Religious Holidays
OHIO's Guide to Religions
Religious identity and development is an important part of the university experience for many and affects how we all understand and interact with the greater world around us. OHIO's Guide to Religions serves as a general educational and reference tool for the OHIO community. This guide is intended to help expand understanding and strengthen relationships of the diverse religious and non-religious groups at OHIO.
How to Make This Guide Work for You
- Check dates before scheduling critical deadlines, events, or activities.
- Accommodate observant individuals with reasonable support. Consider food and beverage restrictions when planning menus. Provide opportunities for time away from the classroom and workplace. Allow vacation time off and avoid important academic and workplace deadlines and activities.
- Ask others how they commemorate their occasion. Many individuals affiliated with the same group observe one important day in various ways.
- Discover new experiences and learn about the history, culture, and significance of the day with special foods, speakers, displays, and more.
Significant Dates, Practices and Accommodations
Holiday and Recommended Accommodations |
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Lammas / Lughnasadh (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)A celebration of the beginning of the harvest. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Making and consuming dishes with the first fruits of the harvest.
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Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)The Rakhi festivity falls in the holy month of Shravan; The origin and history of Rakhi can be dated back to the mythological Pouranik times. General Practices: A day to acknowledge siblings and their relationships.
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Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)This two-day festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, a widely-worshiped Hindu god. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher, and philosopher. General Practices: During this festival, Hindus are likely to forgo sleep in order to sing bhajans, traditional Hindu songs. Many Hindus also fast during the first day of the festival. Dances, songs, and plays depicting the life of Krishna are common. Date Details: The first day is called Krishan ashtami or Gokul ashtami. The second day is known as Kaal ashtami or more popularly Janam ashtami. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that students will be operating on very little sleep.
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Rosh Hashanah—* begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Mabon / Alban Elfed / Autumnal Equinox (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)Also referred to as Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, and Meán Fómhair. Mabon is the second celebration of the harvest, a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: At Mabon, day and night are in equal balance. It is a time to offer gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and also to begin to prepare for turning inward. Making dishes with apples, squash and pumpkins as part of ritual celebration is customary.
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Yom Kippur—*begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Eid al-Adha—*begins at sundown (Islamic)
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Sukkot—*begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Shemini Atzeret —*begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Simchat Torah —*begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Navaratri (Hindu)Navaratri is one of the greatest Hindu festivals, and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this time, Hindus worship Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. General Practices: Durga is the mother goddess, and so Hindus try to visit their mothers and other relatives during this time. Some Hindus will pray and fast, and there are often feasts and dances.
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Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (Baha’i)
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Samhain (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)One of the four "greater Sabbats" and considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. A time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community, and reflecting on past relationships, events and other significant changes in life. General Practices: Paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died.
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Diwali (Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain)
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Hanukkah / Chanukah —*begins at sundown (Jewish)Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, and lasts for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom. The history of the holiday involves a historic military victory in which a Jewish sect called the Maccabees defeated the Syrian Greeks. The celebration commemorates a miracle in which a sacred temple flame burned for eight days on only one day’s worth of oil. General Practices: On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families light an additional candle of the menorah candelabrum until all eight candles are lit. Jews celebrate with food and song, as well as exchanging gifts for eight days. Date details: Hanukkah begins at sundown on the first day. Recommended Accommodations: Academics and work permitted, not a work holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).
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Yule / Midwinter / Alban Arthan / Winter Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)The longest night of the year followed by the sun's "rebirth" and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Burning the yule log (which was traditionally part of last year’s Yule tree) is an act of faith and renewal that, indeed, the light, and the warmth will return.
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Christmas —*begins at sundown (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)
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Gantan-sai (Shinto)
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Epiphany / Twelfth Night / Three Kings Day (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)This date is also known as Befana Day; commemorates the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus. General Practices: Prayer, festive meals, offerings, gifts
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Imbolc / Candlemas (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)Also referred to as the Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Lights, and Oimele. Celebrates the coming of spring and recovery of the Earth Goddess after giving birth to the Sun God at Yule. For many traditions, a time for initiations, re-dedication and pledges for the coming year. One of the four "greater Sabbats." General Practices: Activities might include making candles, reading poetry and telling stories. |
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Setsubun-sai (Shinto)Setsubun-sai marks the beginning of Spring, and is known as the “bean-throwing festival. The faithful scatter roasted beans to bring good luck to the new season. |
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Chinese New Year (Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist)
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Ash Wednesday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)This is the first day of Lent, the period of forty days before Easter in which many Christians sacrifice ordinary pleasures to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. General Practices: On this day, there are special church services, and the faithful wear a cross of ashes marked on foreheads. Most Christians abstain from meat on this day. Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products. |
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Magha Puja Day (Buddhist)Magha Puja Day commemorates an important event in the life of the Buddha, in which the four disciples traveled to join the Buddha. |
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Purim —*begins at sundown (Jewish)Purim commemorates the time when the Jews were living in Persia and were saved by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther. General Practices: Many Jews hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim, dressing in costumes, and read the Book of Esther. Triangular, fruit-filled pastries are eaten in opposition to the villain Haman, who wore a three-cornered hat. Recommended Accommodations: Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays; however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher restrictions apply).
