The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Nineteen Day Fast - March 2-21, 2009 (Baha'i)  

Baha'is observe a period of fasting during the month of 'Ala or "Loftiness," which begins at sunset on March 1 and ends at sunset on March 20. The Baha'i fast involves abstaining from food, drink, and tobacco from sunrise to sunset each day. The purpose of the fast is to remember one's dependency on God and to learn detachment from material things.

Mawlid al-Nabi (The Birth of the Prophet) - March 9, 2009 (Islam)  

On the twelfth day of the third month, Rabi' al-Awwal, many Muslims commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Celebrations may include sharing food, attending lectures, participating in marches, and reading the Qur'an and devotional poetry. Some Muslims do not celebrate, feeling that this observance is an innovation that distracts from the true source of revelation. For others, it is a means to teach their communities about the Prophet Muhammad’s way of life, which all Muslims seek to emulate.

Purim - March 10, 2009 (Judaism)  

According to the Jewish Post of New York Online, "Purim is the most festive of Jewish holidays, a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim takes place on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar."

Holi - March 11-12, 2009 (Hinduism)  

Holi is a festive spring celebration dedicated to Krishna (to Kama in some parts of India) that involves throwing colored powder or water.

Spring Equinox - March 20, 2009 (Paganism)  

The Spring Equinox marks the time at which the day and the night are of equal lengths.

Jamshedi Navroz - March 21, 2009 (Zoroastrianism)  

Navroz is the Zoroastrian New Year. Contemporary Zoroastrians observe three distinct religious calendars: Fasli, Shenshai, and Kadmi. Accordingly, three New Year celebrations are observed. Jamshedi Navroz takes its name from King Jamshed, and occurs at the time of the Spring Equinox.

Spring Higan - March 22, 2009 (Buddhism)  

Higan is a weeklong Japanese Buddhist festival when people offer respect to the dead. It is celebrated twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall.

Sri Rama Navami - April 3, 2009 (Hinduism)  

Sri Rama Navami is the annual festival celebrating the birth of Rama and his marriage to Sita. It is observed on the ninth day (navami) of the waxing fortnight of the lunar month of March/April.

Shyunki Taisai - April 5, 2009 (Shinto)  

This is a Shinto spring ceremony. According to the Tsubaki Garand Shrine of America, "This is the most formal Ceremony, and one of the two times each year that the doors of the inner shrine (goshinden no tobira) are opened. Then after the most formal kencha...and food offerings, the shinto priests pray for everyone's health, happiness, safety and mutual prosperity (kyoson kyoei). Then the song will be offered to Okami."

Holy Week (Western) - April 5-11, 2009 (Christianity)
Great and Holy Week (Eastern) - April 12-18, 2009 (Christianity)  

This is the week preceding Easter in which the drama of the Christian story is recalled, from Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his crucifixion on Good Friday and the period of waiting for his resurrection.

Easter (Western) - April 12, 2009 (Christianity)
Pascha (Eastern) - April 19, 2009 (Christianity) 

This most important day in the Christian liturgical year marks the resurrection of Jesus. It is celebrated within various Christian denominations with religious services, shared meals, and activities for children.

Mahavira Jayanti - April 9-10, 2009 (Jainism)  

Mahavira Jayanti is the Birthday of Mahavira, the religious seer of the 6th century BCE, whose teachings of compassion and renunciation have formed the basis of the Jain tradition. In India, this day is a national holiday. Jains mark the occasion by bathing the image of Mahavira and performing dance-dramas on the fourteen dreams of Mahavira's mother before he was born.

Passover - April 9-15, 2009 (Judaism)  

Passover, or Pesakh in Hebrew, is a major Jewish holiday, also called "the festival of unleavened bread." During the eight days of the festival, Jews commemorate God's deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. They eat unleavened bread, or matzah, as did their ancestors who fled from Egypt. At the special ritual meal called the seder, the traditional narrative of Passover - found in the Passover Haggadah - is recounted.

Baisakhi - April 13, 2009 (Sikhism)  

Baisakhi, the Sikh New Year, is the most important celebration of the Sikh year. All across America, Sikhs will assemble at gurdwaras to celebrate, chant, and share a communal meal.

Ridvan - April 21 - May 2, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This 12-day period commemorates the last 12 days in exile the Baha'u'llah spent in the garden of Ridvan. Many Baha'is do not work on three of these days - the first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan.

Yom ha-Shoah - April 21, 2009 (Judaism)  

Yom ha-Shoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day has been added to the yearly Jewish calendar in order to remember the Holocaust, or Shoah, and thus to insure that such a crime against humanity will never be repeated. Most importantly, it is a day to remember what was lost.

