Shemini Atzeret 2024

Shemini Atzeret, (Hebrew: “Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly”), a Jewish religious festival on the eighth day of Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), considered by some to be an independent celebration immediately following Sukkoth. In Old Testament times a distinction was made regarding sacrifices: whereas 70 sacrifices were offered on the first seven days of Sukkoth to signify the “70 nations” constituting all humanity, […]

All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. It is celebrated on November 1 in the Western churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches. In Roman Catholicism, the feast is usually a holy day of obligation. It is part of the […]

Bandi Chhor Divas

Bandi Chhor Divas is an important celebration in the Sikh community. Bandi Chhor Divas literally translates to “prisoner’ release day.” Sikhs commemorate this day as the day of liberation for their Sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib along with 52 Hindu political prisoners detained during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Sourced from https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/bandi-chhor-divas-celebrating-the-liberation-of-the-sixth-sikh-guru-guru-hargobind/

Guru Gaddi

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, installed the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as Guru October 20, 1706. This day is celebrated today as “Guru Gaddi Day” each year. This is often celebrated with special Kirtan programs, Akhand Paths (continuous reading of the full Siri Guru Granth Sahib) and Sikh parades. At the time of […]

Guru Nanak Jayanti

This day celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder and first Guru of Sikhism. It is considered one of the most important Sikh holy days. Most Sikhs have traditionally celebrated Guru Nanak Jayanti in November, following the Nanakshahi calendar, However, some scholars believe it should be celebrated on Baisakhi Day, usually falling in […]

The Day of the Covenant

The Day of the Covenant is a Baha’i holy day honoring the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and, in particular, ‘Abdu’l-Baha (1844–1921) as the “Centre of the Covenant.” …the Covenant established by Baha’u’llah protects the Baha’i religion from schism. In anticipation of his eventual passing, Baha’u’llah called on all Baha’is to turn to ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’u’llah’s eldest son) […]

Advent 2024

Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”), in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. In Western churches, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day) and is the beginning of the liturgical year. In many Eastern churches, the Nativity Fast is a […]

Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)

Bodhi Day is being observed by Buddhists worldwide. The word "bodhi" originates from a verb that means "to awaken" or "awakened" in Pali and Sanskrit, two ancient Indian languages. It is commonly considered to indicate "enlightenment" in Buddhism. Bodhi Day honours the moment 2,600 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened, or awakened, to become the Buddha. Sourced from […]

Unduvap Poya (Sanghamitta Day)

Unduvap Poya is the last Full Moon Poya day of the year and commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka during the month of Unduwap with a Bo sapling from the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India, under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred […]

Christmas

Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. The corresponding terms in other languages—Navidad in Spanish, Natale in Italian, Noël in French—all probably denote nativity. The German word Weihnachten denotes “hallowed night.” Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and […]