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 most sacred period in the Jain calendar, especially for the Shvetambara sect. It involves eight days of spiritual renewal through fasting, prayer, meditation, and scriptural study focused on Lord Mahavira¡¯s teachings.

Accommodations recommended: Fasting is common; some undertake complete fasts or partial fasts. Work may be limited depending on individual practices and sect traditions.

Samvatsari

Jainism

The culmination of Paryushana, known as the Day of Forgiveness. Jains seek forgiveness for past wrongdoings through introspection, confession, and penance, often observing fasting and prayer.

Accommodations recommended: Many fast or follow light diets. Work accommodations are advised to allow for prayer and reflection.

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: No work or school. 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: Devotees may fast or follow specific diets; planning events should accommodate vegetarian meals.

Yom Kippur

Judaism

Day of Atonement¡ªthe holiest Jewish day of the year¡ªmarked by intensive prayer, introspection, and a 25-hour fast from sundown to nightfall.

Accommodations recommended: Two days of fasting, possible work/school 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).

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. Festival of Lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is often celebrated over multiple days.

Accommodations recommended: Hindu students & employees will likely request a vacation day on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested. (Hinduism food restrictions may 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. Begins at sundown.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Jain New Year

Jainism

Follows Diwali; marks the start of the Jain calendar with Snatra Puja and reflection.

Accommodations recommended: May request time off for temple worship and rituals.

Birth of Bah¨¢¡¯u¡¯ll¨¢h

Bah¨¢'¨ª

Honors the birth of Bah¨¢¡¯u¡¯ll¨¢h, the founder of the Bah¨¢¡¯¨ª Faith. Celebrated with prayer, music, and joy.

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 Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. A candle is lit every evening for thirty days, symbolic of enlightenment. Zen Buddhists often meditate all night.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Yule (Winter Solstice)

Pagan/Earth-centered Spirituality

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: Work and school closed.

Orthodox Christmas 

Christianity - Eastern Orthodox

Orthodox observation of Christmas, also called The Feast of the Nativity. Celebrates the Nativity of Jesus according to the Julian calendar, with fasting and liturgies.

Accommodations recommended: Fasting, possible work restrictions

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. Marks sun¡¯s transition into Capricorn; celebrated with feasting, kite flying, and rituals.

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

Pongal

Hinduism (Tamil)

Pongal is a traditional South Indian harvest festival, and is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar year. It is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu with cooking, cattle worship, and family gatherings.

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

Maha Shivaratri

Hinduism

Festival honoring Lord Shiva, commemorating his marriage to Goddess Parvati; night vigils and fasting.

Accommodations recommended: Fasting is common; some undertake complete fasts or partial fasts. Work may be limited depending on individual practices and sect traditions. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested. (Hinduism food restrictions may apply.)

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 at sundown or when the new moon is sighted.

Accommodations recommended: Flexible work/school breaks or shift substitution. 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).

Nawruz - Iran

Zoroastrianism

The day of the spring/vernal equinox marks the new year, and renewal and completion of a 19-day period of fasting and prayer.

Accommodations recommended: Flexible work/school breaks or shift substitution. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Nawruz will be fasting during the day (continuously for 19 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested.

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: Possibile request for flexible work/school breaks or shift substitution. Be sensitive to the fact that some students and employees celebrating Great Lent may have varying degrees of fasting during these 40 days, and may have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (meat dietary restrictions may apply).

Ash Wednesday

Christianity (Western)

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. 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 the arrival of spring and divine love of Radha and Krishna.

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

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

Birthday of Lord Mahavira, founder of Jainism; marked by temple visits and reflection on teachings.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Passover, Pesach 

Judaism

Week-long festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and liberation of Jewish people.

Accommodations recommended: Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply¡ªthe 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. Celebrates early summer and fertility; rituals include fire, dancing, honoring union of God and Goddess.

Accommodations recommended: N/A

Ascension of Baha'u'llah

Bah¨¢'¨ª

A commemoration of the death of Baha¡¯u¡¯llah. Begins at sundown.

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.

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