Hindola

Hindola Festival celebrated in Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal

Hindola is popular festival celebrated in Hinduism. In this festival, idol of Lord Krishna is placed on the swing and is rocked by his devotees.

History

The festival finds its origin in the streets of Vrindavan over 5000 years ago where the Gopis rocked Krishna on a decorated swing. Ever since, to experience the divine joy of rocking Krishna in a small swing, the hindola festival became the focus of devotion. Hindola originates from the Pushtimarg sect. In Pushtimarg, Hindola is made of wood, gold, silver. They are decorated with flowers, fruits, dry fruits, vegetables, pavitra garlands, rakhis, glass, jari, pearls etc. Hindola remains one of the most auspicious festivals for Pushtimarg Vaishnavs.

Every day in the month of Shraavana, the Hindola is decorated with different material (mirrors, flowers, colors etc).

Occurrence

It occurs in the months of (Ashadh/Shravan) in the Vikram Samvat calendar. Mainly from Ashadh Vad 2nd to Shravan Vad- 2 every year.

Celebrations in Swaminarayan temples

In Major Krishna Temples, Hindola Parv is celebrated since decades in almost every part of Country also by Iscon Temples in India. As per the Ancient scripture, this festival is celebrated to show love and affection towards Lord Krishna. Today in temples, the festival is celebrated by decorating a swing in various ways placing the idol of Shri Krishna throughout the whole month. They are decorated with any theme that can be thought of, from flowers to Gold Coins. Followers of Lord Shri Krishna used to go to the temple daily to rock an idol on a swing.

Music

Songs of Hindola, which were sung by saints like Premanand Swami, are sung accompanied by musical instruments during this festival.