Images

This year, the auspicious Hindola Festival began on Ashad Vad 1, 2066 (July 27th, 2010), and it will run for the duration of one month. During this time, disciples decorate, with a variety of items, beautiful hindolas on which to seat Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.

The Hindola Festival is a wonderful opportunity for a disciple to show his or her devotion and love towards the Lord. Literally translated, a "hindola" 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 manner, sweetly rocking the Lord in a beautiful hindola is a means by which to show one's love for the Lord.

In addition, during the Hindola Festival, those who visit the temple are instantly attracted to the hindola due to its beauty and magnificence. At the heart of the hindola, 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 hindola, 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 hindolas at Shree Swaminarayan Temple New Jersey in the top right-hand corner. The images will be updated regularly throughout the Hindola Festival. To view images of hindolas around the world, click here.