January 14 : Posh Vad 14 Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan) From today onwards, Sun enters Makar Rashi. So it is called Makar Sankranti. Also the inclination of sun starts towards the South, so it is also called Uttarayana. The inclination of Sun is divided into two. Uttarayan (6 months) and Dakshiyana (6 months). Out of which, Uttarayana is considered as very sacred by scriptures. Giving alms and doing good deeds on this day has great significance compared to other days. The fruit you get is very much more on this day. In India, kite-flying festival is celebrated on this day. Spiritually this festival signifies to fly God (kite) in the divine sky (chidakash) with our beam of knowledge (thread).

January 26 : Maha sud 11 Republic Day The Constitution of India came into force, and India declared itself as a "Republic" on January 26, 1950, a date thereafter celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. The Constitution had been drafted by the Constituent Assembly which was set up when India gained its independence from the British in 1947. This, in fact, was a deliberate act: the 26th of January was initially India's "Independence Day", one of Mahatma Gandhi's many symbolic acts during India's struggle for freedom against British colonial rule, and the adoption of the Constitution on this date was felt able to strengthen its initial meaning, one calling for Indians of all ages to declare their freedom from the British Raj. It is one of three national holidays in India, the other two being the nation's Independence Day on August 15 (since 1947) and the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2. And so, after the disposal of the Empire of India, King George VI was the last and only "Emperor" of modern India.

February 12 : Maha Vad 14 Shivratri It is believed to be the day when the famous 12 Jyotirlings of India had emerged. On this particular day, devotees keep fast and pray to Lord Shiva. A grand fair is held at Junagad situated in the foot hills of Girnar mountain ranges in Gujarat. Lord Shiva is a great devotee and meditates uninterrupedetly on divine image of God. He is an ascetic of high order and a renunciate. Lord Swaminarayan likes these qualities in him and has accepted him amongst the five worshipable dieties. He has even established Siddheshwar Mahadev in Junagadh temple. CAUTION: Devotees of God should never indulge in consumption of Bhang, Dhatura, liquor and non vegeterian food even on holy day like Shivratri. There is no need to intake these things. None of the Semi gods like it and there is no such ritual. So we should engage in Bhajan-Bhakti, observe fast and make God happy.

March 1 : Fagan Vad 1 Dhuleti/Pushpadolotsav On the afternoon of this auspiscious day Dharamdev and Bhaktimata gave birth to God 'Nar Narayan' who is the king and the Lord of 'Bharat Khand' . Thus on this day, Indians put up cradles decorated with variety of flowers and blossoms and make God swing on the cradles and celebrate their Lord's birth. Thereafter they splash coloured water and colour powders on each other and share their joy.'God saved Prahlad'; this is another reason for this colourful festival's excitement. The 'Lord Supreme', almighty Lord Swaminarayan celebrated this festival more than others with a lot of funfare. In these celebrations people used to turn up in huge numbers at Gadhpur, Sarangpur and Vadtal. The popular 12 doors swing in which Lord Swaminarayan swang at Vadtal and delighted his devotees by emerging in 12 different forms at the same time; was on this particular day, in Samvat 1872. Other people from India too celebrated this festival and call it 'Dhuleti' or the festival of colours.

March 17 : Chaitra Sud 2 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.

March 24 : Chaitra Sud 9 Ramnavmi Lord Rama was born on this auspiscious day in Ayodhya at 12:00 noon. Thus all over India in Hindu temples there is a special 'Aarti' done at 12:00 noon on this particular day. Lord Ram played the role of a perfect ideal man who was full of qualities like righteous (Niti), religiousness (Dharma) and discipline (Maryada). On this same day, the Supreme God, Lord Swaminarayan too took birth at 'Chhapaiya', a village near Ayodhya, at 10:10 pm. Thus, this day is one of the most auspiscious and celebrated one in the Swaminarayan sect and is called 'Hari Jayanti'. Every Swaminarayan temple lights up on this day and there are special celebrations and festivals held. The climax is when the grand 'Aarti' is done exactly at 10:10 pm and the birth of Lord is celebrated. Lord Swaminarayan was born to Bhakti Devi and Dharam Dev. He was a Brahmin by caste and followed the 'Sam Veda'. Lord came on this earth to establish Ekantik Dharma and to spread his 'Sarvopari Upasana'. The village 'Chhapaiya' in the state of Uttar Pradesh and district Gonda was blessed to be his birth land. On this Holy day devotees fast and sing hymns and praises of the great God and arrange and participate in special 'Satsang' congrigations.

