Religions of the World: Holidays - Midterm #1

Mawlid Al-Nabi

Aug 25-26, Islam holiday that celebrates Muhammed’s birthday. Is celebrated in mosques and homes, but varies. Sometimes carnival like, sometimes not celebrated at all. Poems, stories, songs about Muhammed/his life are recited publicly and privately. “mawlid” is the word for the texts that are recited for this celebration. Usually, ppl see this as a holiday to give thanks to God for giving them the prophet Mohammed, but some conservative groups are opposed because they think it’s not based from early tradition - Is monotheistic → some think they can’t worship Muhammed like this. Not celebrated in Saudi Arabia or Qatar

Krishna Jayanti

Sept 4, celebrates birth of Hindu god Krishna who holds a flute to play the “call of God”. represents playfulness, is an avatar of Vishnu. Fasting and worship, songs, offerings, temple services

Paryushan (Paryushan Parva)

Sept 8-15, most important holiday for Jains, festival of forgiveness, self discipline, and self awareness. Last day is Forgiveness Day, where everyone seeks and gives forgiveness from/to all creatures whom one may have harmed, say the words “Michhami Dukkadam”. Swastika is a common symbol for Jainism, represents well-being and the cycle of the universe. 4 spaces between the arms = the 4 destinies of worldly soul - heaven, human, animal, hell.

Rosh Hashanah

Sept 11-13, Jewish New Year first of the Jewish High Holy Days. beginning of a period of 10 days that finish with Yom Kippur. 2 days for inner renewal and divine atonement. marked by blowing of shofar (ram’s horn trumpet), synagogue services, big feasts. some common foods are apples dipped in honey and pomegranates

Ganesh Chaturthi

sept 14, Hindu festival for birth of Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles), elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. Ppl install idols in homes and in public, daily worship, offer sweet snacks (modak). On the final day they bring idol of Ganesh into a body of water, symbolizes departure. Is based on Lunar calendar

Yom Kippur

sept 20-21 2026. “Day of Atonement” for Jews, holiest of days. It is the last of 10 Days of Repentance, they wear white clothes, have long prayer services with confessions, request for forgiveness, asceticism (fasting, no bathing/washing, no leather, no perfume or lotion, no sexual relations)

Fall Equinox

day and night are same length, marks end of summer and start of fall. harvest festival celebration

Mabon

Neopagan celebration of fall equinox, celebrating harmony and balance of nature and giving thanks for Nature’s bounty, includes harvest festivals

Sukkot

sept 25-Oct 2, “The Feast of Tabernacles” - the Torah commanded a 7 day holiday to commemorate the 40 year period where children of Israel wandered the desert after leaving Egyptian slavery. Celebration includes a harvest festival. Sukkos/tabernacles are built by recognizing 4 plant species (3 branches, 1 fruit) and weaving them together (they are the structures that farmers would live in during harvesting and is similar to what the ppl lived in over the 40 years in the desert) - symbolizes unity and worship

Navratri & Dassehra

Oct 11-19, means “nine nights”. Hindu festival honoring goddess Durga. Synonymous with “Durga Puja” in E and NE India which celebrates Durga’s victory over buffalo demon Mahishasura. Includes worshipping 9 goddesses which are incarnations of Durga, stage decorations, retelling and performing of the story, chanting scripture. Is celebrated differently in dif places - some have feasts, some fast. Most colorful and elaborate in Bengal. The 10th day is called Vijayadashama/Dassehra, which celebrates Ram’s defeat of Ravana. Theme is triumph of good over evil