News & Events

Hindola Utsav (Swing Festival)
Wednesday 24 July to Thursday 22 August 2013

In the Hindu devotional tradition, the month from Ashadh vad 2 to Shravan vad 2 of the Indian calendar is celebrated as the Hindola Utsav, or ‘Swing Festival’. Decorated swings of various shapes and forms are created in which an image of God is lovingly rocked by the devotees.

Placing God on the swing is symbolic of instilling him in one’s heart, while the gentle pulling of the swing symbolises the aspirant’s efforts of drawing closer to him through love and obedience.

This year, the Swing Festival ran from 24 July to 22 August 2013.

Like every year at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London – and as at all Swaminarayan mandirs worldwide – volunteers devoutly created swings using various materials and based on a variety of themes. The gallery above shows a selection of this year’s swings . The themes/materials included:

  • Garden
  • Fresh Flowers
  • Peacock
  • Dry Fruits
  • Fish Art
  • Fruits
  • Mogra Flower
  • Rakhdi