Annual Festivals 2006 January 14: Posh sud 5: Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan) (Click here to learn more) 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. It is also the time when kites are flown. January 14: Posh sud 15: Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami Diksha Day, Poshi Punam (Click here to learn more) Celebrates the day Mul Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was initiated into the sadhu-fold by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. January 26: Maha sud 5: Republic Day The day the independent nation of India adopted its constitution. February 2: Maha sud 5: Vasant Panchmi (Click here to learn more) 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 26: Maha vad 13: Shivratri (Click here to learn more) 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 14: Falgun sud 15: Holi, Bhagatji Maharaj's Birthday (Click here to learn more) 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. March 15: Falgun vad 1: Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav (Click here to learn more) This is a spring festival, in which people rejoice by spraying each other with colored water. April 6: Chaitra sud 9: Ramnavmi (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Ram. April 6: Chaitra sud 9: Hari-Nom (Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday) (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. April 11: Chaitra sud 13: Mahavir Jayanti The birthday of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism. April 13: Chaitra sud 15: Hanuman Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Hanumanji, devotee of Bhagwan Ram. May 30: Vaishakh sud 3: Akhatrij (Click here to learn more) The day from which the murtis of the Lord are adorned with sandalwood paste for one month. May 11: Vaishakh sud 14: Nrusinh Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Lord Nrusinh, conquerer of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu. May 13: Vaishakh sud 15: Buddha Jayanti The birthday of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism. May 24: Vaishakh vad 12: Yogi Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. May31: Jeth sud 4: Pramukh Varani Din (Click here to learn more) The day Pramukh Swami Maharaj, as a young 28-year-old, was appointed as the administrative president of BAPS by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj. June 7: Jeth sud 11: Bhim Ekadashi June 27: Ashadh sud 2: Rathyatra (Click here to learn more) Annual festival in which murtis of the Lord are paraded in decorated chariots around the city. A mammoth festival is held in Jagannathpuri. July 7 : Ashadh sud 11: Devpodhi Ekadashi The first day of Chaturmas - the four holy months. During these months, extra devotional observances are undertaken. July 11 : Ashadh sud 15: Guru Purnima (Click here to learn more) The day on which devotees honor their guru. They pay their respects and offer their gratitude for the spiritual guidance the guru gives. August 9: Shravan sud 15: Raksha Bandhan (Click here to learn more) Sisters tie an amulet (called rakhi or raksha) around the wrist of their brothers, and pray for their protection from surrounding evil. August 15: Shravan sud 10: Independence Day The day on which India became an independent, democratic nation. August 16: Shravan vad 8: Janmashtami (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Bhagwan Krishna. August 27: Bhadarvo sud 3: Sam-Shravani Sadhus and Samvedi Brahmins change their janoi (sacred thread) on this day. August 27: Bhadarvo sud 4: Ganesh Chaturthi (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiv and Shri Parvatiji. September 4: Bhadarvo sud 11: Jal Jhilani Ekadashi (Click here to learn more) The midpoint of chaturmas. The Lord is taken for a boat ride. September 4: Bhadarvo sud 12: Vaman Jayanti ( Click here to learn more ) September 23: Aso sud 1: Start of Navratri (Click here to learn more) 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 2: Aso sud 10: Vijaya Dashmi (Click here to learn more) 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 7: Aso sud 15: Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami's Birthday, Sharad Punam (Click here to learn more) 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. October 18: Aso vad 12: Vagh Baras (Click here to learn more) Cows, symbolizing Mother Nature, are worshipped on this day. October 19 : Aso vad 13: Dhan Teras/Lakshmi Pujan (Click here to learn more) 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. October 20: Aso vad 14: Kali Chaudash (Click here to learn more) Prayers are offered to protect one from the evil forces of life. October 21: Aso vad 14: Diwali(Click here to learn more) Diwali symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil. The goddess of wealth, Lakshmiji, is worshipped on this day to receive blessings for future prosperity. October 22/23 : Aso vad 30/1: Annakut and Bestu Varash (Click here to learn more) Offering of different varieties of food to the deities. The first day of the Hindu New Year. October 24: Kartik sud 2: Bhai Beej (Click here to learn more) The day on which brothers are invited to dine at their sister's house.  October 27 : Kartik sud 5: Labh Pancham (Click here to learn more) An auspicious day to commence any noble venture. November 2: Kartik sud 11: Prabodhini Ekadashi (Click here to learn more) The last day of Chaturmas, after which all extra spiritual observances undertaken over the previous four months may be relaxed. November 5: Kartik sud 14/15: Dev Diwali (Click here to learn more) Signifies the return of God after spending Chaturmas with King Bali. Today is a day to resolve to free oneself of base instincts. Novembre 28: Magshar sud 8: Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Jayanti (Click here to learn more) The birthday of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th and present spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.