2014 Festival Calendar

Hindus observe sacred occasions by festive observances. All festivals in Hinduism are predominantly spiritual in character and significance. Many festivals are seasonal. Some celebrate harvest and descension of God. Some are dedicated to important events in Hindu Ithihasa Purana (Historical Facts). Every festival is a unique opportunity for everyone to remember the Divine glories of our beloved Lord and their leelas (Divine past times). As Hindu’s we are graced with multiple festival dates to remember Him and to celebrate their Divine glories.  

The following major festivals are celebrated in all the ashrams of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

1^st January, 2014 – Bakthi Diwas / New Year Celebration

14^th January 2014 - Makar Sankranti / Jagadguru Divas

Makar Sankranti signifies the beginning of the harvest season. It’s celebrated not only all over India but other South East Asian Countries as well.

Jagadguru Divas commemorates Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Maharaj Ji’s being proclaimed the supreme Jagadguru of this age (Jagadguruttam) on Jan 14, 1957.

30^th January 2014 - Mauni Amavasya

As per Hindu scriptures Mauni Amavasya is the day when the universe was created. It is believed that Manu Rishi appeared on earth at this very day. The Sun and the Moon enters into the Capricorn sign. People observe a vow of complete silence known as Maun Vrat on this day, to control their senses and engage into the service of Lord Hari. It is believed that practicing austerities helps to purify one’s existence and the easiest way to do so is through vow of silence. Traditionally Hindus take bath on this day in holy waters during Kumbh gives freedom from the clutches of materialistic comfort.

4^th February 2014 - Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season and falls on the fifth day of spring (Maagh). Also known and celebrated as Saraswati Puja.

25th February 2014  - Prem Mandir Anniversary (Prem Mandir, Vrindavan)

27^th February 2014 - Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri or ‘Shiva’s Great Night’ symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

12^th March 2014- Rang Ekadashi

Shri Maharaj Ji showers blessings and divine rose water with the essence of bhakti on this auspicious day.

16^th March 2014- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti / Holika Dahan

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti is the descension day of Shri Radha Rani as Gauranga Dev Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Nadia.

On the eve of Holika Dahan huge bonfires are lit to commemorate the burning of the Demoness Holika, the sister of Demon Hiranyakashipu.

17^th March 2014 - Holi Dulhendi

Festival of Colours. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi.  Holi in the ashram is played with coloured powder and water dyed from the natural colours of flowers.

19^th March 2014 – Pyari Amma’s Punya Tithi Aaradhana

Pyari Amma’s (Guru Mata) Ascension Day to Divine Goloka. On Chaitra Masa Krishna Paksha, Tritiiya Tithi at 3.35 am our beloved Pyari Amma left Her material body and ascended to Divine Goloka. (13^th March 2009 – On Gregorian calendar)

8th April 2014 - Shri Ramanavami

This festival commemorates the descension day of Lord Ram.in the Bala Kanda of the Valmiki  Ramayana ………On completion of the ritual six seasons have passed by and then in the twelfth month, on the ninth day of Chaitra month [March–April], when the presiding deity of ruling star of the day is Aditi, where the ruling star of day is Punarvasu (Nakshatra), the asterism is in the ascendant, and when five of the nine planets viz., Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are at their highest position, when Jupiter with Moon is ascendant in Cancer, and when day is advancing, then Queen Kausalya gave birth to a son with all the divine attributes like lotus-red eyes, lengthy arms, roseate lips, voice like drumbeat, and who took birth to delight the Ikshwaku dynasty, who is adored by all the worlds, and who is the greatly blessed epitome of Hari, namely Rama. (Bala Kanda, Ramayana by Valmiki, Chapter (Sarga) 18, verses 8, 9, 10 and 11)

14^th April 2014 – Hindu New Year (Vedic)

15^th April 2014 – Shri Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on full moon day during Chaitra month to commemorate the birth of Hanuman.

1^th May 2014 - Shri Parasuram Jayanti

2^nd  May 2014 - Akshaya Tritiiya (2 days overlapping each other)

Akshaya Tritiiya which is also known as Akha Teej is highly auspicious and holy day for Hindu communities. It falls during Shukla Paksha Tritiiya in the month of Vaishakha. Akshaya Tritiiya falling on a Rohini Nakshatra day with Wednesday is considered very auspicious. The word Akshaya (अक्षय) means never diminishing.

