Interfaith Religious Holidays

Transcription

1 Interfaith Religious Holidays Christian Calendar All Saints Day November 01, 2018 All Saints' Day is a Christian festival, celebrated to pay tribute to all the saints. The celebration day may vary from place to place but the motto remains the same. Western Christianity celebrates this day on 1st November while the Eastern Christianity celebrates on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Christmas Eve December 24, 2018 On the Christmas Eve, churches around the world hold evening services. At midnight, most churches hold special candlelight services. Santa Claus is a popular character in the Christmas celebration who brings gifts for the children. Christmas Day December 25, 2018 Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated by the Christians, on 25th December, in the major part of the world, to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah sent from Heaven to save the world. It is believed that Jesus was born to Mary in Bethlehem around two thousand years ago. Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for him and for his parents, Mary and Joseph. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ.

2 Watch Night December 31, 2018 It is a tradition in the Black Church in America that five minutes before midnight, men, women and children will kneel, hold hands and pray to God from the present year into the New Year. Epiphany January 06, 2019 Epiphany is one of the most important Christian festivals, as it shows how God comes to His people and reveals His salvation to the world. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word "epiphaneia", which means "appearance" or "manifestation". Every year this day falls on 6th January or in some countries, on the Sunday that falls between 2nd January and 8th January. Ash Wednesday March 01, 2019 Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days (40 fasting days, if the six Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter and can fall as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. Palm Sunday April 09, 2019 The Sunday before Easter, when the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is celebrated in many Christian churches by processions in which palm fronds are carried.

3 Maundy Thursday April 13th, 2019 Maundy Thursday is a Christian festival celebrated by Christians around the world, especially in countries dominated by Christianity such as large parts of Europe, USA etc. The day is celebrated on a Thursday before Easter and usually falls in the early parts of April. The day is celebrated to commemorate the occasion of Last Supper of Jesus Christ, as described in the Bible, whereby Jesus shared a meal with his disciples a day before his crucifixion. Good Friday April 14, 2019 Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday or Black Friday is one of the major holidays primarily observed by Christians. Good Friday is the Friday during Holy Week and falls before Easter Day. This is basically a time of fasting and penance, commemorating the anniversary of Jesus Christ's death on the Cross. Easter (Resurrection Sunday) April 16, 2019 Easter is a festival celebrated by Christians to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The festival celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is considered as a rebirth of Christianity. The earliest references of the celebration of this festival date back to the 2nd century. Ascension of Jesus May 25, 2019 Ascension Day also known as the Feast of Ascension is one of the important Christian festivals celebrated in all over the world. This day marks the last appearance of Lord Jesus Christ to his followers after His resurrection at Easter. Ascension Day falls on the Thursday, exactly 40 days after the Easter.

4 Islamic Holidays Milad un Nabi November 20 21, 2018 The Prophet's Birthday, or Milad un Nabi as it is commonly known in Muslim culture, is celebrated in most of the Muslim countries and in India as well. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated in the third month of the Islamic calendar. While the Shias celebrate it on the 17th of the month, the Sunnis celebrate on the 12th of the month, according to the Islamic calendar. The date of this festival varies in the Gregorian calendar. Leilat al-meiraj April 3, 2019 Muslims worldwide celebrate the Leilat al-meiraj, also known as The Prophet's Ascension. Due to the Gregorian solar calendar, the date varies each year compared to the Islamic lunar calendar, according to which the journey takes place on the night of the 27th of Rajab. This journey is one of the wonders of Muhammad, which was a gift by Allah. He wanted to show the prophet some signs to demonstrate his power in the universe. Allah led Muhammad in one night from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to heaven and back. Lailatul Barat April 20, 2019 The time of religious reflection starts and leads to the holy month of Ramadan. This event takes place on the night between the 14th and the 15th of the holy month of Sha'ban. Due to the lunar calendar, which is used in the Islamic world, the date varies every year in the Gregorian solar calendar. According to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad referred to this special night and the goodness of Allah, and motivated the people to stay awake at night and to fast during the day. Ramadan

