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January 9 : 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 14 : Posh Vad 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. |
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January 26 : Maha Sud 3 Republic Day
The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution. |
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January 28 : 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 20 : 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 7 : Fagan Sud 14 Holi, Bhagatji Maharaj's Birthday (Click here to learn more)
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March 8 : Fagan Sud 15 Dhuleti, Pushpadolotsav
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 9 : 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 1 : Chaitra Sud 9 Ramnavmi (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Ram. |
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April 1 : Chaitra Sud 9 Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. |
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April 5 : Chaitra Sud 13 Mahavir Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Mahavir,
founder of Jainism. |
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April 6 : Chaitra Sud 15 Hanuman Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of
Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram. |
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April 23 : 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 4 : 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 6 : Vaishakh Sud 15 Buddha Jayanti
The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. |
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May 17 : 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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May 25 : 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 21 : 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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June 30 : 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 3 : 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 2 : 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 10 : Shravan Vad 8 Janmashtami (Click here to learn more)
The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna. |
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August 15 : Shravan Vad 13 Independence Day
The day on which
India became an independent, democratic nation. |
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September 17 : Bhadarvo Sud 2 Sam-Shravani
Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins
change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day. |
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September 19 : 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 26 : 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 26 : Bhadarvo Sud 11 Vaman Jayanti (Click here to learn more)
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October 16 : 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 24 : 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 29 : 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 10 : Aso Vad 11 Vagh Baras (Click here to learn more)
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November 11 : Aso Vad 12 Dhan Teras/Lakshmi Pujan (Click here to learn more)
Cows, symbolizing Mother
Nature, are worshipped on this day. |
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November 12 : Aso Vad 13 Kali Chaudash (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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November 13 : Aso Vad 14 Diwali (Click here to learn more)
Prayers are offered
to protect one from the evil forces of life |
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November 14 : 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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November 15 : 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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November 18 : Kartak Sud 5 Labh Pancham (Click here to learn more)
An auspicious day to commence
any noble venture. |
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November 24 : 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 28 : 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 20 : 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. |
