May 

May - Yansa'altt in Aboriginal Spirituality - Yansa’altt is celebrated by Nisga'a people of the Nass Valley in northwest British Columbia. It is the season when the woods are fragrant with berry blossoms that will yield the fruit in the summer. The berry crops are essential for the coming winter.

May 1 - Beltane in Wicca - Celebrated by Wiccans, Beltane is one of the four major sabbats (seasonal days of celebration). Beltane is a word that refers to the 'fire of the Celtic God of light.' This sabbat is the last of the spring fertility festivals, when nature is blooming and full of life. Beltane has also been known as May Day, as it is traditionally celebrated on May 1 with May pole dances. Another custom is to make a small bel-fire (a bonfire, or light a few candles) and either leap over the flames or walk between two bonfires for fertility and prosperity.

May 2 - 12^th Day of Ridvan in Bahá'í - The 12^th Day of Ridvan concludes this important Bahá’í festival. The festival of Ridvan, considered the "most great festival" in Bahá’í, is a 12-day celebration that starts at sunset April 20 and runs until sunset May 2. The most important date on the Bahá’í calendar, Ridvan (pronounced "Riz-wan") commemorates the public declaration of the prophethood of Baha'u'llah, the acknowledged founder of the Bahá’í faith. The first, ninth and 12th days of Ridvan are all major Bahá’í holy days. These days are marked by communal prayers and celebrations and are days on which work is suspended.

May 2 - Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) in Christianity (J) - Holy Thursday is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with his followers. This day is known as Maundy Thursday in the Eastern Church which will be celebrated on the 2nd.  On the evening of Maundy Thursday, Christians remember Judas' betrayal of Jesus in the Garden     of Gethsemane. In the Western Church, Lent officially ended at sundown on March 28^th , Holy Thursday.  Followers mark this period with prayer, fasting and abstinence.

May 3 - Good Friday (Holy Friday) in Christianity (J) - Good Friday commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is a day of mourning for followers of the faith. During special Good Friday services, Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.  The Orthodox and Eastern Rite followers of Christianity will celebrate Good Friday on May 3^rd this year. 

May 5 - Easter or Pascha in Christianity (J) - Easter, also known as Pascha, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians attend special church services to celebrate the resurrection. In Eastern Christianity, the oldest and most important festival of the Christian year, it initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost. In Eastern Orthodox churches, the church year begins with Pascha. The holiday's name is derived from Pesach, the Hebrew name of Passover. While its origins are religious, many Easter customs are less serious and have more to do with celebrating the beginning of spring: Some of the traditional celebrations include:

·        painting eggs in bright colours and pretty designs

·        arranging/participating in Easter egg hunts

·         giving and receiving chocolate Easter bunnies

 May 6 - Easter Monday in Christianity (J) - Easter Monday is the day following Easter and is celebrated as a holiday by followers of Christianity. Adherents celebrate it with many traditions depending on their country of origin. Egg rolling competitions and dousing each other with water are a few of the traditional celebrations. 

May 9  - Ascension in Christianity - Forty days after Easter, Christians following western church celebrate Jesus' ascension from Earth into heaven. The day is observed with worship, including prayers and music.

May 10 or 24 - Jashn-e-Sadeh in Zoroastrianism - Jashan-e-Sadeh, also known as the Feast of Fire, is a highly religious festival for Zoroastrian followers of the  Shenshahi and Qadimi calendars. The festival involves collecting wood by all in the community, and then lighting the bonfire after blessing the community to drive back the winter.

May 13 - Akshaya-tritiya in Jainism - Akshaya-tritya (Immortal Third) celebrates the day when Lord Rishabha broke his first year-long fast by drinking sugar cane juice.  Jains who fast on alternate days for six months, or a year, break their fast by sipping fresh sugar cane juice. People who perform the austerity of Varsitap (fasting for a year on alternate days or longer period at a time) complete the austerity on this day by taking sugar cane juice. This day is considered to be very auspicious for going on a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay (located in Gujarat, India).

Eve of May 14 to May 16 - Shavuot in Judaism - Shavuot, also known as Pentecost, marks the conclusion of the period of seven weeks that follows Pesach (Passover). Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The observance of Shavuot begins at sunset on May 14 and is celebrated for one or two days based on the adherents' beliefs. Specific scriptures are read in the synagogue to commemorate Shavuot.

 May 17 or 18 - Sakyamuni Buddha's Birthday in Buddhism - On this day, Buddhists celebrate the birth of the founder of their religion. Siddhartha Gautama was born in the sixth century BCE, a prince of a north kingdom in ancient India. According to Buddhist scriptures, he was so concerned about the inequities of human life that when he was 29, he gave up his royal position, left home and strove to live a virtuous life. At age 35, he attained enlightenment and became Sakyamuni Buddha. He died at the age of about 80, and left a number of his students who continued to study and spread Buddhism all over the world. Buddhists celebrate this day by visiting temples to make offerings of prayers, incense, fruits, flowers and donations.

