This
Mayhayana Buddhist festival celebrates the birth in 563 BCE of the
Buddha Siddhartha Gutama, who is often referred to as Sakyamuni,
the sage of the Sakya clan.
The
Day of Enlightenment
This
is a Mayhayana Buddhist festival and as such is celebrated in Japan,
Korea, China and central Asia.
Good
Friday
The
anniversary of the death of Jesus of Nazareth. On this day Jesus
was crucified by his enemies.
The
Feast Day of St. Alban
Alban
was born in Verulamium (now St. Albans, Hertfordshire) and was the
first British Christian Martyr. He shares his feast day with Amphibalus,
the Christian Priest he saved.
The
Birthday of Krishna
Krishna
is one of the best loved Hindu gods, and one of the incarnations
of Vishnu. Most Hindus believe Krishna to be the eighth descent
of Vishnu out of ten altogether.
The
Ten Days (Dusshera)
Dusshera
is the period of ten days which culminate in the festival of Divali.
It is celebrated by dramatised episodes from the life of Rama.
The
Passover (Pesach)
This
very important festival commemorates the time when Israelites were
the slaves of the Egyptians.
Rosh
Hashanah (New Year)
The
first of Tishri (September) is by tradition the anniversary of the
creation of the world from which date the Jewish calendar is reckoned.
It will also be the Day of Judgement.
Prophets
Day (Meelad-Nabi)
Mohammed
was born in Mecca in around 570 CE and died on the same day in 632
CE. His birthday is of prime importance for Muslims and is celebrated
by special assemblies.
The
Month of Ramadan and the Night of Power (Lailat al-Qadr)
Fasting
is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam laid down by God in the
Qur'an. The Night of Power celebrates Gods first revelation through
the Archangel Gabriel to Mohammed
Baisakhi
(New Year)
One
of the two annual Sikh gatherings (the other being Divali), Baisakhi
is now celebrated as the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa.
The
Birthday of Guru Nanak
Guru
Nanak Dev was the first Sikh guru and the founder of the faith.
He was born in 1469 CE in the village of Talwandi (now in Pakistan)
about 65km from Lahore.
