Religious observance calendar

Pateti, Parsi New Year

Zoroastrianism

The festive and cheerful holiday "Nawruz" signals the start of the Zoroastrian calendar and is observed by the Parsi community in India and globally. It's a period for fresh starts, introspection, and sharing love and joy with loved ones.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Paryushana Parva

Jainism

The holiest period of the year for the Shvetambara sect. It includes fasting, worship, and reading the life story of Lord Mahavira from the Kalpasutra. It is celebrated over eight days ending on Samvatsari.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year

Judaism

The first of the High Holy days or Days of Awe. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and services.

Accommodations recommended: If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Navaratri 

Hinduism

Nine day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil and the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, occurs twice a year because it honors the prominent transition points of the seasons – spring and autumn

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Yom Kippur

Judaism

The holy day of atonement is observed with repentance and strict fasting.

Accommodations recommended: Fasting, possible work restrictions

Sukkot

Judaism

Commemorates the period in which the children of Israel wandered in the desert. People live and eat in temporary dwellings during the festival.

Accommodations recommended: If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Samhain 

Pagan/Earth-centered Spirituality

Samhain marks the beginning of the Pagan year; a time to search for wisdom and guidance and to honor the dead. 

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)

Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism

Primary day (day 3) of a 5 day festival of lights that shine on the darkest night of the year. Diwali is the festival of Lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Accommodations recommended: Hindu students and employees will likely request a vacation day on this date.

New Year

Jainism

After celebrating Diwali at the end of the month of Ashwina, Jains celebrate new year. Ritual of Snatra Puja is performed at the temple.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá'í

Celebrates the birth of the Baha’i founder and Messenger of God. The day includes prayers, a feast, and music, and work is suspended.

Accommodations recommended: Baha’i students & employees will likely request to have this day off.

Guru Nanak Jayanti, Parkash Guru Nanak

Sikhism

A Punjabi festival commemorating Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday, the first of the Ten Gurus.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Rohatsu (Bodhi Day/Awakening)

Buddhism

Celebration of the enlightenment of the Buddha. A candle is lit every evening for thirty days, symbolic of enlightenment.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Yule (Winter Solstice)

Pagan

Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. This time is celebrated as the “return of the Sun God” where he is reborn of the Goddess.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Christmas

Christianity

Celebrating and commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Orthodox Christmas 

Christianity - Orthodox

Accommodations recommended: Fasting, possible work restrictions

Orthodox observation of Christmas, also called The Feast of the Nativity.

Makar Sankranti 

Hinduism

Makar(a) Sankranti is the only Hindu festival based on the solar calendar instead of the lunar. Makar Sankranti is the celebration of the sun's journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an auspicious time. 

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Pongal

Hinduism

Pongal is a traditional South Indian harvest festival, and is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar year.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Maha Shivaratri

Hinduism

Festival in honor of Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Ramadan

Islam

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, devoted to fasting from first light to sunset. Many Muslims also perform additional daily prayers during this month. This is the holiest period of the Islamic Year, when the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) reception of the divine revelation, the Qur’an, is commemorated. Begins when the new moon is sighted.

Accommodations recommended: Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

Great Lent

Christianity - Orthodox

The church’s longest, strictest and most important fasting time. It runs from Clean Monday, seven weeks before Pascha, through Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday.

Accommodations recommended: Fasting
 

Ash Wednesday

Christianity

The first day of the season of Lent (see below.) It is a solemn day when Christians are invited to contemplate their own mortality, and remember that they are dust. To mark this remembrance, an ash cross is marked on participants' foreheads during the service.

Accommodations recommended: Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products.

Holi

Hinduism

Marking the beginning of spring in celebration of color and love, and commemorating deities Radha and Krishna’s divine love.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Eid al-Fitr

Islam

Festival of breaking the month-long fast of Ramadan, and celebration of gratitude to Allah. Begins 3 days of family, friends, food, prayer and presents.

Marks the end of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to God; it involves wearing the finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions. Begins at sundown.

Accommodations recommended: Students and employees will likely ask to take a vacation day on this day, and that request should be granted if at all possible.  If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

Mahavir Jayanti

Jainism

Festival honoring Lord Mahavira on the founder’s birthday. Shrines are visited and teachings are reviewed and reflected upon.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Passover, Pesach 

Judaism

Week long festival commemorating the emancipation of Jewish peoples and remembrance of the Exodus from ancient Egypt.

Accommodations recommended: Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—the use of leavening is prohibited so, for example, matzah is eaten in place of bread.)

April 14

Vaisakhi

Sikhism

The anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa. On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji removed the clerical system in Sikhism, reaffirming the direct connection between the Sikhs and the Divine.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Good (Holy) Friday

Christianity

Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, when he died on a Roman cross.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Easter

Christianity

The culmination of the Lenten fast, this festival celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, three days after his death on a cross. Believed to be the heart of Christian forgiveness and assurance of an afterlife.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Beltane (May Eve)

Pagan/Earth-centered Spirituality

Midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice, honoring the beginning of spring and the union of the God and Goddess.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Ascension of Baha'u'llah

Bahá'í

A commemoration of the death of Baha’u’llah. Begins at sundown 5/27.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Eid al-Adha 

Islam

Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to God. It also commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Begins at sundown 6/6.

Accommodations recommended: If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).