FestivalList 2012

Menu

Enlightening Essays

સત્સંગ લેખમાળા

Calendar & Festivals

Home > Calendar > FestivalList 2012

Annual Festival List, 2012 - Vikram Samvat 2068-2069

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec


January
	January 09: Posh Sud Punam (Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami Diksha Day, Poshi Punam) Celebrates the day Mul Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was initiated into the sadhu-fold by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.


	January 14: Posh Vad Pancham (Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan)) The day the sun begins to move northwards, heralding the gradual increase of daylight hours. It is a time to be charitable by giving grains, clothes and money.


	January 26: Maha Sud Trij (Republic Day) The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution.


	January 28: Maha Sud Pancham (Vasant Panchmi) Signifies the onset of spring. For the Swaminarayan Sampraday it holds a special significance, since, on this day Bhagwan Swaminarayan presented the 'Shikshapatri' in its final form. It is also the birthday of Brahmanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami and Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj (founder of the BAPS).


February
	February 20: Maha Vad Chaudas (Shivratri) This is a festival in honor of Lord Shiv whose marriage to Parvati took place on this day. People observe a fast on this day and stay awake throughout the night, praying to Lord Shiv


March
	March 07: Fagan Sud Chaudas (Holi, Bhagatji Maharaj's Birthday)


	March 08: Fagan Sud Punam (Dhuleti, Pushpadolotsav) Celebrates the protection of Prahlad from his father, the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. Prahlad was seated in a fire with his aunt, Holika. She perished in the fire, but Prahlad survived. In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, devotees celebrate the birthday of Bhagatji Maharaj, the second spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.


April
	April 01: Chaitra Sud Nom (Ramnavami) The birthday of Bhagwan Ram.


	April 01: Chaitra Sud Nom (Swaminarayan Jayanti) The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.


	April 05: Chaitra Sud Teras (Mahavir Jayanti) The birthday of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism.


	April 06: Chaitra Sud Punam (Hanuman Jayanti) The birthday of Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram.


	April 24: Vaishakh Sud Trij (Akhatrij) The day from which the murtis of the Lord are adorned with sandalwood paste for one month.


May
	May 04: Vaishakh Sud Teras (Nrusinh Jayanti) The birthday of Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu.


	May 06: Vaishakh Sud Punam ( Buddha Jayanti) The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism.


	May 17: Vaishakh Vad Baras (Yogi Jayanti) The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj,


June
	June 21: Ashadh Sud Bij (Rathyatra) Annual festival in which murtis of the Lord are paraded in decorated chariots around the city. A mammoth festival is held in Jagannathpuri.


	June 30: Ashadh Sud Ekadashi (Devpodhi Ekadashi) The first day of Chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional observances are undertaken.


July
	July 03: Ashadh Sud Punam (Guru Purnima) The day on which devotees honor their guru. They pay their respects and offer their gratitude for the spiritual guidance the guru gives.


August
	August 02: Shravan Sud Punam (Raksha Bandhan) Sisters tie an amulet (called rakhi or raksha) around the wrist of their brothers, and pray for their protection from surrounding evil.


	August 10: Shravan Vad Atham (Janmashtami) The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna.


	August 15: Shravan Vad Teras (Independence Day) The day on which India became an independent, democratic nation.


September
	September 17: Bhadarvo Sud Bij (Sam-Shravani) Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day.


	September 19: Bhadarvo Sud Choth (Ganesh Chaturthi) The birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiv and Shri Parvatiji.


	September 26: Bhadarvo Sud Ekadashi (Jal Jhilani Ekadashi) The midpoint of chaturmas. The Lord is taken for a boat ride.


	September 26: Bhadarvo Sud Ekadashi (Vaman Jayanti)


October
	October 16: Aso Sud Padvo (Start of Navratri) Festival of the nine nights. A period in which special prayers are offered to Shri Parvati, also called Goddess Durga. It celebrates her victory over the demon, Mahishasur.


	October 24: Aso Sud Dasham (Vijaya Dashmi) The 10th day celebrates the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. On this day the murtis of the goddess Durga are taken on a victorious procession. On this day, Bhagwan Ram returned to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile and destroying Ravan. Today is an auspicious day to commence any academic activities.


	October 29: Aso Sud Punam (Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami's Birthday, Sharad Punam) The birthday of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, the ideal devotee and first successor in the lineage of Gunatit Gurus established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The night Bhagwan Krishna graced the Gopis of Vrundavan by playing the Maha Raas with them on the banks of the sacred Yamuna.


November
	November 10: Aso Vad Ekadashi (Vagh Baras)


	November 11: Aso Vad Teras (Dhan Teras/Lakshmi Pujan) Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature, are worshipped on this day.


	November 12: Aso Vad Chaudash (Kali Chaudash) On this day, one's wealth is worshipped and prayers are offered to God for the wisdom to use one's wealth for noble and virtuous purposes only.


	November 13: Aso Vad Amas (Diwali) Prayers are offered to protect one from the evil forces of life


	November 14: Kartak Sud Padvo (Annakut and Bestu Varash) Offering of different varieties of food to the deities. The first day of the Hindu New Year.


	November 15: Kartak Sud Bij (Bhai Beej) The day on which brothers are invited to dine at their sister's house.


	November 18: Kartak Sud Pancham (Labh Pancham) An auspicious day to commence any noble venture.


	November 24: Kartak Sud Ekadashi (Prabodhini Ekadashi) The last day of Chaturmas, after which all extra spiritual observances undertaken over the previous four months may be relaxed.


	November 28: Kartak Sud Punam (Dev Diwali) Signifies the return of God after spending Chaturmas with King Bali. Today is a day to resolve to free oneself of base instincts.


December
	December 20: Magshar Sud Atham (Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Jayanti) The birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th and present spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Festival News

Shri Nilkanth Varni – Guru Parampara Murti-Pratishtha Celebrations

Mahesana, 27 Apr 2013
Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti - Mahila Celebration 2013

Virginia Beach, 25 Apr 2013
Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti - Mahila Celebration 2013

Westchester, 25 Apr 2013
Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti - Mahila Celebration 2013

Philadelphia, 25 Apr 2013
Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti - Mahila Celebration 2013

Knoxville, 25 Apr 2013
Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti - Mahila Celebration 2013

Jackson, 25 Apr 2013
Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti - Mahila Celebration 2013

Houston, 25 Apr 2013

More...

© 1999-2013 Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha), Swaminarayan Aksharpith | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Feedback |