May 17 - the month of 'Azamat in Bahá'í  - In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God. May 17 is the Feast Day for the beginning of 'Azamat, the fourth month of the Bahá'í calendar, signifying "grandeur." The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day.

May 19 - Pentecost in Christianity - In western Christian churches, Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' disciples following his ascension. It is often referred to as “The Birthday of the Church.” As the name suggests, it falls on the 50^th day after Easter. It is a traditional day for baptism and confirmation of new Christians.

May 20 - Victoria Day in Canada - Canadians celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday on the Monday proceeding May 24 which is the actual birthday of the Sovereign. The holiday was declared by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845.

Eve of May 22 to May 23 - Declaration of the Báb in Bahá'í - Siyyid Alí Muhammád declared himself to be the Báb, or "Gate of God," at two hours and eleven minutes after sunset on the evening of May 22, 1844 in the Persian city of Shiraz. Members of the Bahá'í faith believe that the Báb was the herald and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh, the messenger of God for this age. The date of his declaration marks the beginning of the Bahá'í faith and calendar. Every year on this date, Bahá'ís around the world gather to commemorate this event. They abstain from work on this day.

May 25 - Wesak Day/Buddha Day in Buddhism - For followers of Buddhism, mainly in Sri Lanka, Wesak is the major festival of the year, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the day of the first full moon in May (except in a leap year when the festival is held in June). Adherents visit temples and pay homage to the Buddha with candles, flowers and incense. Chanting and prayers are important part of the day.

May 25 - Zarathosht-no-Diso in Zoroastrianism - On May 25, Zoroastrians following the Shenshahi calendar, commemorate the anniversary of the death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), the founder of their faith. Scholars say he lived between 1500 and 1000 bce in northeast Iran.

May 29 - Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh in Bahá'í - This date commemorates the death in 1892 of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith. This anniversary is a day of rest and is often observed by prayers and readings. Bahá'ís suspend work on this day.

April

April - Mmaal in Aboriginal Spirituality - Mmaal is celebrated by Nisga'a people of the Nass Valley in northwest British Columbia. It is the season when rivers again become accessible after winter. The Nisga'a people can launch their canoes and resume travel on the Nass River.

Sunset of March 25 to April 2 - Pesach (Passover) in Judaism - Pesach, or Passover, commemorates the liberation of the Jews from Egypt and slavery. It is celebrated for eight days. Pesach begins at dusk (before sundown) on March 25^th. The first and last days of the festival are full holidays - work is not done by followers.A highlight is the Seder (meaning "order") meal held in each family’s home on the first evening of Pesach, when the story of their deliverance is recounted as narrated in the Haggadah (the Telling, the Story). Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival, as are other foods that contain no leaven and are symbolic to the struggle. There is a great spring cleaning in the home before the festival to ensure that no trace of leaven is left in the home during Pesach.

April 1 - Easter Monday in Christianity and Canada - Easter Monday is the day following Easter and is celebrated as a holiday by followers of Christianity. Roman Catholics celebrate it with many traditions depending on their country of origin. Egg rolling competitions and dousing each other with water are a few of the traditional celebrations. 

Sunset of April 7 to 8 – Yom HaShoah in Judaism - This Holocaust remembrance day is a Jewish holiday. “Shoah" is the Hebrew word for destruction and is another name for the Holocaust. The anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 is the date chosen to commemorate the six million Jews who died during World War II. In Israel, a morning siren sounds stopping all activity, and people stand in honour of those who died. Jews around the world hold memorials and vigils, often lighting six candles in honour of the six million Holocaust victims. Many hold name-reading ceremonies to memorialize those who perished.

April 8 - Farvardegan in Zoroastrianism - Zoroastrians following Fasli calendar celebrate this ten day Farvardingan festival honouring the dead. Followers of the faith believe that guardian angels of humans and spirits of departed souls (fravashis) return to earth during this period and accept the hospitality of relatives.

April 9 to 27 - the month of Jalál in Bahá'í - In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God.  April 9 is the Feast Day for the beginning Jalál, the second month of the Bahá'í calendar, signifying "glory." The Bahá’í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day.

April 10 or 11 - Vasant Navaratri in Hinduism - Chaitra Navratri (April 10 to 18) begins from this day. This festival is observed twice a year, in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja (September). It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of goddess Durga. During Navratri (the word literally means "nine nights"), devotees of Hinduism observe a fast and undertake religious activities like puja.

