| October 2008 |
| 2 October |
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Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the breaking of the fast for Muslims at the end of Ramadan. Lasting three days, it is a time for family and friends to get together, for celebrating with good food and presents for children, and giving to charity. The charity of the fast - Zakat-ul-Fitr, which is paid during Ramadan, must be paid before the Eid prayer. 'Eid Mubarak' - a happy and blessed Eid, is the traditional greeting.
 BBC Religion and Ethics - Islam: Eid ul Fitr.
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| 7 October |
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Pavarana
The day marks the end of the Rains Retreat and is also known as Sangha Day. Monks who have completed the three month retreat invite their associates to reprove them for any failings (Pavarana means 'to invite').
Buddhamind - Festivals: Pavarana.
(Follow 'Lifestyle' and 'Festivals'.)
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| 9 October |
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Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
This is the final day of the ten days of repentance, the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar - 'the Sabbath of Sabbaths', and is marked with a total fast for 25 hours. The evening before and most of the day is spent in prayer, asking God's forgiveness for past wrongs and resolving to improve in the future.
BBC Religion and Ethics: Judaism - Yom Kippur.
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| 14 - 21 October |
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Sukkot
The harvest festival commemorating the 40 years that the Jews spent in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land after escaping slavery in Egypt. A temporary hut with a roof covered only with branches -
called a sukkah - is used during the festival. In some warmer countries families may live in their sukkah as well as eating there. Four species of plant are used symbolically during the festival - the lulav (palm branch), the etrog (a yellow citrus fruit), the hadas (myrtle) and the aravah (willow).
Sukkot on the Net.
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| 22 October |
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Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual cycle of reading from the Torah. When the reading of the last Torah portion concludes, the reading proceeds immediately to the first chapter of Genesis without a break, as the Torah is a circle, and never ends. Children dance and sing as all the Torah scrolls are paraded around the synagogue, giving as many people as possible the honour of carrying a Torah scroll.
Judaism 101: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
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| 22 - 29 October |
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Inter Faith Week of Prayer for World Peace
The week is supported by members from many different religious communities. A collection of prayers drawn from the literature of several world religions is published for use during the week.
Week of Prayer for World Peace.
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| 24 October |
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Kathina Day
In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, Kathina Day is celebrated by the lay community offering monks new Kathina robes at the end of their three month Rains Retreat. The date of the festival varies according to when the rainy season arrives in different countries.
Buddhamind - Festivals: Kathina Day.
(Follow 'Lifestyle' and 'Festivals'.)
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| 28 October |
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Divali (Deepavali)
Divali (Deepavali) is the Hindu New Year celebration lasting from one to five days. A festival of light, celebrated with fireworks, Divali is generally associated with Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, or with the victorious return of Rama and Sita after their exile.
Diwali - The festival of lights.
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| 28 October |
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Divali (Bandi Chhor Divas)
Sikhs also celebrate Divali, as the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from prison on this day. He refused to accept release unless fifty-two imprisoned Hindu princes were also released. The Emperor set a condition that only those who could hold on to his cloak could leave prison, so the Guru had a special coat with long tassels made. Divali is a time for presents, sweets and new clothes. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated and firework displays take place.
The Sikhism Home Page: Ceremonies and Festivals.
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