Akshaya Tritiiya also is the appearance day of Lord Parasuram, the sixth descension of supreme God. It falls during Shukla Paksha Tritiiya in the month of Vaishakha. It is believed that Parasuram was born during Pradosh Kal and hence the day when Tritiiya prevails during Pradosh Kal is considered for Parasuram Jayanti celebrations. The purpose of the sixth incarnation of God is to relieve the Earth's burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources and neglected their duties as kings. The Kalki Purana states that Parasuram will be the martial guru of Shri Kalki, final Avatar of God. It is not the first time that 6th Avatar of God will meet another Avatar. According to Ramayana, Parasuram came to the betrothal ceremony of Sita and Lord Rama and met the 7th Avatar of God.

8^th May 2014- Shri Sita Mata Jayanti

Sita Navami is celebrated as birth anniversary of Goddess Sita. This day is also known as Sita Jayanti. Sita Jayanti is celebrated on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month. It is believed that Goddess Sita was born on Tuesday in Pushya Nakshatra. Goddess Sita was married to Lord Rama who was also born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. On Hindu calendar Sita Jayanti falls after one month of Shri Rama Navami.

Mata Sita is also known as Janaki as she was the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. Hence this day is also known as Janaki Navami. According to Ithihasa Purana, when King Janaka was ploughing the land to conduct a Yajna he found a baby girl in the Golden casket. The Golden casket was found inside the field while ploughing the land. A ploughed land is called Sita hence King Janaka named the baby girl as Sita.

11^th May 2014 - Mother’s Day

A day of gratitude for our beloved Guru Mata, Ma Padma (Pyari Amma) so that She may continue to grace us to be in the Seva of our beloved Gurudev Shri Maharaji.

16^th June 2014 - Father’s day

A day of gratitude towards our beloved Gurudev, as a father figures in our lives, so that He may continue to grace us in our Sadhana Bhakti towards Shri Hari.

29^th June 2014 - Jagannath Rathyatra

12^th July 2014 - Guru Poornima

Full moon day during Ashadha month is known as Guru Poornima day. Traditionally this day is reserved for Guru Pujan or Guru Worship. On this day disciples offer Pujan or pay respect to their Gurus. Guru refers to spiritual guide who enlighten disciples by his knowledge and teachings. We are blessed indeed to have Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj as our Gurudev and we offer our gratitude to or spiritual master and thank Shri Hari for giving us a Guru.

30^th July 2014- Haryali Teej

Haryali Teej falls on Shukla Paksha Tritiiya in Shravana (Savan) month and usually falls two days before Nag Panchami. Nature can be seen flourishing. Heavy rains can be witnessed during this period in which everything can be seen full of life because of the Shravana month. Everything can be seen green because of the trees and plants and that is the reason why this festival is known as Haryali Teej. Teej is also the festival swings. Swings are an intricate part of the festival. Beautifully decorated swings are hung in Krishna Temples and the deities of RadhaKrishna are lovingly swinged by devotees.

1st August 2014 - Nag Panchami

Shukla Paksha Panchami during Shravana month is observed as Nag Panchami. Usually Nag Panchami day falls two days after Haryali Teej. Usually Nag Panchami falls in month of July and August in English calendar. The five Nagas worshipped on Nag Panchami: Ananta, Vasuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala.

10^th August 2014 - Raksha Bandhan

The day Shri Maharaj Ji ties a protective knot (Rakhi) on everybody’s hands.

17^th August 2014 - Shri Krishna Janmashthami

Shri Krishna’s descension day. The festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Shravana (August–September) in the Hindu calendar.

29^th August 2014 - Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. On Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Currently Ganesh Chaturthi day falls in month of August or September in English calendar.

2^nd September 2014- Shri Radha Ashtami

Shri Radha’s descension day. She was about 1 year elder to Krishna, whose birth is celebrated as Janmashthami 15 days earlier. She descended at 4am early in the morning on the eight moon day. Shri Radha Rani descended in Barsana as the daughter of King Vrishbhanu and Queen Kirti.

8^th September 2014 - Anant Chaturdashi

Also known as Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi or Anant Chaturdashi. The last day of the Ganesh festival, which begins with Ganesh Chaturthi.

3^rd October 2014 - Vijayadasami / (Dussehra)

On this day in the Treta Yug, Bhagawan Shri Ram killed the great demon Ravana who had abducted Shri Rama's wife Mother Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Shri Rama, his brother Lakshmana, Hanuman, Jambavan and an army of monkeys fought a great battle to rescue Mother Sita. Dasha-hara means the “remover of bad fate” and marks the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. Concludes the festival of Navaratri and commemorates the triumph of good over evil.