April 10 - Jashn-e-Sadeh in Zoroastrianism - Jashan-e-Sadeh, also known as the Feast of Fire, is a highly religious festival for Zoroastrian followers of the Qadimi calendar. The festival involves collecting wood by all in the community, and then lighting the bonfire after blessing the community to drive back the winter.

April 13 or 14 - Saka and New Year’s Day in Buddhism and Hinduism - The Saka calendar’s New Year’s Day is a religious and cultural celebration for Sri Lankan, Indian, Burmese, Kampuchean, Laotian and Thai Buddhists. The Saka calendar is a lunar calendar based on the Hindu astronomy of the holy Vedas.This New Year's Day is celebrated also by Hindus in many Southeast Asia countries, such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia over two days. The exact date of celebration is determined by astrologers. New Year's Day observations, traditions and customs vary based on adherent's country however common to all are feasts, gift giving, religious ceremonies and spending time with family and friends.

April 13 or 14 - Vaisakhi or Baisakhi in Sikhism and Hinduism  - Celebrated throughout India, Baisakhi has special importance for Sikhs. On this day in 1699, Sikhs believe that Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, created the Khalsa Panth, the Brotherhood of the Pure. On this day, the farmers also commence cutting their harvest.This is the holiest day of the year for followers of Sikhism. It signifies the beginning of the Sikh New Year. The day is celebrated with Bhangra and Gidda dances.Sikhs celebrate this day by visiting gurudwaras and distributing kada prasad. Processions led by the Panj Piaras or the five religious men, are taken out. Kirtans and recital of passages from the Granth Sahib are also organized in gurudwaras.Vaisakhi, the first day of the Hindu solar year, is celebrated differently in the many regions of India. The farming communities in the northern states of India celebrate it as an agricultural and harvest festival. For people in Himachal Pradesh, it is a religious celebration and for many others - Bengal and southern states it is the New Year's Day.

April 19 or 20 - Shri Ramnavami in Hinduism - Ramanavmi celebrates the birth of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. He is the hero of Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic of 24,000 stanzas. A continuous recital of the book takes place for about a week prior to the celebration and on the day itself, the highlights of the story are read in temples.Many communities and temples celebrate this festival for nine days, beginning from Gudipadwa—the first day (pratipada) of the month of Chaitra.Celebrations on the day begin with a prayer to the sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. In northern India especially, an event that draws popular participation is the Ramanavmi procession or Ramleela – depiction by drama/play.

Sunset of April 20 to May 2 - Ridvan in Bahá'í - The festival of Ridvan, considered the "most great festival" in Bahá'í, is a 12-day celebration that starts at sunset April 20 and runs until sunset May 2. The most important date on the Bahá'í calendar, Ridvan (pronounced "Riz-wan") commemorates the public declaration of the prophethood of Baha'u'llah, the acknowledged founder of the Bahá'í faith. The first, ninth and 12th days of Ridvan are all major Bahá'í holy days. Bahá'ís suspend work on the ninth day (April 29).

April 23 - Mahavir Jayanti in Jainism - Mahavira-Jayanti is the festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavira, who was the 24^th and the last Jain Tirthankara (enlightened soul). He was born on the 13^th day of the rising moon in the month of Chaitra (March/April) in 599 BCE in India. Jain temples all over the world are decorated with flags for the occasion. On his birth anniversary, the followers of the faith observe the day by visiting temples, offering prayers, reaffirming their beliefs, meditating and listening to discourses on Mahavira's life and teachings.  Mahavira-jayanti is celebrated not only to mark the birthday of Mahavira, but also to inculcate his teachings in one’s life. Mahavira preached that right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-gnana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra) together is the real path to attain the liberation of one's self.

 April 23 - Akshaya-tritiya in Jainism - Akshaya-tritya (Immortal Third) celebrates the day when Lord Rishabha broke his first year-long fast by drinking sugar cane juice.  Jains who fast on alternate days for six months, or a year, break their fast by sipping fresh sugar cane juice. People who perform the austerity of Varsitap (fasting for a year on alternate days or longer period at a time) complete the austerity on this day by taking sugar cane juice. This day is considered to be very auspicious for going on a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay (located in Gujarat, India).

 April 25 to 28 - Theravada New Year in Buddhism - In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.

 April 25 - Zarathosht-no-Diso in Zoroastrianism - In April each year, Zoroastrians following the Qadimi calendar, commemorate the anniversary of the death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), the founder of their faith. Scholars say he lived between 1500 and 1000 bce in northeast Iran.

April 28 to May 17 - the month of Jamál in Bahá'í - In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God.  April 28 is the Feast Day for the beginning of the third month of Jamál, which signifies beauty.The Bahá’í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day.

