Hindola Utsav literally means ‘swing festival’ and Hindola Festival is observed by Swaminarayan Sect in Gujarat. Hindola 2023 begins on July 4 and ends on September 1. During the one-month festival, the idol of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is seated on a swing in the temples and is pulled to and fro (rocked). The festival begins two days after the Guru Poonam day in Ashadh month (June – July) and ends two days after Shravan Purnima
The idol of Lord Swaminarayan is seated on a swing during the month and pujas are performed. Hindola festival provides an opportunity for a devotee to immerse in Lord's murti. Hindolas are a mode to meditate on the Lord.
Hindola festival finds origin in the life of Krishna Bhagavan – it is believed that Gopis rocked Lord Krishna on a decorated swing in the forests of Vrindavan.