Upcoming Events

Makar Sankranti, the Festival of Kites, is popularly known as Uttarayan. Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, ‘uttar’ meaning north and ‘ayan’ meaning movement towards. Uttarayan occurs on Posh Vad Pancham and celebrates the sun’s northward movement. Since the northern direction is considered sacred, the time span in which the sun moves from one zodiac to another is considered auspicious. Dan, or the act of donating, is given great importance on this day. Hindus go to mandir and donate grains, other food items, money for punya.

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. To celebrate, devotees  to sing bhajans written by Brahmanand Swami and Nishkulanand Swami, to listen to discourses on the Shikshapatri, and to celebrate the life and work of Shastriji Maharaj.

Join us as we celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagatji Maharaj, the second successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. We are also celebrating Fuldol or Pushpadolotsav on the arrival of spring. Traditionally a murti of Bhagwan is placed on a swing beautifully decorated with flowers. Devotees both serve and offer their sincere devotion to Bhagwan by gently setting the swing in motion, experiencing His darshan in this unique way. The changing season, new blooms, and vibrant colors of spring are celebrated by Hindus across the world.

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.

Celebrating the birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram, the women of BAPS will organize a cultural program featuring kirtans, spiritual discourses, traditional dances and dramas depicting the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram.

Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, was born in Dhari in 1892. He seemed like a simple sadhu but his inner simplicity was vast. His faith and spirituality led the philosophy of Akshar Purushottam beyond India, to various corners of the globe. Yogiji Maharaj is the visionary, inspirer, and initiator of the organization’s weekly children and youth activities. His positive attitude and engaging smile transformed the hearts of thousands of people. Please join the celebration of Yogiji Maharaj Janma Jayanti.

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.

The month of Shravan in the Hindu calendar is considered among the holiest of the year. It brings many different festivals, one of the most significant is known as Janmashtami, or the birth of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. Please join us to celebrate Janmashtami.

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. Join us to celebrate His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s Janma Jayanti.

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.

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.
 

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 women of BAPS has organized a unique cultural program to celebrate Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life, legacy, and teachings.