April 28 - Palm Sunday in Christianity - Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week leading up to Easter for Eastern Orthodox churches who follow the Julian calendar. It celebrates the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before him. During Palm Sunday services, many churches distribute cut palm leaves, sometimes woven into the shape of a cross.

April 29 to May 4 - Holy Week begins in Christianity- Holy Week is the period from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity it is also known as Great Week. It is the last week of Lent. Each of the days of Holy Week has its own traditions of services.

April 30 to May 4 - Ghambar Maidyozarem in Zoroastrianism Followers of Zoroastrianism celebrate six seasonal festivals, known as the Ghambars. These are associated with agricultural seasons. Ghambar Maidyozarem, the mid-spring feast, celebrates the creation of the sky and the harvesting of the winter crop.

 March

March - Xsaak in Aboriginal Spirituality - Xsaak is celebrated by Nisga'a people of the Nass Valley in Northwest British Columbia. It is the season when they fish for swarming Oolichan also known as candle fish (dried fish burnt and used for light). The fish is dried, smoked and rendered into oil for trade and use in winter.

March 1 - Intercalary Day in Bahá'í - For Bahá'í s, the Intercalary Days are days of feasting, hospitality, rejoicing, charity and giving of presents, as well as ministering to the poor and ill, as they prepare for the Fast. The Intercalary Days are also used to complete the 365 days solar year as the 19 month Bahá'í calendar falls short.

March 1 - World Day of Prayer in Christianity - World Day of Prayer is observed on the first Friday in March by Christian women of diverse traditions and countries. They come together in prayer on this day to affirm their faith.

March 1 - Mehergan in Zorastrianism - The Zoroastrian followers of the Shenshahi calendar celebrate Mehergan on this day. The festival is second in significance and celebration only to Nowruz.  Followers of the faith believe that the sun first appeared on this day and gave light to the earth. The celebrations include prayers, bonfires, feasts, parties and exchanging gifts.

Sunset March 1 to 20 - Alá (Fasting month) in Bahá'í - In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. Alá signifying loftiness is the nineteenth month of the Bahá'í year, and it is a month of fasting. Members of the Bahá'í faith who are over the age of 15 abstain from food and drink each day from sunrise to sunset.

March 9 or 10 – Mahashivratri in Hinduism - The festival of Mahashivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is one of the three most important deities in Hinduism, along with Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the preserver. Lord Shiva is the destroyer and reproducer of life.During Mahashivratri, adherents fast, chant, meditate, visit the temple and offer group prayers.

March 14 - New Year in Sikhism - March 14 is the Sikh New Calendar Year, the first day of the year 545 in the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar. The years in the Sikh calendar start with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev in 1469.

March 16 to 20 - Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem in Zoroastrianism - Zoroastrian followers celebrate six seasonal festivals, known as the Gahambars. These are associated with agricultural seasons, and each Gahambar is celebrated by performing a Jashan (festivity) and thanking Ahura Mazda (the omniscient and omnipresent creator) for the seasons and the beautiful creations. Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem is also known as "All Souls" feast where departed relatives are remembered.

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day in Christianity - This feast day commemorates the anniversary of St. Patrick's death in the 5^th century CE. The Irish observe this day as a religious holiday. Multi-day celebrations feature parades, concerts, outdoor theatre productions and fireworks shows. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock.

March 18 - Clean Monday (J) in Christianity - Clean Monday also known as the Great Fast or Pure or Ash Monday is the first day of Lent for adherents of the orthodox faith.     

March 20 - Shunki-sorei-sai in Shinto

On this day, ancestors are given reverence on home alters, as kami (god), and are considered active members of the living family. Grave sites are cleaned and purified.

March 20 - Lady Day (Ostara) in Wicca

The spring equinox is "Lady Day." To followers of Wicca, it is a time of conception and new growth. It is celebrated by undertaking activities like planting seeds in the garden, collecting wild flowers, decorating and eating eggs, and cleaning the home that lead to prosperity. Green and yellow are colours specific to this feast.

 March 21 - Eid e-Navroz in Islam - Shia followers of Islam observe this Eid. The day is associated with significant religious milestones for observers of the faith. Adherents believe that on this day the Prophet received his first revelation and also named his successor. This feast is an important celebration for Ismaili Muslims. 

March 21 - Naw Ruz in Zoroastrianism and Bahá'í - The spring equinox marks the New Year for members of the Zoroastrian community (following Fasli Calendar). People from Persia or Iran also celebrate Naw Ruz (Noruz) on this day. The traditional Naw Ruz table called "Sofreh haft-seen" consists of seven kinds of food each beginning with the letter "s" or "sin" in Farsi symbolising life, health, wealth, abundance, love, patience and purity. 

