Religious Observances

Mount Holyoke College has provided this list In support of our religiously diverse student population. Note that this list is not exhaustive. The Upcoming Observances tab shows the next 100 observances. The other tabs show observances for the three months as they are labeled.


We are indebted to the Multifaith Action Society and Kerry Maloney, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at Harvard Divinity School for their collective efforts to provide an invaluable resource to us.

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Fri, Jun 16, 2023

Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606) was the first Sikh Martyr and the fifth Guru. He built the Harimandir Sahib (Home of the Divine) in which Sikhs could meet to learn, in the town of Amritsar (Pool of...

Litha

Wed, Jun 21, 2023

Also called Midsummer's Eve, Litha celebrates the consummation of the sacred marriage in which the energy of the God is poured out in the service of life. His sacrifice, resulting in his total...

Ghambar Maidyoshem begins

Thu, Jun 29, 2023

Ghambar Maidyoshem (June 29 - July 4) celebrates the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crop and the harvesting of grain.

Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)

Mon, Jul 3, 2023

Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day) commemorates the BuddhaÕs first discourse, given to the five monks at the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and...

Ghambar Maidyoshem ends

Mon, Jul 3, 2023

Ghambar Maidyoshem (June 29 - July 4) celebrates the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crop and the harvesting of grain.

First of Muḥarram (New Year's Day)

Wed, Jul 19, 2023

The First of Muḥarram (first month of the Islamic year) celebrates the Ḥijra (migration) of Muḥammad and his followers in 622 CE, from Mecca to Medina, where they established the first Islamic...

Eve of Tisha B'Av

Wed, Jul 26, 2023

Observance begins at sundown. Tisha B'Av, the Ninth day of the month of Av, is a major fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in ancient times.

Day of Arafat/Day of Hajj

Thu, Jul 27, 2023

This day commemorates the last revelation to Prophet Muhammad at Mount Arafat shortly before his death. Muslims on _ajj (pilgrimage) attend a service on the plains in front of Mount 'Arafat....

Tisha B'Av

Thu, Jul 27, 2023

Tisha B'Av, the Ninth day of the month of Av, is a major fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in ancient times.

Āshūrā’

Fri, Jul 28, 2023

‘Āshūrā’ in Arabic means "the 10th", and is commemorated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram. For Sunni Muslims Āshūrā is a time to remember two of Allāh’s merciful acts: Noah's safe...

Lammas

Tue, Aug 1, 2023

(Also called Lughnasad) Lammas is the celebration of the grain harvest, the Harvest of First Fruits. Many traditions celebrate Lammas as the funeral of Lugh, the sun God whose strength is visibly...

Transfiguration (W, E - New Calendar)

Sun, Aug 6, 2023

Transfiguration celebrates the appearance of Jesus in a transfigured state during his earthly life to three of his disciples.

Transfiguration (E - Old / Julian Calendar)

Sat, Aug 19, 2023

Transfiguration celebrates the appearance of Jesus in a transfigured state during his earthly life to three of his disciples.

Raksha Bandhan

Wed, Aug 30, 2023

Raksha Bandhan (tying on protection) is a festival in which married and unmarried girls and women tie amulets on the wrists of their brothers for protection against evil.

Sri Krishna Jayanti

Thu, Sep 7, 2023

(Also called Janmashtami) celebrates the birthday of Krishna, the eighth of the 10 incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Krishna is considered the preserver of the universe and is one of HinduismÕs...

Ghambar Paitishem begins

Tue, Sep 12, 2023

Ghambar Paitishem (September 12 - 16) celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.

Paryushana-parva begins

Tue, Sep 12, 2023

The holiest period of the year for the ascetic Shvetambara sect. This 8 day period, concluding on Samvatsari, is a time of dedication to Jain ideals through fasting, worship of the Jina, and...

Eve of Rosh Hashanah

Fri, Sep 15, 2023

Observance begins at sundown. The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that...

Ghambar Paitishem ends

Sat, Sep 16, 2023

Ghambar Paitishem celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.

Rosh Hashanah

Sat, Sep 16, 2023

The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It...

Rosh Hashanah

Sun, Sep 17, 2023

The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It...

Paryushana-parva ends

Tue, Sep 19, 2023

The holiest period of the year for the ascetic Shvetambara sect. During this 8 day period, concluding on Samvatsari, it is a time of dedication to Jain ideals through fasting, worship of the Jina,...

Dashalakshani-parva begins

Wed, Sep 20, 2023

The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalakshani-parva for ten days (until September 2) by fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to a virtue: forgiveness, humility,...

