Today@Dal

Each year the Dalhousie Office of Human Rights, Equity & Harassment Prevention (HREHP) develops a mosaic calendar of religious holidays and cultural dates for faculty, staff and students.

See below for a sample of September dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The complete calendar is available on the website, http://hrehp.dal.ca/Calendar/

Reminder: The Jewish calendar date begins at sundown of the night beforehand. Thus all holiday observances begin at sundown on the secular dates listed, with the following day being the first full day of the holiday.

September 1
First Parkash (SI)
The first Parkash commemorates the installation of the Adi Granth (the first edition of the Sikh Scriptures) at Harimandir Sahib by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in 1604 CE.

September 3
Labour Day
Labour Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. It is celebrated in North America on the first Monday in September. While Labour Day parades and picnics are organized by unions, many Canadians regard Labour Day as the Monday of the last long weekend of summer. Non-union celebrations include picnics, fireworks displays, water activities, and public art events. Since the new school year generally starts right after Labour Day, families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer.
 
Ananta-Chaturdasi (JA)
The “Festival of Ten Virtues” is the holiest day of Dashalakshani-parva for the Digambara sect.
 
September 12-16
Gahambar Paitishem (ZO)
Gahambar Paitishem is a Zoroastrian festival commemorating the creation of the earth and the harvesting of summer crops.
 
September 12
Ksamavani (JA)
On Ksamavani, Jains ask forgiveness of others for wrongs committed during the previous year, and likewise forgive those who cause them suffering.
 
September 16-18
Rosh Hashanah (JU)
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im ("Days of Awe") which occur in the autumn. The festival of Rosh Hashanah—the name means “Head of the Year”—is observed for two days beginning on 1 Tishrei, the first day of the Jewish year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind’s role in God’s world.
Rosh Hashanah thus emphasizes the special relationship between God and humanity: our dependence upon God as our creator and sustainer, and God’s dependence upon us as the ones who make His presence known and felt in His world. Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey. It is a Jewish holiday where work is prohibited. It is a time of introspection, abstinence, prayer, and penitence; the story of Abraham is read, the ram’s horn is sounded, and special foods are prepared and shared.
 
September 19
Ganesh Chathurhi (HI)
The fourth day of the lunar fortnight (Chathurti) and Tuesdays and Fridays are special to Ganesh. Chathurti of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Simbha (Bhaadrapadha) is celebrated as Ganesh Chathurhi.
 
Fast of Gedaliah (JU)
A Jewish fast day from dawn until dusk to lament the assassination of the righteous governor of Judah of that name, which ended Jewish rule following the destruction of the First Temple.
 
Samvatsari (JA – Shvetambara sect)
Jains seek forgiveness on this auspicious day from all creatures of the world they may have hurt knowingly or unknowingly by thoughts, words or actions, by uttering the phrase “Michhami Dukkadam”, an ancient Prakrit phrase meaning “I beg your forgiveness”. People visit their friends and relatives to greet “Michhami Dukkadam” and pledge that no private dispute or quarrel may be taken beyond this day of “Samvatsari”. On this pious day of Samvatsari, Jains keep fasting and next day they take breakfast which is known as Parna.
 
Dashalakshani-parva (JA – Digambara sect)
The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalakshani-parva for ten days by fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to a virtue: forgiveness, humility, honesty, purity, truthfulness, self-restraint, asceticism, study, detachment, and celibacy.
 
September 21
International Day of Peace (UN)
This day occurs annually on September 21st. It is dedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups and military groups. To inaugurate the day, the “Peace Bell” is rung at the United Nation Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents. It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan and is referred to as “a reminder of the human cost of war”. The inscription on its side reads: “Long live absolute world peace”.
 
September 22
Mabon (WICCA)
Mabon is the name used by some Wiccans and other Neo-pagans for one of the eight solar holidays. It is celebrated on the Fall Equinox and is also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, or simply Fall Equinox. This holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.
 
Shuki-sorei-sai (SH)
The September Equinox memorial services, has observances similar to the March equinox memorial services.
 
Fall Ohigon (BU)
Fall Ohigon celebrates the September Equinox (Mahayana/North America).
 
September 25
Yom Kippur (JU)
Known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Work is prohibited, and its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im.
 
September 27
Mashiyyat – Baha’i Faith
The 11th Month of the Baha’i Calendar called Mashiyyat begins.
 
September 30
Kathina (BU)
At Kathin, ordained Buddhist monks and nuns in the Theravada tradition are given new robes. (Theravada/North America)
 
Sukkot (Sept 30-Oct 7) (JU)
Work is prohibited from October 1-2; work is permitted October 3-5 with restrictions. A Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (late September to late October). It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Hebrews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The holiday lasts seven days (eight in the diaspora). The first day is a Sabbath-like yom tov when work is forbidden, followed by the intermediate Chol Hamoed and Shemini Atzeret. The Sukkot period is a time to remember the Jewish people’s wandering in the desert for 40 years following their exodus from Egypt, according to Jewish teachings. It is also a time to celebrate the grape harvest. Some sources claim that Sukkot lasts for about seven days while others state that it is an eight-day festival. The seventh day of Sukkot is known as Hoshana Rabbah while the eighth day is known as Shmini Atzeret and the day after is called Simchat Torah.