5 May 5, 2018 June 4, 2019 Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is spent by Muslims fasting from dawn to sunset, and with extra prayers. While fasting Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. As the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Ramadan begins when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. The religious feast is celebrated during the entire month. Laylat al-qadr May 31, 2019 That night Allah sent the Koran to the Prophet Mohammad. The exact date of this night has never been exposed to the people by Allah. The majority of scholars, however, assumes that the correct date is the 27th night of the month of Ramadan. Due to the Islamic lunar calendar, the date varies in the Gregorian solar calendar every year. Eid al-fitr June 3-4, 2018 The Islamic festival is also calls Feast of Breaking the Fast, Bayram or Sugar Feast. It belongs to the most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Eid al-fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of dawn-to-sunset fasting. It is forbidden to fast during Eid al-fitr. Hindu Holidays Dhanteras November 5, 2018 Indian culture is one of the ancient and unique cultures in the world. India is often and justly described as a land of fairs and festivals. Every month of the calendar holds a festival that one can enjoy and celebrate. It is impossible to understand India, and her people fully without the

6 knowledge of Indian festivals. Festivals are India's pride and treasure. They are the fragrance of our religion. In the ancient India, festivals went hand in hand with religion. In one sense we may say that festival turned inward is religion and religion turned outward is festival. Thus, the festivals are so deeply imbued with our culture that we (Indians) have great adherent with them. Bhai Dooj November 9, 2018 A festival celebrated by Hindus of India and Nepal on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Kartika. It is celebrated during the Diwali or Tihar festival. Kartik Poornima November 23, 2018 Hindu and Jain holy festival, celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November December). It is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima. It is sometimes called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deepawali - the festival of lights of the gods. Geeta Jayanti December 18, 2018 The birthday of Bhagvad Gita, the sacred text of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the Shukla Ekadashi, 11th day of the waxing moon of Margashirsha month of the Hindu calendar. Dhanu Sankranti December 16, 2018

7 Dhanu Sankranti or Dhanu Sankraman is an auspicious day as per Hindu mythology and occurs when the Sun enters the Sagittarius sun sign or the dhanu rashi. It is of special importance in the state of Orissa where this day is celebrated with great joy. The start of Dhanur Mas is observed with special puja offered to Lord Jagannath. Dhanur Mas is said to start on makar Sankranti. This day is also celebrated by worshipping the Sun God. Maha Shivaratri March 4, 2019 Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva. It is a major festival in Hinduism, but one that is solemn and marks a remembrance of "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in life and the world. Holi March 20-21, 2019 Holi (also known as Phagwah or Bhojpuri) is celebrated on the Phalgun Purnima (or Pooranmashi, Full Moon) in the month of Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon day). The first evening is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Phagwah. Ram Navami April 14, 2019 Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Rama. The festival is a part of the spring Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra.

8 Rath Yatra July 4, 2019 Rath Yatra (sometimes Ratha Yatra or Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra) is a large annual festival originating in the city of Puri. Most of the city s society is based around the worship of Lord Jagannath (Krishna) with the ancient famous Jagannatha temple being the fulcrum of the area. Rath Yatra day is decided based on Hindu Lunar calendar and it is fixed on Dwitiya Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Ashada month. Currently, it falls in the months of June or July in the Gregorian calendar. Buddhist Holiday Mahayana New Year January 21-23, 2019 In Mahayana countries the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later. Bodhi day January 24, 2019 Buddhist we take the day to focus our commitment to the path by practicing longer meditation. Many Buddhist will recite the five precepts on the Bodhi day to help reaffirm their belief and conviction towards the path. A great way to get kids involved how the Buddha gained enlightenment. It is the essential day to plant and grow seeds of enlightenment of Buddha within you. Bodhi day is of importance to Buddhists being especially celebrated by Buddhists of the Pure Land, but participating in your own way can be noteworthy experience for any one of any culture.