Akshaya-tritiya - April 27, 2009 (Jainism)  

This holiday celebrates the breaking of the first yearlong fast of Tirhankara Lord Rishabha. Jains who have been fasting on alternate days for a half or a full year break their fast on this day.

Maidyozarem Gahambar - April 30 - May 4, 2009 (Zoroastrianism)  

This festival, one of six seasonal festivals celebrated annually by Zoroastrians, celebrates the winter crop harvest.

Beltane - May 1, 2009 (Paganism)  

Beltane is celebrated across the country by Pagan groups. It is a cross-quarter day, falling halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice, and marks the beginning of traditional summer.

Wesak - May 8-10, 2009 (Buddhism)  

The anniversary of the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) is a major Buddhist celebration, although the name and date of observance differs in the various traditions. In Theravadan Buddhism, this holiday celebrates simultaneously three great events - the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (bodily death and final liberation) of Siddhartha Gautama. For all Buddhists, the Buddha's birthday is an opportunity to visit the temple, think deeply about the meaning of Buddhahood, and once again commit oneself to Buddhist ideals.

Declaration of the Bab - May 23, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This holiday, which marks the beginning of the Baha'i faith in 1844, is a time for festive celebration.

Ascension of Baha'u'llah - May 29, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This holiday marks the anniversary of the death of Baha'u'llah, the prophet of the Baha'i Faith. Solemn, commemorative services are held in communities across the United States.

Shavuot – May 29-30, 2009 (Judaism)  

Originally an agricultural holiday, this day now also commemorates the anniversary of the revelation of the Torah.

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji - June 16, 2009 (Sikhism)  

Arjan, the first Sikh martyr, is remembered for his contributions to the scriptures and for emphasizing that the Sikh way is open to all.

Summer Solstice - June 21, 2009 (Paganism)  

The celebration of the summer solstice is a religious holiday that may be celebrated with a bonfire and other festivities to honor the longest day of the year.

Maidyoshem Ghambar - June 29 - July 3, 2009 (Zoroastrianism)  

This seasonal festival celebrates the planting of the summer crop.

Nagoshi no O Hari - June 30, 2009 (Shinto)  

Nagoshi no O Hari is one of two days during the yearly cycle for purification of the source of misfortune.

World Tibet Day - July 5, 2009 (Buddhism)  

This year marks the annual celebration of World Tibet Day and is celebrated in cities across the United States to increase awareness about Tibet. This event coincides with, and honors, the birthday of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Martyrdom of the Bab - July 9, 2009 (Baha'i)  

The Martyrdom of the Bab is one of the major Baha'i holy days, on which Baha'is refrain from work and attend a worship program.

Isra' and Mi'raj - July 20, 2009 (Islam)  

The "night journey" (isra') and "ascent" (mi'raj) of the Prophet Muhammad refer to the Islamic tradition when the angel Gabriel escorted Muhammad from the Ka'bah of Makkah to the sanctuary of Jerusalem. Muhammad led previous prophets in prayer and then ascended through the seven heavens. In the uppermost heaven, Muhammad was blessed with a vision of God.

Tisha B'Av - July 30, 2009 (Judaism)  

The Judaism 101 website explains that "Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av.”

Lammas - August 8, 2009 (Paganism)  

"Lammas, or Lughnassad, occurs in late July and early August. It is marks the middle of summer and the beginning of the harvest. It is the first of three harvest festivals and is usually associated with ripening grain. It heralds the coming of autumn. The Goddess manifests as Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and other agricultural Goddesses. The God manifests as Lugh, John Barleycorn, and vegetation Gods. Colors are Golden Yellow, Orange, Green, and Light Brown. It is a festival of plenty and prosperity."

Fravardeghan Days - August 13-22, 2009 (Zoroastrianism)  

Fravardeghan Days, also known as Muktad (memorializing ancestors) are ten days in preparation for Naw Ruz, observed by Zoroastrians who follow the Shenshai calendar.

First Day of Paryushana-parva - August 17, 2009 (Jainism)
Samvatsari - August 24, 2009 (Jainism)  

This period is a time of intensified dedication to Jainist ideals and is regarded as the holiest time of the year. Festivals include fasting, Jina worshipping, and public reading from the Kalpasutra of the life-story of Lord Mahavira. This holiday is celebrated for eight days by the Shvetambara sect, concluding on Samvatsari.

Ramadan (30 days) – August 21 – September 19, 2009 (Islam)  

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month, Muslims observe a fast from dawn to sunset. The fast of Ramadan encourages self-restraint, consciousness of God, compassion, and collective worship.

