Welcome to our
calendar of religious festivals and other events. All highlighted dates link to
information about an event taking place. Simply click on the date and the
information will appear in the box below. You can also click on an arrow on the
left of the calendar to see a whole week's events.
If there are any events which you feel should be added to the calendar please let us know. Requests will be considered by the Council's Race and Religion Group.
If there are any events which you feel should be added to the calendar please let us know. Requests will be considered by the Council's Race and Religion Group.
1 Mar
ST DAVID'S DAY (National)Anniversary of the death of St David, the patron saint of Wales who lived in the 6th century CE
1 Mar
HOLI (Hindu)A spring festival lasting one to five days. Bonfires are lit and coloured powders and dyes are thrown over people. Various stories are associated with the festival. The throwing of coloured dyes is linked with Krishna and his antics with the gopis or milkmaids. Another story associated with Holi is that of Prahlada and Holika. Prahlada worshipped Vishnu in defiance of his father, King Hiranyakashipu. Prahlada survived when his aunt, Holika, supposedly immune to fire, held him while she sat on a bonfire.
2 Mar
HOLA MAHALLA/MOHALLA (Sikh)In 1680 Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, introduced this festival at Anandpur in Punjab, India, as an alternative to the Hindu festival of Holi. It includes competitive displays of swordsmanship, horsemanship, archery and wrestling, and displays of weapons and symposia of poetry, making it a colourful occasion, particularly for young Sikhs. It takes place on the day after Holi.
3 Mar
THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD' S BIRTHDAY - 20th August 570 CE (Jewish)This is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Muslim calendar. In the sub-continent of India and some Arab countries like Egypt, the celebration starts with reading from the Qur'an, followed by poetry and songs in praise of the Prophet. There are also lectures and story telling. In some big cities of the Muslim world the day is marked with processions and flag waving under a huge decoration of lights. In the UK Muslims celebrate at the mosque.
5 Mar
THE WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (Christian)This international, interdenominational prayer movement was begun in 1887. The service material is produced by a different country each year. In 2010 the theme is "Let everything that has breath praise God" and the order of service has been put together by Cameroon.
14 Mar
MOTHERING SUNDAY (Simnel Sunday) (Christian)Christian Mid-Lent Sunday (Lent IV). It has become secularised and more popularly known as Mother's Day. Traditionally, Christians visited their 'mother church' and took gifts to their mothers, which often included a simnel cake.
17 Mar
ST PATRICK'S DAY (National)Day celebrated in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, who lived in Britain in the 4th century. After his escape from being held hostage in Ireland, he became a priest and returned there to evangelise. His symbol is the shamrock, sprigs of which are worn on this day. Parades are held in Dublin and elsewhere, often of a secular nature.
19 Mar
ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Christian)A feast in honour of Joseph, who, together with Mary, was responsible for Jesus' upbringing.
20 Mar - 21 Mar
SPRING EQUINOX (OSTARA) (Pagan)Now night and day stand equal. The Sun grows in power and the land begins to bloom. By Spring Equinox, the powers of the gathering year are equal to the darkness of winter and death. The God (the Green Man) awakens during this season. Some dedicate this time to Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of fertility.
21 Mar
NAW-RUZ (Baha'I)New Years's Day and the end of the nineteen day fast that concludes the old year.
March 2010