Today@Dal

The Multifaith Calendar provides our community with a robust and interactive calendar, highlighting the range of important religious and cultural observations that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of faiths and cultural observances celebrated within the University.

Explore educational resources from the Office for Equity and Inclusion. 

August 1: Lughnasa

In ancient times this sacred day marked the beginning of harvest, honoring the Celtic God of Lugh. In Gaelic folklore it was a time for handfastings or trial marriages that would last a year and a day could be renewed. Many celebrate the holiday today with re-unions, bonfires and dancing.

August 1: Lammas (Also called Lughnasad)

Lammas is the celebration of the grain harvest, the Harvest of First Fruits. Many traditions celebrate Lammas as the funeral of Lugh, the sun God whose strength is visibly waning by late summer.

August 3: Layman P’ang-Yun Memorial

Anniversary of the death of Layman Pang. He is considered a model of the potential of the non-monastic Buddhist follower to live an exemplary Buddhist life. (Mahāyāna - Zen) China, Japan, North America

August 5: Natal Day

Natal Day is the annual birthday celebration of the communities of Halifax and Dartmouth. It is a time where citizens, former citizens, guests and tourists celebrate our civic holiday.

August 6: Transfiguration

Transfiguration celebrates the appearance of Jesus in a transfigured state during his earthly life to three of his disciples.

August 8: Fravardeghan Days begin (Shenshai)

Fravardeghan Days, also known as Muktad (memorializing ancestors), are ten days (August 8 - 17) in preparation for Nowruz (the start of the New Year), observed by Zoroastrians who follow the Shenshai calendar. This ten-day period is a time for reflection, examination of conscience, and repentance for all wrongs done within the year that is coming to an end.

August 9: International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People (UN)

This day was created to further strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development.

August 12: Eve of Tish'a B'Av

Observance begins at sundown. 

August 13: Tish’a B’Av

Tish’a B’Av, the Ninth day of the month of Av, is a major fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in ancient times.

August 15: National Acadian Day

This day recognizes Acadians who, in view of their origin, history, and development, constitute the first permanent settlement from France in Canada and now reside in most of the provinces and territories of Canada.

It also celebrates the contributions of the Acadian people, for nearly 400 years, to the economic, cultural, and social vitality of Canada and allows Acadians to share their rich historical and cultural heritage with the rest of Canadians allowing them to become more familiar with all its aspects, both traditional and contemporary of the Acadian tradition.

August 18: Nowruz (Shensai)

Nowruz is the start of the New Year for Zoroastrians who follow the Shenshai Calendar, and the beginning of the year 1394 AY (After Yazdegird III, the last of the Zoroastrian kings of Persia).

August 19: Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan (tying on protection) is a festival in which married and unmarried girls and women tie amulets on the wrists of their brothers for protection against evil.

August 19: Asmá’

Asmá’ (Names), the ninth month of the Bahá’í­ year.

August 23: International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (UNESCO)

Annually observed on this day to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade.

August 24: Birth Anniversary of Zarathustra

The birth anniversary of the Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), who was born at the beginning of the first millennium BCE. It is one of the most important Zoroastrian festivals. Known as Khordad Sal, Zarathushtis gather in Fire temples for prayers and then celebrate with feasting. (According to the Shensai calendar.)

August 26: Festival of Ksitigarbha (Jizo) Bodhisattva

Ksitibarbha (jp. Jizo) Bodhisattva is the saviour of beings who suffer in the hellish realms, as well as the guardian of children and patron of deceased children in Japanese culture. (Mahāyāna) Japan, North America

August 26: Sri Krishna Jayanti

(Also called Janmashtami) celebrates the birthday of Krishna, the eighth of the 10 incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Krishna is considered the preserver of the universe and is one of Hinduism’s most popular deities.

August 31: Paryushana-parva begins

(Ends Sept 8) The holiest period of the year for the ascetic Shvetambara sect. This 8 day period, concluding on Samvatsari, is a time of dedication to Jain ideals through fasting, worship of the Jina, and reading the life-story of Lord Mahavira from the Kalpasutra.