? Sep/Oct
Harvest Festival
Traditionally, harvest festivals are held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon occurring in the month of September. Hence, the festival usually occurs in September, but occasionally takes place on the first Sunday of October. The festival is normally marked by the displaying of various foods in churches, with services being held to give thanks for the goodness of God's gifts of nature. After such services, tradition holds that the food should be distributed amongst the elderly and the needy.
1 Sep
Installation of Sikh Scriptures in Harimandir Sahib
Day that commemorates the installation of Sikh scriptures in the Harimandir Sahib (commonly called the Golden Temple) at Amritsar in 1604.
2 Sep
Janmashtami/Krishna Jayanti
This festival celebrates the birthday of Krishna. Krishna was the eighth avatar (earthly incarnation) of Vishnu. Many Hindus will fast until midnight, the time of Krishna's birth, while those unable to fast will take fruit and milk. In temples the birth of Krishna is welcomed with singing, dancing and sweets. In some homes and temples an image of the newborn Krishna is put in a cradle and special sweets are offered and distributed.
5 - 6 Sep
Lailat-ul-Qadr
Lailut ul-Qadr literally means the Night of Destiny or Night of Measures and commemorates the night on which the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qur'an. Muslims believe that this night is kept secret by God, but that Muhammad told them to seek it in the last ten days of Ramadan. Many Muslims spend the night at their local mosque praying and studying the Qur'an.
5 - 12 Sep
Paryushana
Paryushana is the holiest time of the year for Jains, consisting of 8-10 days of meditation, fasting and prayer and ending with a ceremony of atonement meant to prepare the believer for emergence into the world in a state of spiritual and moral refinement. The story of the conception of Lord Mahavira, the man considered to have shaped the Jain religion over 2,600 years ago, is retold, telling how Mahavira’s mother had a series of dreams at the time of his conception, each one prophetic of a quality the future leader would display. Silver figures representing these dreams and symbolic of virtues such as strength, courage and wisdom are paraded through the congregation and up to the altar; the money families bid for the privilege of carrying these symbols is used to support the community.
9 - 10 Sep
Rosh Hashanah
Festival marking the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah occurs over two days, starting and ending at sunset on successive days. It begins ten days of repentance and self-examination, during which God sits in judgement of every individual. Shofars (ram's horns) are blown in synagogues as a reminder of Abraham's sacrifice of a ram instead of Isaac, his son. Traditionally, apples dipped in honey are eaten in the hope of a "sweet" new year.
10 Sep
Eid-ul-Fitr
Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Fitr means "to break" and therefore symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period and of all sinful habits. On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family gets up very early and attends special prayers held only for the occasion in mosques. Festivities, merriment, gift-giving and feasting start after the prayers. This festival is traditionally a time for family get-togethers and contact with friends. Charity donations collected during Ramadan, called Zakat, are given to those in need before the Eid prayer. The traditional greeting on this day is "Eid Mubarak (happy and blessed Eid)".
11 Sep
Ethiopian New Year's Day
Rastafarians celebrate New Year's Day on 11th September, with each new year being named after one of four evangelists (i.e. in a four-year cycle). This day is the beginning of the year of Mark.
18 Sep
Yom Kippur
Jewish Day of Atonement, marking the end of the ten-day period of repentance begun at Rosh Hashanah. It is regarded as the holiest day in Judaism, being referred to in the Bible as the "Sabbath of Sabbaths". The day is marked by a 25-hour long fast and most of the day is spent in prayer, asking for forgiveness for past wrongs and resolving to improve in the future.
21 Sep
Mabon (Autumn Equinox) (Pagan)
Also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, or simply Autumn Equinox, this Pagan festival is 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 God during the winter months.
23 Sep
Shubun No Hi (Higan)
Japanese festival marking the Autumn Equinox. Its full name is Higan No Chu-Nichi and many of the customs associated with this day resemble those practice at the Spring Equinox festival of Higan No Chi-Nichi.
23 Sep
Ganesh Chaturthi
Festival celebrating the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of good fortune and new beginnings. The festival is particularly significant for Hindus from the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Celebrations can last between one and ten days, concluding with the immersion of the image of Ganesh in water.
23 Sep -
1 Oct
(8 days)
Sukkot
Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, this festival commemorates the 40 years that the Jews spent in the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land. Traditionally, a temporary structure, called a sukkah, resembling the sort of dwellings used by the Jews while in the wilderness, is used during this time for eating meals, entertaining guests, relaxing and even sleeping. The roof, which has to be open in part to the elements, is coverd with branches and decorated with fruit.