March 30 : Chaitra Sud 15 Hanuman Jayanti Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.

April 14 : Chaitra vad 15 Ambedkar Jayanthi Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 — December 6, 1956), also known as Babasaheb, was an Indian nationalist, jurist, Dalit political leader and a Buddhist revivalist. He was also the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Born into a poor Untouchable family, Ambedkar spent his whole life fighting against social discrimination, the system of Chaturvarna - the Hindu categorization of human society into four varnas - and the Indian caste system. He is also credited with having sparked the Dalit Buddhist movement. Ambedkar has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

August 15 : Shravan Vad 9 Independence Day Independence Day On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British Rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country. The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.

August 19 : Shravan sud 10 Parshi Nutan

August 24 : Shravan Sud 15 Raksha Bandhan An Indian festival celebrated grandly with great joy. It is a very famous custom where in sisters tie ‘Raksha Sutra’ [thread of protection] on the hand of her brother but the original tradition is somewhat different. Raksha Bandhan = A knot that symbolises the protection of mind, body and soul. Not only sisters tie this knot, but any one who can protect us from these three things can tie this thread. In Mahabharata, Grandma Kuntaji tied the knot of protection to her grandson Abhimanyu. When Bhagwan Vaaman stood at the door of king Bali to serve him, Laxmiji tied this ‘Raksha Sutra’ to Bali and made him her brother and requested Bali to free Lord. Although Mayaram Bhatt was a Brahmin, but even then he used to take blessings from Ramanand swami on this day by accepting Rakshabandhan. In this materialistic world and in spiritual world, one can express their love by tying this Raksha Sutra or can request elder saints for protection on this day. It basically signifies the message, “Please protect me from my senses, conscience and inner enemies and bless us that my soul always remains engage in the Almighty”. To get this boon, devotees get raksha tied from elder saints.

September 2 : Shravan Vad 8 Janmashtami On this day, Lord Shree Krishna incarnated in the jail of Mathura at 12:00 in the night. His father’s name was Vasudev and mother’s name was Devki. King Kansh was being foretold that the eighth son of Devki would kill him. So he kept killing all her sons. And when the 8th Son was born, both people (Devki and Vasudev) were afraid. To bring them at peace, god suggested to send Himself to Nand-Yasoda’s place. God’s parents did so. And when Nandji heard the news that he has become the father of a son, fanfare and festivities were started by cowherds and milkmaids. (Gops and Gopis) of Mathura. On this account, even today after 5000 years the birth festival of Lord Krishna is celebrated by devotees all around the village of India. They gather on this day and observe fast. In the night they please god by singing hymns, praises, bhajans and doing satsang. At 12’o clock in the night, the birth of Krishna is celebrated. Fanfare starts and the air is filled with joy, enthusiasm and happiness. God is placed in the swing and devotees sway Lord Krishna. Many such festivals are being celebrated by shree swaminarayan temple, karelibaug, Vadodara. With kind inspiration of H.H. shri Gnanjivandasji Swami. IMP: ON this day, even H.H. shri Ramanand Swami was born in the morning. So Lord Shree Hari Himself used to celebrate this day as his Guruji’s birthday.