Mabon

Sat, Sep 23, 2023

Also known as Harvest Home, Mabon celebrates life's encapsulation as a seed to survive the cold, barren winter and the Harvest of the Vine, which as wine symbolizes the Goddess' power to transform...

Eve of Yom Kippur

Sun, Sep 24, 2023

(Day of Atonement) Observance begins at sundown. The conclusion of the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the the Jewish year. It is characterized by...

Yom Kippur

Mon, Sep 25, 2023

(Day of Atonement) The conclusion of the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness.

Dashalakshani-parva ends

Fri, Sep 29, 2023

The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalakshani-parva for ten days (until September 2) by fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to a virtue: forgiveness, humility,...

Eve of Sukkot

Fri, Sep 29, 2023

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

First Day of Sukkot

Sat, Sep 30, 2023

(Feast of Booths) An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert wanderings and conscructed in...

Second Day of Sukkot

Sun, Oct 1, 2023

(Feast of Booths) An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert wanderings and conscructed in...

World Communion Sunday

Sun, Oct 1, 2023

Celebrated in Christian congregations around the world, annually, on the first Sunday in October when they can experience Holy Communion as a global faith community.

Last Day of Sukkot

Fri, Oct 6, 2023

(Feast of Booths) An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert wanderings and conscructed in...

Eve of Simcḥat Torah

Sat, Oct 7, 2023

Observance begins at sundown. Simcḥat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) is the beginning of the synagogue's annual Torah reading cycle. Reform Jews celebrate it along with Shemini Atzeret.

Shmini Atzeret

Sat, Oct 7, 2023

Shmini Atzeret (the Eighth Day of Assembly) is a separate holiday concluding Sukkot and the entire fall holiday season. It marks the beginning of winter in the land of Israel.

Simcḥat Torah

Sun, Oct 8, 2023

Simcḥat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) is the beginning of the synagogue's annual Torah reading cycle. Reform Jews celebrate it along with Shemini Atzeret.

Ghambar Ayathrem begins

Thu, Oct 12, 2023

Observed from October 12 - 16, this day celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.

Navaratri begins

Sun, Oct 15, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Birth of The Báb

Mon, Oct 16, 2023

The birth anniversary of The Báb (Herald of the new age for Bahá'ís). His shrine is at the Bahá'í World Centre, Haifa, Israel.

Ghambar Ayathrem ends

Mon, Oct 16, 2023

Observed from October 12 - 16, this day celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.

Navaratri

Mon, Oct 16, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Birth of Bahá'u'lláh

Tue, Oct 17, 2023

The anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.

Navaratri

Tue, Oct 17, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Navaratri

Wed, Oct 18, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Navaratri

Thu, Oct 19, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Instalation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Fri, Oct 20, 2023

This day celebrates the passing on of the Guruship to the Holy Scriptures (the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Navaratri

Fri, Oct 20, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Navaratri

Sat, Oct 21, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Navaratri

Sun, Oct 22, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Navaratri ends

Mon, Oct 23, 2023

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...

Dassehra

Tue, Oct 24, 2023

(Vijay Dasami) celebrates the victory of good over evil: of Lord Rama over the demon Ravan, and the Goddess Durga over a demon. It follows the nine-day celebration of Navaratri (nine nights) and...

Samhain

Tue, Oct 31, 2023

This day celebrates the Celtic New Year. The dying God returns to the womb of the Goddess in preparation for rebirth at Yule. The souls of those who have died during the turning of the past year's...

Diwali/Deepavali or Deepawali or Tihar (Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist celebration)

Sun, Nov 12, 2023

A very popular festival known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali (Deepavali/Deepawali/Tihar in Nepal) is dedicated to the Goddesses Kali in Bengal and Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth) in the rest of...

Mahavira Nirvana

Sun, Nov 12, 2023

On this day (falling on Diwali), Mahavira (6th century BCE), the 24th Tirthankara, attained nirvana and release from the cycle of rebirth (moksha).

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Fri, Nov 24, 2023

This day commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675), the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defence of the Sikh Faith, but also for willingly giving...

Day of the Covenant

Sun, Nov 26, 2023

This day celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of 'Abdul-Bahá, the son of Bahá'u'lláh, as the Centre of the Covenant.

Birthdate of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Mon, Nov 27, 2023

Founder of the Sikh faith and first of the Ten Gurus, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 CE. He was an accomplished poet; 974 of his hymns are contained in the Sikh Scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth...

Ascension of 'Abdul-Bahá

Tue, Nov 28, 2023

The Ascension of 'Abdul-Bahá, son of Bahá'u'lláh, commemorates His passing. Bahá'í's observe the Holy Day of the Ascension of 'Abdul-Bahá at 1:00 am, about the time of His ascension.

