October Religious Festivals and Dates

Christian Harvest Festival

Christianity. Harvests are laid out in church.

Gandhi Jayanti

Hinduism. For the birthday of Mahatma Gandi who bears much responsibility for creating India.

Rosh Hashannah

Judaism. New Years' day. For self-examination and memory of Abraham attempting to sacrifice his son.

Navaratri / Durga Puja / Vijaya Dashamipuja

Hinduism. 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.

Guru Ram Das's Gurpurab/Prakesh (birthday)

Sikhism. The fourth guru.

Chong Yang Jie

Chinese religion. For climbing hills and high places, flying kites, and visiting family graves.

Yom Kippur

Judaism. Follows from 10 days of repentance; the most important Jewish date in a year.

Vijayadashami / Dussehra / Dasara / Dashain

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

Feast of 'Ilm (Knowledge)

Bahá'í Faith.

Sokkot

Judaism. Similar in style to the sabbath, but lasting a week instead of just Saturday.

Kathina

Buddhism (Theravada). Occurs on first day of the waning moon of the eleventh month. People give donations to monks, especially new clothes / robes; and for giving money ('alms') to the poor.

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

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

Gurgadi Divas of Siri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikhism.

Guru Har Rai's Jyoti Jot (death)

Sikhism. The seventh guru.

Birth of the Bab (until 2014)

Bahá'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).

Harkrishan becomes the 8th guru

Sikhism.

Maidyoshahem (of Hordad)

Zoroastrianism. 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.

Shemini Atzeret

Judaism. 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.

Simchat Torah

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

Ava Mah Parab / Aban Jashan

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

Halloween

The secular celebration of the ancient pagan festival of Samhain.

Samhain

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

Divali / Diwali

Hinduism. A seasonal harvest festival and the festival of light. In some Indian states, it starts a day later.