During the monsoon season, Chaturmaas, particularly in the months of Ashadh and Shravan (which typically fall between July and August), Hindu mandirs around the world are filled with beautiful hindolas, or swings. For an entire month, the small murti of Bhagwan is placed in a hindola which is then gently pulled back and forth with a string. Sadhus and devotees lovingly sing bhajans which describe the hindola celebrations and the glory of Bhagwan. The celebration of this festival began 5,000 years ago, originating with Shri Krishna. BAPS mandirs around the world create different hindolas over the course of the month to offer their bhakti to God. Click here to view creative hindolas made at BAPS mandirs around the world.
Origin
This festival originated in Vrundavan, 5,000 years ago, when the gopis placed Shri Krishna on a magnificent hindola and lovingly swung him back and forth. From this day forward, devotees started celebrating the hindola festival and offered their devotion to Bhagwan.
In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, Bhaktaraj Joban Pagi invited Bhagwan Swaminarayan to Vadtal to celebrate this festival. Nishkulanand Swami constructed a hindola that swayed back and forth and revolved at the same time. The hindola had 12 different openings from which devotees could have darshan of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Sadguru Muktanand Swami wrote a bhajan describing the festivities: “Lage Vaikunth thi Roodoo Vadtal…”
Rituals:
Today, the hindola festival is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. Sadhus and devotees make creative designs and colorful hindolas offering their devotion to Bhagwan.