Past Events & Festivals

Holi (28 February 2010) - Hinduism, Hindu spring festival also called the Festival of Colours where bonfires are also lit to commemorate the attempt to burn prince Prahalad to death due to his devotion to Vishnu. The story attests to the victory of good over evil.

Purim (28 February 2010) - Judaism, Remembering the bravery of a Jewish women called Esther, who saved the Jewish people in Persia from extermination.

Eid Milad un Nabi (26 February 2010) - Islam, Celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad(saw) which began to be observed over 4 centuries after his death. Among Muslims, the Hijrah is more significant that the birthday of the Prophet(saw).

Ash Wednesday (17 February 2010) - Christianity, First day of the Christian fast of Lent marking the time that Jesus(as) spent in the wilderness. Originally this was a fast, but in modern times, Christians abstain from certain foods for 40 days.

Chinese New Year (14 February 2010) - General, The origin of Chinese New Year is centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most.

Mahashivratri (12 February 2010) - Hinduism, Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva.

Parinirvana (08 February 2010) - Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the death of Buddha(as). Parinirvana is considered to b the final nirvana of a devotee who has attained complete awakening.

Birthday of Guru Har Rai (31 January 2010) - Sikhism, Birthday of Guru Har Rai (1630-1661) who was the seventh of the Gurus and known for his compassion for animals and plants.

Tu B’Shevat (30 January 2010) - Judaism, Jewish New Year for trees and one of four new years mentioned in the Mishnah.

Vasant Panchami (20 January 2010) - Hinduism, Dedication to Saraswati, Brahma’s wife and worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of knowledge, music and art.

Makar Sankrant (14 January 2010) - Hinduism, Celebration of the Winter Solstice in India marked through the giving of balls of sesame sweets to encourage nicer behaviour in the coming year.

Christmas Day (07 January 2010) - Christianity, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on this date rather than December 25th.

Epiphany (06 January 2010) - Christianity, Celebration feast day marking the revelation of God in human form. Some mark Jesus’ baptism, and others the visit of the 3 wise men. Armenians celebrate this as their Christmas Day.

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (05 January 2010) - Sikhism, Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) who became the final Sikh Guru at the tender age of nine. He established the Sikh Khalsa (baptized and pure disciples) and declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the holy book of the Sikhs.

Oshogatsu (01 January 2010) - Shintoism, Shinto new year celebration in Japan.

Ashura (27 December 2009) - Islam, 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram observed by Shias as a holy day commemorating the martyrdom of Hadhrat Hussain(ra), the grandson of the Holy Prophet(saw) at the battle of Karbala in 680 CE.

Christmas Day (25 December 2009) - Christianity, Celebration of the birth of Jesus(as) to the virgin Mary.

Winter Solstice (21 December 2009) - Paganism, Shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere which is celebrated at signicant sites such as Stonehenge.

Al-Hijra (18 December 2009) - Islam, Islamic New Year marked in history by the day on which the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) migrated from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE.

10th Tevet (17 December 2009) - Judaism, Jewish fast day which is related to the siege of Jerusalem in 588 BCE by the Persian King Nebuchadnezzar. It would be another Persian, Cyrus the Great, who would restore the Temple to the Jews.

Hannukkah (12 December 2009) - Judaism, Festival of Lights commemorating the restoration of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by the Maccabees c.164 BCE.

Bodhi Day (08 December 2009) - Buddhism, Celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment (Nirvana) under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya in India.