Annual Festival List, 2010 - Vikram Samvat 2066-2067
January 14 : Posh Vad Chaudas
(Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan))
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.
January 20 : Maha Sud Pancham
(Vasant Panchmi)
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).
January 26 : Maha Sud Ekadashi
(Republic Day)
The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.
February 12 : Maha Vad Chaudas
(Shivratri)
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
February 28 : Fagan Sud Punam
( Holi, Bhagatji Maharaj's Birthday)
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 01 : Fagan Vad Padvo
(Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav)
This is a spring festival, in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water.
March 24 : Chaitra Sud Nom
(Ramnavmi)
The birthday of Bhagwan Ram.
March 24 : Chaitra Sud Nom
(Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday))
The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
March 28 : Chaitra Sud Teras
(Mahavir Jayanti)
The birthday of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism.
March 30 : Chaitra Sud Punam
(Hanuman Jayanti)
The birthday of Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram.
May 16 : Vaishakh Sud Trij
(Akha Trij)
May 26 : Vaishakh Sud Teras
(Nrusinh Jayanti)
The birthday of Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu.
May 27 : Vaishakh Sud Punam
( Buddha Jayanti)
The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
June 09 : Vaishakh Vad Baras
(Yogi Jayanti)
The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
June 16 : Jeth Sud Choth
(Pramukh Varani Din)
The day Pramukh Swami Maharaj, as a young 28-year-old, was appointed as the administrative president of BAPS by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj.
June 22 : Jeth Sud Ekadashi
()
July 13 : Ashadh Sud Bij
(Rathyatra)
Annual festival in which murtis of the Lord are paraded in decorated chariots around the city. A mammoth festival is held in Jagannathpuri.
July 21 : Ashadh Sud Ekadashi
(Devpodhi Ekadashi)
The first day of Chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional observances are undertaken.
July 25 : Ashadh Sud Punam
(Guru Purnima)
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 Chhath
(Independence Day)
The day on which India became an independent, democratic nation.
August 24 : Shravan Sud Punam
(Raksha Bandhan)
Sisters tie an amulet (called rakhi or raksha) around the wrist of their brothers, and pray for their protection from surrounding evil.
September 02 : Shravan Vad Atham
(Janmashtami)
The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna.
September 10 : Bhadarvo Sud Trij
(Sam-Shravani)
Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day.
September 11 : Bhadarvo Sud Choth
(Ganesh Chaturthi)
The birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiv and Shri Parvatiji.
September 19 : Bhadarvo Sud Ekadashi
(Jal Jhilani Ekadashi)
September 19 : Bhadarvo Sud Ekadashi
(Vaman Jayanti)
October 08 : Aso Sud Padvo
(Start of Navratri)
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.
October 17 : Aso Sud Dasham
(Vijaya Dashmi)
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.
October 22 : Aso Sud Punam
(Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami's Birthday, Sharad Punam)
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.
November 03 : Aso Vad Baras
(Vagh Baras)
Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature, are worshipped on this day.
November 03 : Aso Vad Baras
(Dhan Teras/Lakshmi Pujan)
November 04 : Aso Vad Teras
(Kali Chaudash)
November 05 : Aso Vad Chaudas
(Diwali)
November 06 : Aso Vad Amas
(Annakut)
November 10 : Kartak Sud Pancham
(Labh Pancham)
An auspicious day to commence any noble venture.
November 17 : Kartak Sud Ekadashi
(Prabodhini Ekadashi)
The last day of Chaturmas, after which all extra spiritual observances undertaken over the previous four months may be relaxed.
November 21 : Kartak Sud Punam
(Dev Diwali)
Signifies the return of God after spending Chaturmas with King Bali. Today is a day to resolve to free oneself of base instincts.
December 13 : Magshar Sud Atham
(Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Jayanti)
The birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th and present spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.