Click here to learn more) The 10th day, on which murtis of the Goddess Durga are taken on a victorious procession. Today is an auspicious day to commence any academic activities.
	October 21: Aso sud 15: Birthday of Gunatitanand Swami, Sharad Punam (Click here to learn more)
	November 1: Aso vad 11: Vagh Baras (Click here to learn more) Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature, are worshipped on this day.
	November 2: Aso vad 12/13: Dhan Teras (Click here to learn more) On this day, one's wealth is worshipped and prayers are offered to the Lord for the wisdom to use one's wealth for noble and virtuons actions only.
	November 3: Aso vad 13/14: Kali Chaudash (Click here to learn more) The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.
	November 4: Aso vad 30: Diwali/Lakshmi Pujan (Click here to learn more)
	November 5: Kartak sud 1: Annakut (Click here to learn more)
	November 6: Kartik sud 2: Bhai Beej (Click here to learn more)
	November 9: Kartik sud 5: Labh Pancham (Click here to learn more)
	November 15: 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.
	November 19: Karti sud 15: Dev Diwali (Click here to learn more) Signifies return of the Lord after spending Chaturmas with King Bali. Today is a day to resolve to free oneself of base instincts.
	December 12: Magshar sud 8: Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Jayanti The birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th and present spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan.