Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami occurs on Maha Sud 5 and marks the beginning of spring. Since this festival celebrates the rejuvenation of nature after winter’s dormancy, there is no scriptural reference for this festival. However, Vasant Panchami 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 Panchami 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. In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, devotees gather 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.