Upcoming Events

Pramukh Swami Maharaj is an inspiration for countless people around the globe. During the course of his lifetime, he has personally counseled countless people, having read and replied to over half a million letters from individuals of all walks of life.  He inspired thousands to lead lives grounded in spiritually and selfless service.

The thirteenth anniversary (Patotsav) celebration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Jacksonville, FL will take place from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Mahapuja: 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Patotsav Sabha: 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired thousands through his deep spirituality, humility and dedication to service. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birthday will be celebrated in a special event by women for women on January 4, 2025.

Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan, celebrates the sun's northward journey ('Uttarayan'). It's a sacred period in Hinduism, emphasizing the act of donating ('Dan'). Devotees visit temples to offer grains, food, and monetary donations.

Vasant Panchmi has been a part of the Hindu festival calendar for thousands of years and is a special festival in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Nishkulanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami, two of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s paramhansas, were born on this day. Vasant Panchmi also marks the advent of the Shikshapatri and the birth of Shastriji Maharaj, the third spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the founder of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

Maha Shivratri is celebrated on Maha Vad 14, commemorating the day Shiva Bhagwan manifested as Shivaling, or cylindrical murti form. On this day, Hindus observe a fast all day and perform a special Shiva puja. Devotees offer bili leaves (aegle marmelos) and perform an abhishek of the Shivaling. Devotees are welcome to participate in Shiva puja.

4:30 pm - 7:30 pm - Murti Darshan
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Shivling Pujan
7:00 pm - Sandhya Aarti

Fuldol, or Pushpadolotsav, celebrated on Fagun Vad 1, the day after Holi, involves devotees placing Bhagwan's murti in a hindolo made of colorful flowers. The hindolo is gently swung, symbolizing a desire for God's presence and a life filled with vibrant devotion and colors.
Participants also engage in spraying colored expressing the joy and spirit of the festival while seeking God's blessings for a colorful and devoted life.

Join us as we celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagatji Maharaj, the second successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

This celebration honors the births of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, whose philosophy is the core of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Bhagwan Ram, whose life and ideals are the inspiration of the Ramayana. The teachings and messages of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s and Bhagwan Ram’s lives will be presented through spiritual discourses and a youth-led cultural program.

A women's cultural event celebrating Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram,
featuring spiritual talks, dances, and skits.

Yogi Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Guru Purnima (Vyas Purnima), is celebrated on Ashadh Sud Poonam, the day of the full moon in the month of Ashadh. On this day, Hindus remember Ved Vyas, the eternal guru of Hindu Sanatan Dharma, as he classified the 4 Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva) and wrote the Mahabharata and 18 Puranas. Guru, a Sanskrit word, comes from the root words ‘gu’ meaning darkness or ignorance, and ‘ru’ meaning remover of that darkness. A guru is one who removes our darkness in the form of ignorance, helps us overcome maya, and guides us on the path to realizing Bhagwan. Join us in offering guru bhakti, our devotion, and earnest prayers, to His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, with bhajans, video presentations and spiritual discourses by swamis and youth.

Janmashtami, the joyous festival marking the birth of Bhagwan Shri Krishna is celebrated with devotion and festivity. Join us for prayers, cultural performances, and traditional festivities on this auspicious occasion.

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. He lives a devout, humble and service-focused life. He leads by example and inspires people to progress on the spiritual path. His virtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his gurus are ideals towards which devotees strive.

Celebrating the birth anniversary of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the women of BAPS will organize a unique cultural program with the theme exploring the moments from their guru’s life that serve as teachable examples.

Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu lunar month Ashwin, and honors the significant role of the moon in Hinduism. It is the birth anniversary of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, the first successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and is a spiritually significant day for BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Join us in a celebration that includes special discourses and bhajans.

Dinner: 6:00 pm
Diwali Arti: 7:00 pm (Nij Mandir)
Chopda Pujan & Hanuman Pujan: 7:00 pm onwards (Sabha Hall)

Diwali – one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar will be celebrated with great devotion and splendor. On this day, business-owners close existing account books and open new ones in preparation for the year ahead. Devotees also take stock of their spiritual relationship with Bhagwan, and consider any progress or regress they have made in the year past.

The ceremony, known as Chopda Pujan, will take place in the evening. Hundreds of new account books – in a variety of paper and electronic forms – are sanctified through the showering of flowers petals and rice grains amid the chanting of Vedic hymns and prayers.

Join us for Hanuman Pujan

Annakut Thal: 11 am - 12 pm
Govardhan Pujan: 12 pm
Annakut Hourly Arti: 12 pm - 6 pm
Sandhya Arti: 6:30 pm
Shayona Cafe Foodstall: 12 pm - 8 pm

The day following Diwali is the beginning of the Hindu New Year. The Hindu New Year is traditionally celebrated with the Annakut – literally meaning, a mountain of food. Every year thousands of vegetarian delicacies are offered in devotional gratitude for the past year and to seek blessings for the New Year ahead.  The Annakut offering includes snacks, sweets, pickles, spicy dishes, salads, fruit drinks and other items devotionally prepared by devotees.

We cordially invite you for darshan of the Annakut with family and friends.

At the start of the Hindu New Year, devotees arrive at mandir for early morning darshan of the beautifully adorned sacred images and to take part in the New Year's first arti.

At the BAPS Kids’s Diwali Celebration, the traditional rituals are combined with patient explanations and hands-on learning to engage a younger audience. Children participate in events ranging games to making small oil lamps which symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.