8^th October 2014 - Sharad Poornima

The full moon day in the month of Ashwin. It is also referred as Ras Lila Divas or Ras Lila day. Our Beloved Gurudev,  Shri Maharaj Ji’s birthday. He appeared in 1922 at midnight on Sharad Poornima in the lap of the eternally Divine, most fortunate Shrimati Bhagwati Devi. On the same night five thousand years ago, Shri Krishna bestowed the highest class of Divine love Bliss in the form of Maharas to qualified souls.

11^th October 2014 - Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is a fast observed by married Hindu women mostly in North India for the well-being of their husbands. This festival comes 9 days before Diwali on ‘kartik ki chauth’, the fourth day of the dark moon.

21^st October 2014 - Dhan Teras

After the Sagar Manthan between the Devatas and Asuras, Dhanvantri came out of the Milky Ocean with celestial amrita. It is also known as Dhanvantri Jayanti. The Mohini Avatar takes place on this day.

23^rd October 2014 - Diwali

Deepawali or Diwali is the festival of lights. Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped on this day.  Diwali is also the descension Day of our Guru Mata, Pyari Amma. Amma, our Divine Mother. Her name was Shrimati Padma Devi. She took birth in Leelapur in a family of Brahmins. , Shri Rama, Mother Sita, and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya on the 30th day of Ashwin (19–20 days after Vijayadasami). To mark the return of Lord Rama, in the evening, the residents of Ayodhya lit their city with millions of earthen lamps (called Diya / Deepak). Since then, this day is celebrated in India as Deepawali or Diwali.

24^th October 2014 - Govardhan Puja

The word Govardhan has two meanings. Go means cows and vardhan means nourishment. In the other meaning Go stands for senses and vardhan means to divert the senses towards Shri Krishna. Both of these are done by Shri Giriraja. By residing in the foothills of Shri Giriraja, all the senses are inclined to serve the Lotus Feet of Krishna. Lord Krishna also lifted Govardhan Hill to save the Brajwasis from heavy rainfall caused by Indra.

25^th October 2014 - Bhaiya Dooj

Also known as Bhaiya Dooj tikka festival, it honours the special bond between a brother and a sister.

31^st October 2014 - Gopaashtami

Gopaashtami occurs on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik. On this day, as Krishna entered the pauganda age he was initiated as a cow herder. Normally the pauganda age begins as a child enters his sixth year. Five years are allotted for youth (kumara), five years for boyhood (pauganda), and on the eleventh year adolescence begins (kisore). However, Krishna, being an extraordinary child in every way, passed through these ages quickly such that by the time he was seven he had entered adolescence. Even in ordinary human society we find that some children are mature for their age, and Krishna was such that he was one and one half times as mature as his actual age. At four, he was six years in terms of maturity.

3^rd November 2014 - Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi 

The importance of Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi was narrated to Sage Narada by Brahma in the Skanda Purana. Prabodhini Ekadashi also known as Devotthan Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi) in the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Kartik. It marks the end of the four-month period of Chaturmas, when Lord Vishnu is believed to sleep. It is believed that Vishnu sleeps on Shayani Ekadashi and wakes on Prabodhini Ekadashi, thus giving this day the name "Prabodhini Ekadashi" ("awakening eleventh").

4^th November 2014 - Tulasi Vivah

Tulasi Vivah is performed on this day, the symbolic wedding of Tulasi Devi (Vrinda Devi) to Lord Krishna.

5^th November 2014 – Shri Maharaji’s Punya Tithi Aradhana

When our beloved Gurudev, Shri Maharaji brought His visible pastimes on this earth to a close and left for the Divine Abode of Shri Radha Krishna, on November 15th, 2013 (on the Gregorian calendar) . The Hindu Panchang date is the 13th day (Trayodasha) of Sukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, in the year 2070 of Vikram Samvat.

6^th November 2014- Kartik Poornima

Kartik Poornima (Kartik Poornima) is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the full moon day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November–December). It is also known as Tripuri Poornima and Tripurari Poornima. It is sometimes called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deepawali - the festival of lights of the gods. The Kartik Poornima festival also coincides with the Sikh festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Lord Shiv killed the demon called Tipurasura on this day. Also marks the appearance of Matsya (Fish Avatar) , the fifth descension of supreme God. The birthday of Vrinda Devi, the personification of the Tulasi plant.  The day when Shri Krishna was tied with a cord (daama) around His waist (udara), denoting a divine pastime in which Krishna's mother Yasoda bound Krishna for being mischievous and earning the name Damodhara.