Annual Festival List, 2011 - Vikram Samvat 2067-2068
January 14 : Posh Sud Nom
(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 19 : Posh Sud Punam
(Aksharbrahma Swami Diksha Day, Poshi Punam)
Celebrates the day Mul Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was initiated into the sadhu-fold by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
January 26 : Posh Vad Atham
(Republic Day)
The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.
February 08 : 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).
March 02 : Maha Vad Teras
(Shivratri)
March 19 : Fagan Sud Punam
( Holi, Bhagatji Maharaj's Birthday q)
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 20 : Fagan Vad Padvo
(Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav)
This is a spring festival, in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water.
April 12 : Chaitra Sud Nom
(Ramnavmi)
The birthday of Bhagwan Ram.
April 12 : Chaitra Sud Nom
(Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday))
The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
April 16 : Chaitra Sud Teras
(Mahavir Jayanti)
The birthday of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism.
April 18 : Chaitra Sud Punam
(Hanuman Jayanti)
The birthday of Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram.
May 05 : Vaishakh Sud Bij
(Akhatrij)
The day from which the murtis of the Lord are adorned with sandalwood paste for one month.
May 15 : Vaishakh Sud Teras
(Nrusinh Jayanti)
The birthday of Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu.
May 17 : Vaishakh Sud Punam
( Buddha Jayanti)
The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
May 29 : Vaishakh Vad Baras
(Yogi Jayanti)
The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
June 05 : 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 12 : Jeth Sud Ekadashi
()
July 03 : 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 11 : Ashadh Sud Ekadashi
(Devpodhi Ekadashi)
The first day of Chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional observances are undertaken.
July 15 : 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 13 : 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.
August 15 : Shravan Vad Bij
(Independence Day)
The day on which India became an independent, democratic nation.
August 22 : Shravan Vad Atham
(Janmashtami)
The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna.
August 31 : Bhadarvo Sud Trij
(Sam Shravni)
September 01 : Bhadarvo Sud Choth
(Ganesh Chaturthi)
The birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiv and Shri Parvatiji.
September 08 : Bhadarvo Sud Ekadashi
(Jal Jhilani Ekadashi)
The midpoint of chaturmas. The Lord is taken for a boat ride.
September 08 : Bhadarvo Sud Ekadashi
(Vaman Jayanti)
September 28 : 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 06 : 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 11 : 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.
October 23 : Aso Vad Ekadashi
(Vagh Baras)
October 24 : Aso Vad Baras
(Dhan Trayodashi)
October 25 : Aso Vad Teras
(Kali Caudash)
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.
October 26 : Aso Vad Amas
(Diwali)
Diwali symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil. The goddess of wealth, Lakshmiji, is worshipped on this day to receive blessings for future prosperity.
October 27 : Kartak Sud Padvo
(Annakut and Bestu Varash)
Offering of different varieties of food to the deities. The first day of the Hindu New Year.
October 28 : Kartak Sud Bij
(Bhai Beej)
The day on which brothers are invited to dine at their sister's house.
October 31 : Kartak Sud Pancham
(Labh Pancham)
An auspicious day to commence any noble venture.
November 06 : 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 10 : 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 02 : Magshar Sud Atham
(Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Jayanti)
The birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th and present spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.