Ridvan Festival Culture/religion: Bahá’í Date: April 20-May 1 Ridvan is a 12-day festival, celebrated as the most holy festival in the Bahai’ faith. The festival marks the anniversary of the days Bahá’u’lláh spent along the River Tigris in Baghdad. During those twelve days, in a garden he called “Ridvan,” meaning “paradise,” Bahá’u’lláh announced that he was God’s … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – April 19-25, 2021
Holi Culture/religion: Hindu Date: March 28 Holi, sometimes called “the festival of love” or “the festival of colors,” is one of the most revered and celebrated festivals in India. This is a day when people come together to forget all resentments and bad feelings toward others. The ritual of Holi begins by lighting a bonfire on the day prior to Holi; a process … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – March 22-28, 2021
Maha Shivaratri Culture/religion: Hindu Date: March 11 Maha Shivaratri is an annual celebration that falls on the new day in the Hindu month of Maagha, and is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. Though there are different origin stories for the festival, it is believed to be the day Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. Another belief holds that … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – March 8-14, 2021
Makar Sankranti Culture/religion: Hindu Date: January 14 Makar Sankranti is one of the major Hindu festivals in India. The festival is a religious celebration, as well as a seasonal observance signifying the winter solstice. On this day, devotees take a holy dip in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery to wash away their sins. It is also … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – January 11-17, 2021
Kristallnacht Culture/religion: Judaism Date: November 9-10 Kristallnacht (“Crystal Night” or “Night of Broken Glass”) commemorates the violent anti-Jewish demonstrations that broke out across Germany, Austria and the Sudentenland region of Czechoslovakia. For 48 hours, violent mobs destroyed hundreds of synagogues and burned or desecrated Jewish religious … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – November 9-15, 2020