Hindola is a festival celebrated in the Hindu Religion. It refers to the decorative swings that are prepared with items such as cloth, food (fruit, dry fruit etc.) and are colourful.

History

The festival finds its origin in the streets of Vrindavan

Vrindavan

Vrindavan also known as Vraj is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India...

 over 5000 years ago where the Gopi

Gopi

Gopi is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning 'cow-herd girl'. In Hinduism specifically the name gopi is used more commonly to refer to the group of cow herding girls famous within Vaishnava Theology for their unconditional devotion to Krishna as described in the stories of Bhagavata Purana and...

s rocked Krishna

Krishna

Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...

 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 pushti marg vaishnav sect and the rituals and guidelines were set by shree vithaleshji. Hindola remains one of the most aucpicious festivals for pushti marg vaishnavs.

Each day of the month of Shraavan, the Hindola is decorated in different material (mirrors, flowers, colors, etc).

Occurrence

It occurs in the months of Shravan

Shravan

Shravan is a Sanskrit word, which literally means listening.* Shravanam is one of the nine most important angas of bhakti.Shravan Kumar belonged to the time when King Dashratha ruled Ayodhya. He was born of poor and blind parents, but they had brought him up remarkably well. He was strong healthy...

 or Ashadh in the Vikram Samvat calendar.

Celebrations in Swaminarayan temples

Today in temples of the Swaminarayan Faith

Swaminarayan Faith

Swaminarayan Hinduism, also known as the Swaminarayan faith or the Swaminarayan sect, is a modern tradition in the Vaishnava denomination of Hinduism, in which followers offer devotion to and worship Swaminarayan as the final manifestation of God....

, the festival is celebrated by decorating a swing in various ways throughout the whole month. They are decorated with any theme that can be thought of, from flowers to Gold Coins. Satsangi

Satsangi

A follower of Swaminarayan is referred to as a Satsangi . There are eight important things in the life of a Satsangi.-Kanthi:Lord Swaminarayan instructed his followers to wear a double stranded kanthi to symbolise Krishna and Radha...

s go to the temple daily to rock the an idol of Swaminarayan on a swing, perform Aarti and to prepare the most elaborate Hindolas.

For more such Hindola Photos, click here.

Music

Songs of Hindola, which were sung by saints like Premanand Swami

Premanand Swami

Premanand Swami was a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and one of Swaminarayan's paramhansas.- Biography :...

, are sung accompanied by musical instruments during this festival.