Hindola is an important
Hindu festival celebrated in India. This is a festival of swings, wherein the idols of
Lord Krishna and
Radha are placed in a decorated swing and swung gently amid devotional songs. The festival falls in the Hindu month of
Shravan. Hindola is actually the name of the swing used for the deities. It is made in a variety of colors, shapes and forms. The materials used for its decoration include vegetables, leaves, flowers, earthen pots, fruits, dry fruits, beans, chocolates, steel dishes and cups.
The main reason for swinging the deities is to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna. This ritual has a legend behind it. It is said that Lord Krishna was given similar treatment by the Gopis (milk maids), to express their love and affection towards him. This tradition has been carried out since then. The swing ritual is usually performed in the temples amid holy chants and devotional songs. The festivities continue for almost a whole month.
In some parts of India, the idol of Lord Swaminaryan (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is swung.
