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Fuldol, also known as Pushpadolotsav, is celebrated on Fagun Vad 1, the day after Holi. Pushpa means flower; hence, this is the festival of flowers and colors. On this day, devotees place the murti of Bhagwan in a hindolo made of colorful flowers, which is then gently swung by devotees. People also spray colored water and toss gulal powder on each other. The sentiment behind the festival is to ask God to color one’s life with bhakti and to symbolically bring God closer to one’s heart by continuously striving to offer bhakti. In the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Pramukh Swami Maharaj usually celebrates Fuldol every year in Sarangpur, Gujarat, where tens of thousands of devotees gather to be sprayed by the pichkari in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s hands. At BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs around the world, a pichkari is placed in Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s right hand, from which colored water is sprayed on devotees.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 epic poem Ramayana. The teachings and messages of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s and Bhagwan Ram’s lives will be presented through spiritual discourses and a cultural program.

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.

Guru Purnima, also known as 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, for 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. Hence, 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. On Guru Purnima, devotees sing praises of their Guru and perform Guru-puja.

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.  Shri Krishna, one of the 24 incarnations of Vishnu, was born over 5,000 years ago on Shravan Vad 8. Shri Krishna incarnated on this Earth to kill the evil Kansa and give the discourses of the Gita to Arjun. On this day, devotees observe nirjala, a waterless fast, and remember the life and message of Shri Krishna. At midnight, the hour at which Shri Krishna was born, devotees perform aarti. Then, a child murti of Shri Krishna is placed in a swing and devotees sing bhajans. In the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Saskatoon, devotees come together and recall Shri Krishna’s lila and the invaluable life lessons he taught.

Mahant Swami Maharaj 93st Janma Jayanti

Mahant Swami Maharaj, the 6th spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and current leader of BAPS, was born on September 13, 1933 (Bhadarva vad 9, Samvat 1989) in Jabalpur, India.