This year, the auspicious Hindolo Festival runs from Ashad Vad 2, 2065 (July 9th, 2009) to Shravan Vad 2, 2065 (August 8th, 2009). During this time, disciples decorate beautful hindolos with a variety of items on which to seat Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.
The Hindolo Festival is a wonderful opportunity for a disciple to show his or her devotion and love towards the Lord. Literally translated, a "hindolo" is a "swing." When a child is young, his or her parents often gently rock them or cradle them either in their arms or in a swing, singing them sweet songs and lullabies. Thus, sweetly rocking a child in a swing is a way in which parents show their love for the child. In the same way, sweetly rocking the Lord in a beautiful hindolo is a means by which to show one's love for the Lord.
In addition, during the Hindolo Festival, those who visit the temple are instantly attracted to the hindolo due to its beauty and magnificence. At the heart of the hindolo, Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa is seated, bestowing His divine darshan upon all those who visit. As one admires the fine designs and intricate decorations on the hindolo, he or she will also be attracted to the murti of the Lord, and, thereby, they will receive the divine darshan of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.
This page includes a link to images of hindolos at Shree Swaminarayan Temple New Jersey in the top right-hand corner of this page. The images will be updated regularly throughout the hindolo festival. To view images of hindolos around the world, click here.