May 29 Ascension of Baha’ u ‘llah
Ascension of Baha’ u’ llah (Baha’i) Ascension of Baha’ u’ llah marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Baha’i faith. Baha’is suspend work on this day.
View ArticleMay 5 Mi’raj al-Nabiy
Mi’raj al-Nabiy (Islam) Mi’raj al-Nabiy commemorates the ascension (al-Mi’raj) of the Prophet to heaven. Muslims interpret the event literally or symbolically. The festival begins in the evening.
View ArticleJune 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikhism) Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606). Guru Arjan Dev Ju was the first Sikh Martyr and the fifth Guru. He built the Harimandir Sahib (Home of the...
View ArticleJune 18 Anniversary of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodoro
Anniversary of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodoro (Buddhism) Anniversary of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodoro. He was a major proponent of the Rime movement within Tibetan Buddhism,a nd had a profound...
View ArticleJune 23 Poson
Poson (Buddhism) Poson celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the Arahant Mahinda, son of King Asoka, who first brought Buddhim to Sri Lanka. Poson is characterised by day-long processions...
View ArticleJune 23 Nisf Sha’ban
Nisf Sha’ban (Islam) Nisf Sha’ban, the 15th day or middle (Nisf) of the eighth month (Sha’ban), is the Night of Repentance in preparation for Ramadan. It begins in the evening.
View ArticleJune 29 – July 3 Ghambar Maidyoshem
Ghambar Maidyoshem (Zoroastrianism) Ghambar Maidyoshem celebrates the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crop and the harvesting of grain.
View ArticleJuly 6 Birthdate of H. H. Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso
Birthdate of H. H. Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso (Buddhism) Birthdate of H. H. Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, born in 1935. He is the 14th and curent Dalai Lama.
View ArticleJuly 9 Martyrdom of the Bab
Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) Martyrdom of the Bab memorializes the death of the Bab. Baha’is suspend work on this day.
View ArticleJuly 9 Ramadan begins
Ramadan begins (Islam) July 9 is the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the month of fasting during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset.
View ArticleJuly 16 Tish’a B’Av
Tish’a B’Av (Judiasm) Tish’a B’Av begins at sundown on July 15. Tish’a B’Av is the ninth of the month of Av. Tish’a B’Av is a major fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second...
View ArticleJuly 22 Asalha (Dhamma Day)
Asalha (Dhamma Day) (Buddhism) Asalha (Dhamma Day)commemorates the Buddha’s first discourse, given to the five monks at the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi.
View ArticleJuly 22 Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima (Jainism) Guru Purnima is celebrated around the world by disciples to revere and honour their Gurus (spiritual masters).
View ArticleJuly 23-24 Rains Retreat or Vassa
Rassa or Rains Retreat (Buddhism) Monks and nuns begin the three rainy season retreat. Vassa is the period of September and October when heavy rain stops and the monks from wandering from place to...
View ArticleJuly 30 Oh-harai-taisai
Oh-harai-taisai (Shinto) Oh-harai-taisai, the Grand Purification Ceremony, has been held since ancient times to obtain purification from sins and offences committed during the first half of the the...
View ArticleAugust 2 Jum’at al-Wada
Jum’at al-Wada (Islam) Jum’at al-Wada (Farewell Friday) is the last Friday of the month of Ramadan and the Friday immediately preceding Id al-Fitr. While not a festival, Jum’at al-Wada is a special...
View ArticleAugust 3 Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr (Islam) Laylat al-Qadr, Night of Power, commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an (Islamic scriptures) to Prophet Muhammad in 610 ce. the festival begins in the evening.
View ArticleAugust 8 Id al-Fitr
Id al-Fitr (Islam) Id al-Fitr, the Breaking of the Fast, celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
View ArticleAugust 8-17 Fravardeghan Days
Fravardeghan Days (Zoroastrianism) Fravardeghan Days, also known as Muktad (memorializing ancestors), are ten days in preparation for Nowruz (the start of the New Year), observed by Zoroastrians who...
View ArticleAugust 18 Nowruz
Nowruz (Zoroastrianism) Nowruz (the start of the New Year) for Zarathushtis who follow the Shenshai Calendar and the beginning of the year 1383 AY (After Yazdegird III, the last of the Zoroastrian...
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