Ganesha Chaturthi - August 23, 2009 (Hinduism)  

Ganesha Chaturthi is the annual festival of Ganesha, the Lord of Beginnings, and is held at the end of the summer. Festivities may include the consecration of clay images of Ganesha and a procession that carries the images to the sea.

Martyrdom of John the Baptist - August 29, 2009 (Christianity)  

This holiday commemorates the martyrdom of John the Baptist, a biblical figure important to many Christians.

Ghambar Paitishem - September 12-16, 2009 (Zoroastrianism)  

This is a seasonal festival celebration of the creation of the Earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.

Navarathri - September 19, 2009 (Hinduism)  

This fall festival, which literally means nine nights, is also known as Durga Puja for the worship of the goddess Durga.

Rosh Hashanah - September 19-20, 2009 (Judaism)  

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a sacred time to reflect on the year that has gone by and to affirm the year to come.

Eid al-Fitr - September 20, 2009 (Islam)  

Eid al-Fitr is the Festival of Fast-Breaking that is observed after the month-long fast of Ramadan. Some Muslims perform acts of charity on this day. It is a time to visit with friends and relatives, with celebrations sometimes extending over a few days. Children may receive gifts, and parents teach about the joys of following the Islamic obligations of fasting, prayer, and reading the Qur'an.

Fall Equinox - September 22, 2009 (Paganism)  

Pagans celebrate the Fall Equinox, a time of balance as the season changes from summer to fall.

Yom Kippur - September 28, 2009 (Judaism)  

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a time for the confession of sins of the individual and the community. It is a day of solemn fasting, culminating in forgiveness and reconciliation. Together Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur make up the Days of Awe, a significant time in the Jewish year.

Sukkot - October 3-9, 2009 (Judaism)  

Sukkot is the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles. During this holiday, outdoor structures are raised to remind Jews of the huts they lived in while they were in the wilderness.

Deepavali (Diwali) - October 17, 2009 (Hinduism)  

Known as the "festival of lights," Deepavali is perhaps the most popular Hindu festival. It is dedicated to several deities, and Hindus traditionally adorn their homes and temples with many lights.

Birth of the Bab - October 20, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This Baha'i holy day commemorates the birth of the Bab, a founder of the Baha'i faith. Baha'is generally do not work on holy days, and their celebrations are open to the public.

Samhain - October 31, 2009 (Paganism)  

Samhain is the end of the Pagan year, a time when "the veils between the worlds are thin."

Birthday of Guru Nanak - November 2, 2009 (Sikhism)  

Sikhs commemorate the birthday of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the first teacher of the community of disciples that became known as the Sikhs. His songs in praise of the formless and transcendent God are a cherished part of the Sikh scripture, the Adi Granth.

Birthday of Baha'u'llah - November 12, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This Baha'i holiday commemorates the birth of Baha'u'llah, the divine messenger and founder of the faith. Baha'is attend a worship program on the evening of the 11th and refrain from work on the 12th.

Shichi-Go-San - November 15, 2009 (Shinto)  

This is a Shinto celebration for young boys and girls. In this celebration, "the children take part in a ceremony ...whose meaning is gratitude for life's blessings and the request for future protection and good fortune."

Day of the Covenant - November 26, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This day commemorates the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Baha as the center of the Baha'i faith.

Eid al-Adha - November 27, 2009 (Islam)  

Muslims throughout the world pray with pilgrims in Makkah to observe Eid al-Adha. This is the Feast of the Sacrifice, a four-day observance in memory of God's sparing of Ismail (Ishmael), Abraham's son. It includes sermons, the giving of presents, and special dinners with friends and relatives.

Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha - November 28, 2009 (Baha'i)  

This Baha'i holiday commemorates the death of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

Bodhi Day - December 8, 2009 (Buddhism)  

The Buddhist Temple of Chicago writes, "Bodhi Day - Usually observed December 8 or the Sunday immediately preceding, it is the date, according to Mahayana tradition, of Siddhartha Gautama's realization and presentation to his fellow seekers of the Four Noble Truths."

Chanukah - December 12 - December 19, 2009 (Judaism)  

Chanukah on the Web describes this holiday as "the Festival of Lights, ... a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days."

Yule - December 21, 2009 (Paganism)  

The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, is the holiday celebrating the rebirth of the Sun in the Pagan year. At this time of year many Pagans in the Northern Hemisphere gather together to rejoice in the returning light to the Earth, and take part in a ritual celebrating the longest night and the cycle of the seasons.

Christmas Day - December 25, 2009 (Christianity)  

This celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, is held around the globe.

Maidyarem Gahambar – December 31, 2009 – January 4, 2010 (Zoroastrianism)  

This mid-winter festival celebrates the creation of animals; Zoroastrians celebrate by feasting with an emphasis on the equitable sharing of food.