Upcoming Events

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.

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.

Also 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.

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.

We celebrate the birthday of Yogiji Maharaj, a Guru who was an ocean of compassion and passionate about bhakti. An epitome of tolerance and love, Yogiji Maharaj expanded BAPS across borders and peoples as his magnetic personality won the hearts of everyone who met him.

Every year, BAPS Charities organizes Walkathons throughout North America. BAPS Charities Walkathon in Washington, DC is an event to raise funds for charitable activities organized by BAPS Charities.

Guru Purnima is a special day for devotees to honor their guru and the importance of a guru in their lives. A guru leads one from the darkness of maya to the light of wisdom and understanding. Join us in offering guru bhakti, our devotion, and earnest prayers, to 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.

The Mandir's anniversary (Patotsav) celebration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Washington, DC will take place at 4:30 pm on Sunday, September 8, 2024 in the presence of Pujya Gnaneshwardas Swãmi.

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 in His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s birthday celebration on September 14, 2025 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

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.