·        sabzeh, wheat or lentil sprouts, symbolizes rebirth

·        samanu, a creamy pudding made from wheat germ, represents holiness

·        seeb, an apple, stands for health and beauty

·        senjid, the dried fruit of lotus tree, signifies love

·        sir, garlic (which is considered medicinal), represents health

·        somagh, sumac berries, stands for the colour of sun and the victory of good over evil

·        serkeh, vinegar, indicates old age and patience 

Other things associated with this celebration:

·        a book symbolizing wisdom (holy texts or books of Iranian poetry)

·        sekeh, coins, representing wealth

·        sonbol and laleh, hyacinth and tulips, symbolizing spring

·        painted eggs to reflect the fertility of the people and the land

·        a mirror to symbolize reflection of life

·        candles, indicating happiness

·        goldfish to represent life

From the first to the 12th day of the New Year, people visit each other. On the 13th day, called Sizdeh bedar, everyone goes on picnics, as it is considered unlucky to stay indoors on the 13th day.

The Bahá'í people have adopted the Iranian custom of beginning the New Year in the spring equinox. The day begins at sunset rather than midnight, and the New Year celebrations are held during the evening of March 21^st. It is one of the nine Bahá'í holy days on which work is suspended. It is generally observed with a meeting for prayer and celebration. 

March 24 - Palm Sunday in Christianity  

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week leading up to Easter for Eastern Orthodox churches who follow the Julian calendar. It celebrates the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before him. During Palm Sunday services, many churches distribute cut palm leaves, sometimes woven into the shape of a cross.  

March 24-31 - Holy Week begins in Christianity

Holy Week is the period from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity it is also known as Great Week. It is the last week of Lent. Each of the days of Holy Week has its own traditions of services.  

March 25 - Magha Puja in Buddhism  

Magha Puja is celebrated on the full moon day of the third month in the Buddhist calendar. The festival commemorates the day on which Buddha recited the Ovadha Patimokkha (the Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. The day is also celebrated for the Fourfold Assembly - gathering of 1,250 Arahantas (accomplished holy ones) at Veruvana Temple in Rajgarh city (India) of their own accord without notification on the full moon day and all 1,250 disciples being ordained by Buddha himself. Adherents renew their dedication to Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) practice on this day.

Sunset of March 25 – April 2 - Pesach (Passover) in Judaism

Pesach, or Passover, commemorates the liberation of the Jews from Egypt and slavery. It is celebrated for eight days. Pesach begins at dusk (before sundown) on March 25th. The first and last days of the festival are full holidays - work is not done by followers.A highlight is the Seder (meaning "order") meal held in each family’s home on the first evening of Pesach, when the story of their deliverance is recounted as narrated in the Haggadah (the Telling, the Story). Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival, as are other foods that contain no leaven and are symbolic to the struggle. There is a great spring cleaning in the home before the festival to ensure that no trace of leaven is left in the home during Pesach. 

March 26 - Sakyamnuni Buddha's Nirvana Day in Buddhism

Nirvana Day, also known as Parinirvana, is an annual Buddhist festival celebrating the death of Buddha after achieving Nirvana (liberation from cycle of rebirth and suffering) at the age of 80. Followers of the faith visit temples, offer prayers, meditate and read scriptures describing the last days of Gautama Buddha. 

March 26 - Holi in Hinduism

Holi is the Hindu festival that welcomes spring and celebrates new life and energy of the season. It has religious roots (burning of Prahalaad by Hiranyakashyap), but the festival is also filled with fun and good humour. On the evening of Holi, large fires are lit and prayers and offerings are made. The next day is celebrated with colours, so Holi is also called the "Festival of Colours." People celebrate the festival by daubing each other with paint and throwing coloured powder (gulaal) around in an atmosphere of fun and frolic.

The religious significance of the festival of Holi is to mark the burning of self-conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, hatred, in fact all the undesirable tendencies, thoughts and behaviours.

March 26 - Khordad Saal in Zoroastrianism 

Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia) is the founder of Zoroastrianism. Historians and religious scholars generally date his life sometime between 1500 and 1200 BCE. This day is recognised by members of the Zoroastrian faith following the Fasli calendar as Zarathushtra’s birth anniversary.

March 28 - Hola Mohalla in Sikhism

Hola Mohalla is a festival of mock battles where followers practice martial arts known as gatka. The festival is celebrated on the day following Holi. Guru Gobind Singh started it as a gathering of Sikhs for military preparedness against the ruling Moguls in Anandpur Sahib (in Punjab, India). Today it is a celebrated by holding competitions and display of martial skills.

