Culham Institute: Calendar of Festivals

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

February 2010
2 February		The Presentation of the Lord (Catholic) / The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Anglican) The presentation of Jesus in the Temple at a few weeks old, as recorded in Luke's gospel, is celebrated today. The day is often known as Candlemas from the tradition of congregations holding lighted candles during the celebration in church. Woodlands Junior School: Candlemas Day.
8 February		Parinirvana Mahayanists mark the final passing away from this world of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagara, India, at the age of 80. Pure Land Buddhists refer to it as Nirvana Day. BuddhaNet: Kusinara - place of the Great Passing Away.
12 February		Mahashivratri (Great Shiva Night) Every night of the new moon is dedicated to Shiva but this one is particularly important, being the night on which Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance from creation to destruction. Many Hindus will fast and prayers are focused on Shiva and his shrines and statues. BBC Religion and Ethics - Hinduism: Mahashivratri.
14 February		Losar This New Year festival is celebrated in Tibet, and often Nepal, and includes the rededication of the country to Buddhism. The miracles performed by the Buddha at Sravasti are celebrated. Worldbridges Tibet: Losar.
15 February - 3 April		First Day of Lent / The Great Fast (Orthodox) Eastern Churches start Lent on the Monday before the first Sunday of Lent, and as many Eastern Orthodox Churches still use the Julian rather than the Gregorian calendar the dates of the whole Lenten period can differ from the Western Churches. The Lenten fast involves abstinence from meat, fish and dairy products until Easter. Orthodox Church in America: Great Lent.
16 February		Shrove Tuesday Commonly known as Pancake Day, this is the day before the start of Lent. Traditionally, it is a day for repentance and absolution in preparation for Lent ('shrive' means to receive or make confession). Pancakes were originally made to use up all the rich foods, such as butter and eggs, before Lent. In other parts of the world people celebrate Mardi Gras by holding carnivals. Woodlands Junior School: Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day).
17 February		Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, the forty days (not counting Sundays) that lead up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday some churches hold special services where Christian believers are marked with a cross of ash to show their desire to correct the wrongs in their lives. BBC Religion and Ethics - Christianity: Ash Wednesday.
17 February - 3 April		Lent Lent is a time of fasting and discipline in preparation for Easter. As early as the second century CE many Christians were to be found spending time fasting before Easter, and over the next few centuries the time spent fasting increased; this was probably connected to remembering the forty days Jesus spent fasting at the start of his ministry. The word comes from an Anglo-Saxon word for Spring. It is also related to the word 'lengthen'. Culham Institute: Journey Through Lent.
18 February		Birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Sri Ramakrishna, Hindu teacher and mystic was born in 1833, and founded the Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Vedanta movement. Swami Vivekananda, his disciple, formalised his teachings into a philosophical structure. Sri Ramakrishna Biography.
19 February		Vasanta Panchami / Saraswati Puja Widely celebrated in India, and by Hindus around the world, this festival is usually linked with Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning. Yellow is a predominant colour in the celebrations, to indicate the onset of spring and because of its associations with Saraswati. Ealing Grid for Learning: Vasant Panchami.
26 February		The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Muslim calendar. In the UK Muslims celebrate at the mosque. Processions are held in some cities in the Muslim world, and in some countries the celebration starts with readings from the Qur'an, followed by poetry and songs in praise of the Prophet. Mawlid.
28 February		Magha Puja This day commemorates the occasion when the Buddha predicted his death and recited a summary of his teachings and a code of discipline (which monks are expected to recite every fortnight) to 1,250 enlightened followers on the full moon of Magha. The day is observed with meditation, chanting and listening to sermons. Buddhamind: Festivals - Magha Puja.
28 February		Purim Purim commemorates a troubled period of Jewish history, and how the community was preserved. The story is recounted in the Book of Esther (The Megillah), which is read in the synagogue, on the eve of Purim and also on Purim itself. Colourful costumes and masks are sometimes worn and there is lots of noise as the name of Haman (the villain of the story) is drowned out with boos and rattles (graggers). Purim on the Net.