September 11 : Bhadrva Sud 4 Ganesh Chaturthi This 4th day is considered to be the birthday of Lord Ganesha. So devotees on this account worship Ganesha and offer Ladoos of Churma to god and then this thaal is offered to Ganesha. Ganesha is the god of prosperity even today, before starting any work, remembrance of Ganesha is considered to be auspicious. Once upon a time, Lord Shiva went for penance. He did not return for a long period. Goddess Parvatiji, sad with loneliness and longing for a child, with her powers produced a child and named him as Ganesha. He was very powerful. Once he was playing outside and Lord Shiva came in. His beard and hair had grown and so his appearance was not pleasing. Ganpati thought with Lord Shiva and did not allow him to enter Kailash so Shiva beheaded Ganpati and came home. On hearing this news, Parvatiji became vary sad. To please Parvati, and to make Ganeshji alive again, Lord Shiva ordered his trident to bring the first head. The head of an elephant was brought and was placed on Ganeshji. Lord Shiva then pleased by Ganesh’s bravery blessed Him and offered a boon that “Before beginning any good or bad deed, everyone would worship Lord Ganesha and would never meet any hindrances in their work”. This way Ganesha became ‘Vidhna VinayakDev’ (God who destroys hindrances)

October 2 : Bhadrva Vad 9 Mahatma Ghandi Jayanti Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation". It is celebrated on October 2, every year. It is one of the three official declared National Holidays of India and is observed in all its states and union territories. The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution which declared that October 2 will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

October 17 : Aso Sud 10 Vijaya Dashmi Lord Rama killed Ravana on this auspicious day & established peace and happiness on the entire globe. So on this day, demigods and humans celebrate this festival with joy and enthusiasm. In many places, programs to burn the effigy of Ravana are arranged and people celebrate by relishing the taste of Jalebi (one type of Sweets) and Fafda (Farshan) Kshatriyas play with horse and worship their weapons and khijada tree. Even Shree Hari used to do this kind of exploits. During the last year of exile of Pandavas, ‘Sami Tree’ served very useful for hiding their weapons.

November 6 : Aso Vad 15 Diwali From Aaso Vad terash till Kartik Sud pacham are the days of festival and New Year. So temples and houses are decorated with lamps & electric lighting series to create an atmosphere of festivity. On Dhanterash, house holders worship the goddess Laxmiji, the wealth of our house should not adulterate our thoughts but should help us progress in path towards salvation. With this intention this worshiping is carried out. Mistakes committed unknowingly while earning the wealth are washed by this worship and Laxmiji also get pleased. Also Vad Chaudash means the day wherein people worship Hanumanji to receive protection from ghosts, evils and devils. People prepare ‘Vada’ for Hanumanji’s thaal. On the occasion of Diwali, lighting, fire crackers, enjoyment & enthusiasm are the custom of India. It is being said that Lord Ram accepted throne on this day. So people celebrate this festival.

November 7 : Kartak Sud 1 Nutan Varsh - Annakut According to the Indian Calendar, the Gujarati year (Vikram Samvat Year) commences from Kartik Sud Ekam. So, the first day is referred to as the New Year's Day. Also called Bestu Varas in Gujarati. In the time of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, i.e. about 200 years ago, the Gujarati year started from Ashad Sud Padvo. For this reason, all the years in Vachnamrut change with reference to Ashad. As per the Indian culture, on this day, people take blessings from God, Saints and elders. They also send good wishes of the New Year to their friends, relatives and loved ones. On this day, devotees make resolutions such as not to commit mistakes like the past years. They beg for pardon in their family and satsang for their bad behavior, misunderstanding, grudges and lack of co-operation. They themselves, forgive other's mistakes and embrace each other with love as a sign of peace and unity on this occasion.

November 8 : Kartak Sud 2 Bhai Beej (Nutanvarsh) A holy day which symbolises the love of brother and sister. On this day, sister invites her dear brother for lunch/dinner at her house. Tears of happiness roll down their cheeks when they meet each other. Sister experience pure love and feels good and happy by her brother's arrival. She forgets all her sorrows in life. With her own hand she prepares the food and serves it to her brother. On the other hand brother offers some gift to his sister.

December 25 : Magshar Vad 13 Christmas Day Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It refers to both the day commemorating the birth, and also the Christmastide season which that day inaugurates, concluding with the Feast of the Epiphany. The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be Jesus' actual date of birth. Christmas festivities often combine the observation of the Nativity with various cultural customs, many of which have been influenced by earlier winter festivals. Although nominally a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians. Of note not all Christian denominations, like Jehovah's Witnesses, certain Seventh Day Adventist churches, and Members of the Living Church of God celebrate Christmas.