March Religious Festivals and Dates

Holika Dahan

Hinduism. Performed after sunset during Pradosh; dates are shifted to avoid Bhadra period.

Yuan Xiao Jie / Teng Chieh / Lantern Festival

Chinese religion. The first full moon of the year, in the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar.

Hinamatsuri / Girl's Day

Shinto. Prayers for the Emperor and Empress to carry away illnesses affecting girls.

Purim

Judaism. A happy celebration of a traditional story in which Jews in ancient Persia were saved from destruction by Esther. This event is followed by Shushan Purim the day after.

Holi

Hinduism. The full moon day of Phalgun. A colourful spring festival up to 5 days, for the grain harvest in India "but more importantly recalls the pranks that Krishna played as a young man"₁.

Fravardigan

Zoroastrianism. Occurs ten days before No Ruz. Festival and prayer day for guardian spirits of ancestors.

Har Rai becomes the 7th guru

Sikhism.

Hola Mahalla (New Year)

Sikhism. Martial skills and poetry.

St Patrick's Day

Christianity in the UK. Almost completely secular, but celebrated by Christians as the mythologized day a saint went from Britain to Ireland to convert them to Christianity.

Higan (Autumn) and Shuubun No Hi / Haru-No-Higan

Shinto in Japan. On both the spring and autumn equinoxes. For the autumn equinox; given to harmony and balance. Shuubun No Hi is a 7-day period centered on the equinox, based on an older Buddhist week of celebration called Haru-No-Higan.
Historically developed from: Q3 Equinox (Autumnal)

Eid Ul Fitre (End of Fast Feast)

Islam. Ramadan ends on the sighting of the new moon. A feast.

Guru Hargobind's Jyoti Jot (death)

Sikhism. The sixth guru.

Q1 Equinox (Vernal)

Paganism. On March 20st or 21st, marking spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Dedicated to eostre, ancient anglo-saxon goddess of fertility.

Jamshedi Noruz

Zoroastrianism. On New Years' day, on the spring equinox. Celebrates victory of life and light over darkness. Clothes, gifts, prayers and dancing.

Adar Mah Parab

Zoroastrianism. To give thanks for warmth and light of the year, and the house fire is given a rest.

St Joseph's Day

Christianity. Honouring Joseph, Jesus' father.

Naw Ruz

Bahá'í Faith. On New Years' day at the end of a 19-day fast.

Ava Mah Parab / Aban Jashan

Zoroastrianism. Celebration of Ava, guardian of fertility and water.

Khordad Sal (Zarathustra's Birthday)

Zoroastrianism. The birthday of Prophet Zarathustra.

Rama Havami

Hinduism. 9th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of Chaitra, the 1st month of the Hindu calendar Rama's birthday, the 7th avatar of Vishnu, and hero of the Ramayana₁. Preceded by an 8-day buildup of recitals and fasting.

Holy Week

Christianity (Western Churches). Marking the week of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Passion Sunday / Palm Sunday

Christianity (Western Churches). The first day of Christian Holy Week.