March 28 - Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) in Christianity 

Holy Thursday is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with his followers. This day is known as Maundy Thursday in the Eastern Church which will be celebrated May 2nd.  On the evening of Maundy Thursday, Christians remember Judas' betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on March 28th, Holy Thursday.  Followers mark this period with prayer, fasting and abstinence. 

March 29 - Good Friday (Holy Friday) in Christianity and Canada 

Good Friday commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is a day of mourning for followers of the faith. During special Good Friday services, Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.  All followers of Christianity – Orthodox, Eastern Rite and Western, will celebrate Good Friday on May 3rd this year. 

March 30 - Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Birthday in Buddhism

This day is celebrated by followers of Mahayana Buddhism as the birthday of the enlightened one who is most compassionate like Buddha and is known as Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The celebrations include visiting the temples and offering prayers.

March 31- Easter or Pascha in Christianity and Canada

Easter, also known as Pascha, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians attend special church services to celebrate the resurrection. In Eastern Christianity, the oldest and most important festival of the Christian year, it initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost. In Eastern Orthodox churches, the church year begins with Pascha. The holiday's name is derived from Pesach, the Hebrew name of Passover.

While its origins are religious, many Easter customs are less serious and have more to do with celebrating the beginning of spring: Some of the traditional celebrations include:

       painting eggs in bright colours and pretty designs

·        arranging/participating in Easter egg hunts

·        giving and receiving chocolate Easter bunnies

 February 

February 1 or 24 - Lantern Festival in Buddhism  - This mid-autumn festival is celebrated on the full moon night of the eighth month of the lunar calendar by Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Timorese communities. This festival celebrates the summer harvest and is a time for rejoicing. Brightly coloured lanterns are hung in front of homes, and parades are held in towns and villages. In Vietnam this festival is also called Children's Festival. Families gather together to share meals and moon cakes.

February 1 or 2 - Imbolc in Wicca - Imbolc is the second major Sabbat in Wicca. It celebrates the sun's increasing power that will bring the start of spring. Imbolc is also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, the Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Originating as one of the Celtic fire festivals, it is celebrated with the lighting of candles. It is a time of reflection about potential and new beginnings. There are eight Wiccan Sabbats, spaced about 45 days apart during the year. Four of these are minor Sabbats—two equinoxes and two solstices. There are also four major Sabbats, occurring roughly midway between the minor Sabbats.

February 3 - Setsubun-sai in Shinto  - This popular family New Year's festival, commonly known as the bean-throwing festival, marks the end of winter and the eve of the first day of spring according to the old lunar calendar. The problems and evils of the winter are chased away as family members participate in a ritual called mame-make—throwing beans into each room of the house, and then through the outer doors with shouts of “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi!” Roughly translated, this means “Go out bad luck, come in good luck.” On Setsubun, many families hang a hiiragi over their doorway. This is a charm made of a piece of holly and a small dried fish tied together. The celebrants eat toasted soybeans. They eat as many beans as their own age plus one more. The extra bean stands for the start of the New Year.The next day is considered the first day of spring in Japan.

February 7 to 26 - month of Mulk in Bahá’í - In the Bahá’í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God. Mulk, signifying "dominion," is the eighteenth month. The Bahá’í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day.

February 10 – Lunar New Year/Maitreya Bodhisattva’s Birthday in Buddhism - Followers of Mahayana Buddhist tradition from Tibet, China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and other parts of the world celebrate their New Year after the new (dark) moon for the year 4711 - the Year of the Snake. They visit the local temple or monastery. In the afternoon, they distribute food to the poor. The day will conclude with evening chanting of the Buddha's teachings and meditation.

New Year's celebrations vary throughout East Asia: 

·         New Year is one of the traditional and most important Chinese holidays. It is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, which is usually the day on which the second new moon after the winter solstice occurs. The Chinese New Year is celebrated over 15 days. The Chinese greeting is "Kung Hei Fat Choi," meaning "Congratulations and be prosperous." Traditionally, red packets ('hong bao' 'lai see' ) are passed out on New Year's Eve, and the New Year is celebrated with firecrackers, as well as dragon and lion dances. 

·         The Vietnamese New Year is celebrated for seven days. The greeting is "Tet Giap Than," meaning "Best Wishes." A special ceremony called Le Tru Tich is held at midnight (Giao Thua) on New Year's Eve. The ritual involves firecrackers and gongs and other festive items that make loud noises to usher out the old and welcome the new. Family members exchange gifts and pay homage to the Kitchen God. They also visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good health. 

·         Vietnamese families plant a New Year's tree called Cay Neu in front of their homes. A bamboo pole is often used as a Cay Neu. 