Advent begins (Christmas Fast: E - New Calendar)

Sun, Dec 3, 2023

The Christmas Fast is the 40 day period before Christmas, ending on Christmas Eve. The New Calendar locates Christmas on December 25, the Old Calendar on January 7. (Eastern Churches)

Eve of Ḥanukkah

Thu, Dec 7, 2023

Observance begins at sundown. The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces...

Bodhi Day

Fri, Dec 8, 2023

Anniversary of the historical Buddha's awakening. (Mahayana) Japan, North America

First Day of Ḥanukkah

Fri, Dec 8, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Ḥanukkah

Sat, Dec 9, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Ḥanukkah

Sun, Dec 10, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Ḥanukkah

Mon, Dec 11, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Tue, Dec 12, 2023

Commemorates the day on which Guadalupana (the Virgin of Guadalupe) appeared to San Juan Diego and her image appeared on his tilma (apron). The miraculous roses Juan Diego found and carried to the...

Ḥanukkah

Tue, Dec 12, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Ḥanukkah

Wed, Dec 13, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Ḥanukkah

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Last Day of Ḥanukkah

Fri, Dec 15, 2023

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Yule

Fri, Dec 22, 2023

This day, which marks the New Year in the Anglo-Saxon and northern traditions of Wicca, is the celebration of the birth of the God as the Winter-born King, symbolized by the rebirth of the...

Christmas Day

Mon, Dec 25, 2023

Christmas celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Christmas is given more importance in Western Christianity than in Eastern. College offices are closed. Accommodation may be required...

Death Anniversary of Zarathustra

Tue, Dec 26, 2023

The anniversary of the death of Zarathustra (Zoroaster), the founder of the Zoroastrian faith. His dates are uncertain: the ancient Greeks dated him at ca. 6000 BCE. Modern scholarship suggests he...

Ghambar Maidyarem begins

Sun, Dec 31, 2023

This period (December 31 - January 4) celebrates the creation of animals. It is also the time for equitable sharing of food.

Ghambar Maidyarem ends

Thu, Jan 4, 2024

Begins December 31 and runs to January 4. Ghambar Maidyarem celebrates the creation of animals and is a time for an equitable sharing of food.

Birthdate of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666 - 1708)

Fri, Jan 5, 2024

The tenth and final Sikh Guru, he created the Khalsa, the Fellowship of the Pure, and declared the Scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, to be the Sikh's Guru from that time on.

Armenian Christmas

Sat, Jan 6, 2024

The Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates the nativity of Jesus on Epiphany. Accommodation Possible may be required for this observance/holy day. Suspension of work/classes may be requested by...

Epiphany (W)

Sat, Jan 6, 2024

Known as the Feast of Theophany (appearance of God) in Orthodox churches, the Feast of Epiphany (appearance or manifestation) comes 12 days after Christmas and closes the Christmas season with a...

Theophany (E - New Calendar)

Sat, Jan 6, 2024

Known as the Feast of Theophany (appearance of God) in Orthodox churches, the Feast of Epiphany (appearance or manifestation) comes 12 days after Christmas and closes the Christmas season with a...

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Thu, Jan 18, 2024

An international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between January 18 - 25. It is actually an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days. See:...

Theophany (E - Old / Julian Calendar)

Fri, Jan 19, 2024

Those Orthodox churches which follow the Old (Julian) Calendar, according to which Christmas falls on January 7, celebrate the Feast of Theophany on January 19. It commemorates the appearance of...

Eve of Tu B'Shevat

Wed, Jan 24, 2024

Observance begins at sundown. One of four New Year's days, Tu B'Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing...

Tu B'Shevat

Thu, Jan 25, 2024

One of four New Year's days, Tu B'Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Nowadays, it is a...

Imbolc

Fri, Feb 2, 2024

Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and greatest gift of the Goddess. Many...

Losar - Tibetan New Year

Sat, Feb 10, 2024

Losar is celebrated for 15 days, with the main celebrations on the first three days.

Shrove Tuesday (W)

Tue, Feb 13, 2024

Shrove Tuesday occurs the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church. "Shrove" is the past tense of the word "shrive," which means to hear a confession, assign...

Ash Wednesday (W)

Wed, Feb 14, 2024

The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Lent

Wed, Feb 14, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Vasanta Panchami

Wed, Feb 14, 2024

A North Indian celebration, Vasanta Panchami is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth.

Lent

Thu, Feb 15, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Nehan-e (Nirvana Day)

Thu, Feb 15, 2024

Memorial of the historical Buddha passing away. (Mahayana) Japan, North America

Lent

Fri, Feb 16, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Lent

Sat, Feb 17, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).