9 Ritual Purification (Dugzhuuba) February 3, 2019 A special purification ceremony on the eve of the New Year. Since ancient times, the people who practice Buddhism, are very sensitive and serious about this rite. Parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni February 15, 2019 In Buddhism, the term parinirvana (Sanskrit: parinirvāṇa; Pali: parinibbāna) is commonly used to refer to nirvana-after-death, which occurs upon the death of the body of someone who has attained nirvana during his or her lifetime. It implies a release from the Saṃsāra, karma and rebirth as well as the dissolution of the skandhas. In some Mahāyāna scriptures, notably the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, Parinirvāṇa is described as the realm of the eternal true Self of the Buddha. Tibetan New Year (Losar) February 5-7, 2018 Losar is celebrated for 15 days, with the main celebrations on the first three days. On the first day of Losar, a beverage called changkol is made from chhaang (a Tibetan cousin of beer). The second day of Losar is known as King's Losar (gyalpo losar). Losar is traditionally preceded by the five day practice of Vajrakilaya. Because the Uyghurs adopted the Chinese calendar, and the Mongols and Tibetans adopted the Uyghur calendar, Losar occurs near or on the same day as the Chinese New Year and the Mongolian New Year, but the traditions of Losar are unique to Tibet, and predate both Indian and Chinese influences. Originally, ancient celebrations of Losar occurred solely on the winter solstice, and was only moved to coincide with the Chinese and Mongolian New Year by a leader of the Gelug school of Buddhism.

10 Mongolian New Year (Tsagaan Sar) February 5, 2019 The Mongolian Lunar New Year, commonly known as Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian: Цагаан сар /!"#"$ %"&'; Buryat: Сагаан һара; Oirat: Цаһан сар or literally White Moon), is the first day of the year according to the Mongolian lunar calendar. The festival of the lunar New Year is celebrated by the Mongols. The White Moon festival is celebrated one month after the first new moon following the winter solstice. Tsagaan Sar is one of the most important Mongolian holidays. 15 Wonders of the Buddha (Monlam Chenmo) February 5, 2019 Monlam Chenmo is a two-week period during which the Buddha performed various miracles. The two weeks of holy days are observed with the Tibetan Great Prayer Festival beginning on Tibetan New Year, and, on the final day - the Day of Miracles - many fesitvals and rituals are held. Sangha Day February 19, 2019 A holiday dedicated to the brotherhood of Buddhist monks and those who keep this doctrine. It is celebrated on the full moon of the first lunar month. Magha Puja February 19, 2019 Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of Māgha in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Tabodwe in Myanmar. The spiritual aims of the day are: not to commit any kind of sins; do only good; purify one's mind. Māgha Pūjā is a public holiday in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and

11 Thailand and is an occasion when Buddhists tend to go to the temple to perform merit-making activities. Choutrul Duchen March 02, 2019 Tibetan Buddhism is the body of religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Buddhism in Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Bhutan, Kalmykia, Buryatia and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, and India (particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Dharamsala, Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim). It is the state religion of Bhutan. It is also practiced in Mongolia and parts of Russia (Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva) and Northeast China. Religious texts and commentaries are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas. Tibetan Buddhism preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth century India. Tibetan Buddhism aspires to Buddhahood or rainbow body. Avalokitesvara's Birthday March 21, 2019 Buddhist holiday is especially popular in Nepal and Tibet. Celebrated on the full moon day of the second month of the lunar calendar. Thai New Year (Songkran) April 13-15, 2019 Songkran celebration is rich with symbolic traditions. The morning begins with merit-making. Visiting local temple and offering food to the Buddhist monks are commonly practiced; however, on this specific occasion, performing water pouring on Buddha statues is considered an iconic ritual for this holiday it represents purification and the washing away all of their sins and bad luck. As a festival of unity, people who have moved away usually return homes to their loved ones and elder family members.