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Palm Sunday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant / Eastern Orthodox Christianity)A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as crowds lined his path with palm fronds General Practices: Prayer, distribution of palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion.
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Ostara / Alban Eilir / Spring Equinox (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)Also known as Eostre. Regarded as a time of fertility and conception. In some Wiccan traditions, it is marked as the time when the Goddess conceives the God's child, which will be born at the winter solstice. One of eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Lighting fires to commemorate the return of light in the spring and to honor the God and Goddess. Coloring eggs as a way of honoring fertility is also practiced.
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Naw Ruz—*begins at sundown (Baha’i)This is the Baha’i New Year, a traditional celebration in Iran adopted as a holy day associated with Baha’i. It is a celebration of spring and new life. General Practices: Festive music dancing, prayers, meetings, meals
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Holi (Hindu)Also known as the “Festival of Colors,” this holiday can be traced to Hindu scriptures commemorating good over evil. This date is also a celebration of the colorful spring and a farewell to the dull winter. General Practices: Hindus often sprinkle colored water and powder on others and celebrate with bonfires and lights, signifying victory of good over evil. Date details: Celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar moon in late February or early March.
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Maundy Thursday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. General Practices: Prayer, Communion (Eucharist), meals, and foot-washing ceremonies among some Christian denominations Date details: Always falls on the Thursday before Easter Sunday.
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Good Friday (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting. General Practices: Prayer, fasting, and noon or afternoon services in some Christian denominations. Date details: Always falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested—meat (fish is not considered meat) is prohibited during meals for some.
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Easter (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)
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Vaisakhi (Sikh)Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year festival and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born. Vaisakhi is also a long-established harvest festival. General Practices: There are often parades, dancing, and singing throughout the day. These celebrations involve music, singing, and chanting of scriptures and hymns.
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Pesach / Passover —*begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Holy Friday (Eastern Orthodox Christian)Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting. General Practices: Prayer, fasting, confession, and church services as well as the wrapping or dying of eggs (often red) in preparation for Easter Sunday. Date details: Orthodox Good Friday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the date.
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Beltane (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)The fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Jumping the balefire,dancing the MayPole.
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Easter (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
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Pascha (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
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Yom HaSho’ah —*begins at sundown (Jewish)Holocaust Remembrance Day; a day to remember the lives and names of Jewish victims and activists of the Holocaust. General Practices: Ceremonies or events to remember Holocaust victims who died during World War II; activities may include lighting memorial candles and reciting the Kaddish, which is a prayer for the departed. Date details: Begins at sundown. Recommended Accommodations: This is not a work holiday—academics and work are permitted. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).
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Shavuot —*begins at sundown (Jewish)
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Buddha Day / Visakha Puja (Buddhist)This holiday is traditionally known as Buddha’s birthday. It is the major Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. General Practices: Buddhists often decorate their homes and visit their local temples. Observers are encouraged to refrain from slaughtering and to avoid eating meat on this date. Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested, and offer vegetarian options when planning menus for events on this date.
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Ascension of the Baha’ullah (Baha’i)Commemorates the death of the founder of the Baha’i faith; Baha’llah died on May 29, 1892. General Practices: Devotional programs and reading from the scriptures
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Ramadan—*begins at sundown (Islamic)Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer, and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur’an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur’an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind. The night that the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad is called Lailat ul Oadr, and standing in prayer this one night is thought to eclipse months of worship. General Practices: Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar. In addition, many Muslims also attend night prayers at Mosques. Muslims also believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during this month than any other time of the year, so almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan. Date Details: Dates are determined by the lunar calendar. Lunar calendars can vary based on region and practice. The observed date marks the beginning of a 30 day observation. Recommended Accommodations: If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. 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).
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Litha / Midsomer / Alban Hefin / Summer Solstice / (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)A celebration of the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. Celebration of the the Goddess manifesting as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King. For some Pagans the Summer Solstice marks the marriage of the God and Goddess and see their union as the force that creates the harvest's fruits. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Lighting to bonfires and watching the sun rise
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Eid al-Fitr —*begins at sundown (Islamic)
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Tisha B’Av—*begins at sundown (Jewish)Commemorates a series of Jewish tragedies including the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. General practices: Fasting and mourning. Date details: Begins at sundown on first day, fast deferred because of the Sabbath. Recommended accommodations: Plan limited activities after a fast.
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