Abstract
This paper explores the significance of festivals within Indian culture, particularly their role in fostering spiritual and social identity. Focusing on the festivals celebrated by the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, it delves into the nature and function of dynamic and organized celebrations, and the ways in which Sahajanand Swami institutionalized these festivals. The research highlights that Swaminarayan festivals were not mere expressions of joy but deeply embedded in spiritual practices. Central to these events were discourses and rituals aimed at enhancing devotion, social cohesion, and moral consciousness. By analyzing the festivals celebrated during Sahajanand Swami’s lifetime, including the institutionalization of key celebrations such as Ram Navami and Annakut, this work argues that these events were crucial to shaping the Swaminarayan identity and values. The festivals created opportunities for social interaction, transcended cultural boundaries, and fostered community-building through shared religious practices. Additionally, this paper examines the impact of these festivals on spiritual literature, community hierarchy, and the dissemination of core Swaminarayan values, underscoring their role in nurturing spiritual progress and communal belonging. Through the examination of specific festivals, such as the Fuldol Utsav and Shakotsav, this study provides insights into how festivals within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya have historically contributed to the spiritual and social development of the community.