12 Theravada New Year April 19, 2019 Theravada New Year - Buddhist festival celebrated followers of Theravada. Celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. During the festival at the monasteries and churches are built sand hills, symbolizing Mount Meru - the center of the universe and the abode of the deities in the Buddhist cosmology. On Buddha statues wearing robes, which are then distributed to the monks. In Burma and Laos, there is a custom to buy live fish and release it into the wild, thus showing compassion for living beings. In Thailand, made to pour water on each other with water and sprinkle Buddha statues. Kalachakra festival (Duynhor-Khural) April 19, 2019 The Duynhor-Khural is celebrated during three days, from 14th to 16th day of the third month of the lunar calendar (April-May). The main celebration falls on full moon day. During the days of the festival, solemn prayers (Khural) are held in monasteries by reading the Kalachakra Tantra laghu-raja treatise. A typical element of these prayers is that while reading the monks wear special head-dresses and use sacred objects which symbolize the elements of the Kalachakra Tantra teaching. During these days particular importance is given to reading mantras. Plowing day (Raek Na Khwan) May 22, 2019 An ancient royal rite held in many Asian countries to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season. The royal ploughing ceremony, called Lehtun Mingala or Mingala Ledaw, was also practiced in pre-colonial Burma until 1885 when the monarchy was abolished. Buddha's Birthday

13 May 11, 2019 The birthday of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mahayana Buddhism. According to the Theravada Tripitaka scriptures (from Pali, meaning "three baskets"), Gautama was born in Lumbini in modern-day Nepal, around the year 563 BCE, and raised in Kapilavastu. Vesak May 19, 2019 Also known as Buddha Purnima and Buddha Day, is a holiday observed traditionally by Buddhists on different days in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar and in other places all over the world. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada or southern tradition. Poson Poya Day June 17, 2019 Poson full-moon poya day (Poson Poya Day / Poson Festival) is celebrated the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, a festival of great historical and religious significance celebrated island-wide by Buddhists. Poson, held on the full moon day of June, commemorates the occasion over 2,000 years ago when Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Asoka of India, converted King Devanampiyatissa to Buddhism. The main center of celebration is Mihintale, the ancient monastic complex where the royal missionary monk Mahinda perched the first sermon to the ruling king and at Anuradhapura the ancient capital, to which large crowd of pilgrims converge. Mass religious observances, illuminations pageants are part of the celebrations. Dzam Ling Chi Sang June 17, 2019

14 It is the state religion of Bhutan. It is also practiced in Mongolia and parts of Russia (Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva) and Northeast China. Religious texts and commentaries are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas. Tibetan Buddhism preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth century India. Tibetan Buddhism aspires to Buddhahood or rainbow body. Jewish Holidays Sukkot September September A Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (late September to late October). It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Jews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Shmini Atzeret October 1, 2018 It is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (first month of calendar). In the Diaspora, an additional day is celebrated, the second day being separately referred to as Simchat Torah. In Israel and Reform Judaism, the holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined into a single day and the names are used interchangeably. Simchat Torah October 2, 2018 A celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. Simchat Torah is a component of the Biblical Jewish holiday of

15 ס Shemini Atzeret ("Eighth Day of Assembly"), which follows immediately after the festival of Sukkot in the month of Tishrei (mid-september to early October on the Gregorian calendar). Chanukah December 3-10, 2018 Known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Purim March 21, 2019 A Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). Pesach April 20-27, 2019 Passover (Hebrew: פ ח Pesach) commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which is in spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and is celebrated for seven or eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays. Shavuot June 9-10, 2019 The festival of Shavuot (or Shavuos, in Ashkenazi usage; Shabhuʿoth in Classical and Mizrahi Hebrew Hebrew: ש ב ו ע ו ת, lit. "Weeks") is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June). Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the

16 day God gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai, although the association between the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah) and Shavuot is not explicit in the Biblical text. The holiday is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer. Tish'a B'Av August 11, 2019 An annual fast day in Judaism, named for the ninth day (Tisha) of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. The fast commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred about 655 years apart, but on the same Hebrew calendar date. Tisha B'Av is never observed on Shabbat. If the 9th of Av falls on a Saturday, the fast is postponed until the 10th of Av.