The Human Truth Foundation

October Religious Festivals and Dates

http://www.humanreligions.info/october.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2023

#hinduism #islam #judaism #october #paganism

Note that some traditions have festivals and dates that start at sundown or in the evening of the night before, such as (Jewish, Muslim and some Pagan events). There are few Hindu dates on these calendars yet, due to the complexity & multiplicity of all the various calendars in use. Likewise, there are few south-east Asian calendar dates.

DateEventNotes
Oct 1st
Sunday

(fixed)

Christian Harvest Festival

The symbol of ChristianityChristianity. Harvests are laid out in church.

Oct 2nd
Monday

(fixed)

Gandhi Jayanti

The symbol of HinduismHinduism. For the birthday of Mahatma Gandi who bears much responsibility for creating India.

Oct 3rd
Tuesday
Oct 4th
Wednesday
Oct 5th
Thursday
Oct 6th
Friday
Oct 7th
Saturday

(this year)

Shemini Atzeret

The symbol of JudaismJudaism. Seasonal date that marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel marked by candles, festive meals and celebration. The annual reading of the Torah restarts.

Oct 7th
Saturday

(this year)

Simchat Torah

The symbol of JudaismJudaism. Outside of Israel, occurs a day later. The Torah reading moves from the end of Deuteronomy to the beginning of Genesis.

Oct 8th
Sunday
Oct 9th
Monday

(this year)

Guru Ram Das's Gurpurab/Prakesh (birthday)

The symbol of SikhismSikhism. The fourth guru.

Oct 10th
Tuesday
Oct 11st
Wednesday
Oct 12nd
Thursday
Oct 13rd
Friday
Oct 14th
Saturday
Oct 15th
Sunday

(9 days)
(this year)

Navaratri / Durga Puja / Vijaya Dashamipuja

The symbol of HinduismHinduism. Navaratri means '9 nights' and is for Rama's victory of Ravana, the demon king of Sri Lanka, followed by Vijaya Dashami celebration. In many places, goddess Durga is worshipped on the 8th day.

Oct 16th
Monday

Birth of the Bab (since 2015)

The symbol of the Bahai FaithBahá'í Faith. This was observed on the 20th of Oct each year until 2014, after which it was changed to the 8th new moon after each Bahai new year. The prophet who foretold the arrival of Baha'u'llah (another prophet).

Oct 16th
Monday

(this year)

Feast of 'Ilm (Knowledge)

The symbol of the Bahai FaithBahá'í Faith.

Oct 17th
Tuesday

Birth of the Baha'u'llah (since 2015)

The symbol of the Bahai FaithBahá'í Faith. Before 2015, the date was observed in accordance with the Islamic calendar date. The founder of Baha'i.

Oct 18th
Wednesday
Oct 19th
Thursday
Oct 20th
Friday

(this year)

The Granth Sahib Holy Book Becomes the 11th and Final Guru

The symbol of SikhismSikhism. The holy scriptures themselves became the final Guru in 1708 and the line of human Gurus ended.

Oct 20th
Friday

(this year)

Gurgadi Divas of Siri Guru Granth Sahib

The symbol of SikhismSikhism.

Oct 20th
Friday

(this year)

Guru Har Rai's Jyoti Jot (death)

The symbol of SikhismSikhism. The seventh guru.

Oct 20th
Friday

(this year)

Harkrishan becomes the 8th guru

The symbol of SikhismSikhism.

Oct 20th
Friday

(fixed)

Birth of the Bab (until 2014)

The symbol of the Bahai FaithBahá'í Faith. This was observed on the 20th of Oct each year until 2014, after which it was changed to the 8th new moon after each Bahai new year. The prophet who foretold the arrival of Baha'u'llah (another prophet).

Oct 21st
Saturday

(this year)

Guru Gobind Singh's Jyoti Jot (death)

The symbol of SikhismSikhism. The tenth Guru.

Oct 22nd
Sunday
Oct 23rd
Monday
Oct 24th
Tuesday

(this year)

Vijayadashami / Dussehra / Dasara / Dashain

The symbol of HinduismHinduism. The final day of Navarati. Can involve wearing a tika on the forehead, and burning images of Ravana.

Oct 25th
Wednesday

(5 days)
(this year)

Maidyoshahem (of Hordad)

The symbol of Zoroastrianism - wide bird-like wings and a man holding a ringZoroastrianism. The third day (Jishan-e-Tiragan) is the most important. The seasonal festival of Hordad, the Holy Immortal, who created water and represents health and completeness. Possibly originally a midsummer festival, but inaccurate calendars has meant the date has strayed.

Oct 25th
Wednesday

(this year)

Ava Mah Parab / Aban Jashan

The symbol of Zoroastrianism - wide bird-like wings and a man holding a ringZoroastrianism. Celebration of Ava, guardian of fertility and water.

Oct 26th
Thursday
Oct 27th
Friday
Oct 28th
Saturday
Oct 29th
Sunday
Oct 30th
Monday
Oct 31st
Tuesday

(fixed)

Samhain

Paganism. For the coming of winter. The turning of the natural cycles continues; this commemorates death and remembers those who are dead.

Oct 31st
Tuesday

(fixed)

Halloween

The secular celebration of the ancient pagan festival of Samhain.