Religious Public Holidays

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

Christianity:

Christmas: December 25th. Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Easter: Varies from year to year, usually in March or April. Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Good Friday: The Friday before Easter Sunday. Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Islam:

Eid al-Fitr: Varies from year to year, depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. Celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.

Eid al-Adha: Varies from year to year, depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. Commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

Mawlid al-Nabi: Varies from year to year, depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. Celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

Judaism:

Passover: Varies from year to year, usually in March or April. Commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

Hanukkah: Varies from year to year, usually in December. Celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Yom Kippur: Varies from year to year, usually in September or October. The Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and repentance.

Hinduism:

Diwali: Varies from year to year, usually in October or November. The Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Holi: Varies from year to year, usually in February or March. The Festival of Colors, celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.

Navratri: Varies from year to year, usually in September or October. Nine-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

Buddhism:

Vesak/Buddha Day: Varies from year to year, usually in May. Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.

Asalha Puja Day: Varies from year to year, usually in July. Celebrates the Buddha's first sermon.

Magha Puja Day: Varies from year to year, usually in February or March. Commemorates a gathering of 1,250 of the Buddha's disciples to hear a sermon.

Sikhism:

Vaisakhi/Baisakhi: April 13th or 14th. Commemorates the formation of the Khalsa (the Sikh brotherhood) by Guru Gobind Singh.

Shinto:

Shinto New Year: January 1st. Celebrates the beginning of the New Year.

Shichi-Go-San: November 15th. A celebration for children who have reached the ages of 3, 5, and 7.

Taoism:

Qingming Festival/Tomb-Sweeping Day: April 4th or 5th. A day for remembering and honoring ancestors.

Dragon Boat Festival: Varies from year to year, usually in June. Celebrates the life and death of Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet.

Jainism:

Mahavir Jayanti: Varies from year to year, usually in April. Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara (enlightened being) of Jainism.

Paryushana: Varies from year to year, usually in August or September. A time for reflection and self-purification.

Zoroastrianism:

Nowruz: March 21st or 22nd. The Persian New Year, celebrating the arrival of spring.

Yasna: Varies from year to year. A time for spiritual purification and renewal.

These are just a few examples of the many religious holidays celebrated around the world. Each religion has its own unique set of holidays and observances that are important to its followers.