·         The Korean New Year's greeting is "Say hay boke-mahn he pah du say oh," meaning "Many New Year's blessings to you!"

Tibetan Buddhists celebrate Losar, or New Year's Day for the year 2140 in the Tibetan calendar. The last two days of the old year are called Gutor and are spent preparing for the New Year. The custom that day is to make special noodles called guthuk. Everyone exchanges the traditional greeting, "Tashi delek."

February 13 - Ash Wednesday in Christianity - Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent in the Western Christian liturgical year. Lent is a season of spiritual discipline, cleansing and fasting which occurs in the 40 days before Good Friday. The name Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient practice of putting ashes on one's head as a symbol of mourning and penitence.

February 14 or 15 - Vasant Panchami in Hinduism  - A North Indian celebration, Vasant Panchami is celebrated in honour of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. The fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magh is Vasanta Panchami and the first day of spring. Hindus celebrate this festival by holding ceremonies to venerate Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and knowledge. People dress in yellow and get together with their families. Marigold flowers are featured in religious services. Symbolically, the education of children in their first year begins on this day.

February 15 - National Flag Day in Canada - This day celebrates the anniversary of the first raising of the Flag of Canada in 1965 at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The national flag was approved by the House of Commons on Dec. 15, 1964, the Senate on Dec. 17, 1964 and was first flown on Parliament Hill on Feb. 15, 1965.

February 15 - Nirvana Day in Buddhism - Nirvana Day, also known as Parinirvana, is an annual Buddhist festival observing the death of Buddha after achieving Nirvana (liberation from cycle of rebirth and suffering) at the age of 80. Followers of the Mahayana faith visit temples, offer prayers, meditate and read scriptures describing the last days of Gautama Buddha.

February 18 - Heritage Day in Canada - The third Monday in February is promoted as Heritage Day by the Heritage Foundation of Canada. This day, established in 1973, celebrates the national, architectural, scenic and historic heritage of Canada

February 18 - Family Day in Ontario - The third Monday of February is recognized as Family Day in Ontario. This statutory holiday was established by Premier Dalton McGuinty on October 11, 2007. On this holiday, families are encouraged to spend time together.

Eve of February 23 to 24 - Purim in Judaism - Purim is one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the story of Esther and how she saved the Jewish people who were living in Persia from extermination at the hands of an oppressive ruler and his advisor. This festival is celebrated through feasting, carnivals and group celebrations. Followers of the faith send food to friends and neighbours. Like all Jewish holidays, it begins at sundown and ends the next night.

February 25 - Magha Puja in Buddhism - Magha Puja is celebrated on the full moon day of the third month in the Buddhist calendar. The festival commemorates the day on which Buddha recited the Ovadha Patimokkha (the Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. The day is also celebrated for the Fourfold Assembly - gathering of 1,250 Arahantas (accomplished holy ones) at Veruvana Temple in Rajgarh city (India) of their own accord without notification on the full moon day and all 1,250 disciples being ordained by Buddha himself. Adherents renew their dedication to Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) practice on this day.

February 26 to March 1 - Intercalary Days in Bahá'í - For Bahá'í s, the Intercalary Days are days of feasting, hospitality, rejoicing, charity and giving of presents, as well as ministering to the poor and ill, as they prepare for the Fast. The Intercalary Days are also used to complete the 365 days solar year as the 19 month Bahá'í calendar falls short.

January

January 1 - Gantan-sai (New Year) in Shinto - People of the Shinto faith—a Japanese faith practised for centuries—say "Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu!" on this day, which means "Happy New Year!" This is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses are closed from Jan. 1 to 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. For happiness and good luck in the New Year, Japanese people begin to laugh the moment the Gantan-sai begins, so they will have good luck throughout the year.

January 1 - Temple Day in Buddhism - Buddhists of all schools attend a special service in the temple on this day in dedication of their faith.

January 1 and 14 - New Year’s Day in Christianity and Canada - New Year’s Day has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for the past 400 years. It also holds religious significance for the followers of the Christian faith. In 153 BC, the Roman senate declared Jan.1 the beginning of the New Year. This holiday was first observed in Babylon 4,000 years ago. Celebrations around the holiday include: making of resolutions, parties on the evening of Dec. 31, and a toast at midnight when the New Year officially begins. On New Year's Day itself, many people watch football games, parades and spend the day with family and friends. Followers of Orthodox Christianity celebrate the New Year's Day on Jan. 14 based on the Julian calendar.

January 5 - Birth of Guru Gobind Singh in Sikhism - Guru Gobind Singh was the 10^th and final guru (1666-1708) in the Sikh faith. He created the Order of Khalsa and declared the scriptures, the Adi Granth, as the only guru after him for people of the Sikh faith. Gurpurbs are festivals associated with the lives of the Gurus. Sikhs celebrate Gurpurbs, like the Birth of Guru Gobind Singh, with an akhand path, a complete and continuous reading of the Adi Granth, which takes 48 hours and finishes on the day of the festival.

January 6 and 19 - Epiphany or Feast of Theophany in Christianity - Followers of the Western Christian tradition celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 6. This day marks the journey of three kings to worship Jesus in Bethlehem. Some of the Orthodox churches—like Greek, Russian, Ukrainian and Serbian— that still follow the older calendar celebrate the same tradition as the Feast of Theophany on Jan. 19. The term epiphany means to show, to make known or to reveal.

January 7 - Christmas in Christianity - Followers of the Eastern Rite celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus on Jan. 7, based on the Julian calendar. Traditional celebrations include singing carols, having holy supper on Christmas Eve and attending church services on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day.

January 12 - Lohri and January 13 or 14 - Makar Sankranti in Hinduism - This festival marks the end of the winter season (when daylight hours begin to increase) and is primarily a harvest festival. This festival is also called Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Kicheri in Uttar Pradesh, Til Sankranti in Maharashtra, and Makar Sankranti in Gujarat, India.  Kite flying and burning sugar cane in bonfires is a couple of the more popular customs for this celebration. Newly married couples and parents on the birth of their first child particularly celebrate Lohri. Makar Sankranti is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year. It falls at a time when the sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn), and when days become longer from this point on so it is a time for celebration.

January 13 - Maghi in Sikhism - This is the first day of the month of Magh. This day commemorates the battle at Muktsar, a town in Punjab, India, in which 40 Sikhs (called the Immortal Ones) died for Guru Gobind Singh in 1705.

January 14 - Seijin-no-hi in Shinto - Based on a Shinto rite of passage known as gempuku, Seijin-no-hi is the Coming-of-Age Day, which marks the official entry to adulthood for all young Japanese who will have reached the age of majority (20 years) between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year. Declared a national holiday in Japan in 1948, 20-year-old women and men go to shrines, wearing traditional clothing. Their families announce their adulthood to the kami or spirits, and pray for their health and well-being.

January 19 to February 6 - month of Sultán in Bahá'í - In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God. January 19 is the beginning of Sultán, the seventeenth month of the Bahá'í calendar, signifying "sovereignty."The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day.

January 19 - Sakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment in Buddhism - Siddhartha Gautama, known also as Sakyamuni Buddha, attained enlightenment at the age of 35 while sitting in deep meditation under the Bodhi tree. Followers of the faith commemorate this day for their founder by holding Dharma functions in the temples and by partaking of congee (a nourishing milk drink). On this day, Buddhists reflect on the "Middle Path" - a path of moderation between extreme self-indulgence and self-mortification taught by Sakyamuni Buddha.

 January 20 - World Religion Day in Bahá'í - At this annual celebration, representatives of all faiths and traditions are invited to foster inter-faith understanding and harmony by focusing on the common beliefs and spiritual principles underlying all religions.

Eve of January 21 or 23 – January 22 or 24 - Milad-un-Nabi in Islam - Milad-un Nabi or Maulid (Mawlid) is celebrated by Muslims as Eid-e Milad, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. This is also anniversary of his death. The celebration begins the evening before with reading from the Quran, followed by poetry and songs in praise of the Prophet. There are also lectures and story-telling – about his life and teachings. In some big cities of the Muslim world, the day is marked with processions. On the day of Milad, the Prophet's teachings are repeated, the Quran is read and religious discourses are conducted in the mosques. Muslims invite their friends and relatives for a feast on this day.

January 24 or 30 – Jashan-e-Sadeh in Zoroastrianism - Jashan-e-Sadeh, also known as the Feast of Fire, is a highly religious festival for Zoroastrian followers of Fasli calendar. The festival involves collecting wood by all in the community, and then lighting the bonfire after blessing the community to drive back the winter.

Sunset of January 25 to 26 - Tu B'Shevat in Judaism - Tu B'Shevat, also known as the New Year for Trees, falls on the 15^th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, and celebrations begin after sunset the night before. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B'Shevat, no matter when it was planted during the year. It is customary for people of the Jewish faith to eat a fruit or plant trees on this day.

January 30 or 31 - Mehergan in Zoroastrianism - Mehergan is celebrated by the Zoroastrian followers of Qadimi calendar on this day. The festival is second in significance and celebration only to Novroze (New Year). Followers of the faith believe that the Sun first appeared on this day and gave light to the earth. The celebrations include prayers, bonfires, feasts, parties and exchanging gifts.