2003 Hindu Holidays

* 1/1: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Anti Racism Information Service website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 1/10: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 1/13: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 1/19: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 1/31: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 2/4: Vigil for peace, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in Sri Lanka. [Sri Lanka gained its independence on 2/4/1948; Sri Lanka's civil war arises out of the legal preference given to the Sinhala people, the Sinhalese language, and the Buddhist religion over the Tamil people, the Tamil language, and the Hindu religion. The Sri Lankan civil war has been ongoing since 1983. On 2/22/2002, the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers guerrilla organization signed a cease fire and, on 12/5/2002, an agreement was reached to develop a federal structure of government with regional autonomy. However, the Tamil Tigers pulled out of peace talks in 4/2003, claiming they were being marginalized.] [For a timeline on the conflict, see BBC News website. For information on the peace process, see Sri Lankan government peace process website; National Peace Council of Sri Lanka website. For information on the human rights situation, see Human Rights Watch report: Sri Lanka; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2002: Sri Lanka.]

* 2/6: Sarasvati Puja--Hindu festival honoring Goddess Sarasvati, who represents wisdom, intellect, and knowledge, as well as inspiration, arts, and music. Hindus' life goals are ethical living, passionate love, prosperity, and spiritual devotion. [Mantra to Sarasvati: Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah] [a/k/a Vasant Panchami, Sri Panchami]

* 2/9: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 2/12: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 2/18: Birthday of Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836), Hindu mystic who fervently loved Great Goddess Maha Devi - Mother of God, Mother of Nature, Elemental Matter, and Cosmic Power. He recognized Her immanence in all, and knew Her to be a manifestation of the one universal Deity. [Death day 8/16/1886]

* 3/1: Day the production and use of landmines was outlawed world-wide (1999); day to mourn their victims. [Protocol on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices a/k/a Convention on Landmines a/k/a Mine Ban Treaty, amending the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: Treaty signed/adopted 10/10/1980; entered into force 12/2/1983; Protocol signed 12/3/1997; entered into force 3/1/1999.] [The U.S., India, and Nepal have not ratified the Protocol.] [There are between 60 and 70 million landmines in the ground of 70+ countries. Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 civilians each year, including 8,000 to 10,000 children. In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website; Adopt a Minefield website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 3/1 to 3/2: Mahashivaratri--Hindu fast, night vigil, and feast for God-Goddess Shiva-Shakti (union of Will and Power), who dances to create, destroy, and re-create the universe. Tantric Hindus believe Shiva is within all men and Shakti within all women; they recognize gender equality and reject caste. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shivaratri, Mahashivaratra, Shiva's Night, Bhole ka Vrat, Shiva Vrat, Shiva's Fast, Shiva Puja]

* 3/8: International Women's Day--Day to mourn victims of gender-based oppression and misogyny (past and present), make peace, and celebrate women's empowerment. [For information on International Women's Day, see United Nations website; A history of International Women's Day.]

* 3/11: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 3/14: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, Watering Eleventh, Amla Sinchan Gyas, Phalgun Sudi 11]

* 3/14 to 3/18: Holi--Hindu festival celebrating the courting of God Shiva by Goddess Parvati, and the efforts on Her behalf by Kama (God of Love) and Rati (Goddess of Passion). Hindus believe all Gods and Goddesses are aspects of the one Great God-Goddess Maha Deva-Maha Devi, the limitless, attributeless, immanent, and transcendent Brahman. Shaivas are devoted to God Shiva in all His aspects. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Little Holi, Bihar Holi, Sri Chaitanya]

* 3/26: Day production and use of biological weapons was outlawed world-wide (1975); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction a/k/a Biological Weapons Convention: signed 4/10/1972; entered into force 3/26/1975.] [India is believed to currently have a biological weapons research program in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. India has ratified the Treaty.] [In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention website; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 3/31: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 4/2 to 4/11: Navaratri/Gangaur--Hindu festival honoring Great Goddess Maha Devi as Gauri - life, growth, and fruition. Shaktas are devoted to Great Goddess Maha Devi in all Her aspects. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Chetra Navratras, Navaratra, Gauri Tritiya, Devi ki Karahi, Devi Vrat, Devi Puja]

* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]

* 4/10 to 4/11: Ramanavami--Birthday of Hindu God Rama (avatar of Vishnu), protector of beloved wife, Goddess Sita (avatar of Lakshmi). [Mantra to Rama: Om Sri Ramaya Namah] [a/k/a Rama Navmi, Ram Navmi]

* 4/13: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 4/14: Vaisakhi/Indian Solar New Year--Hindus ritually bathe in the Ganges River to purify themselves. [a/k/a Baisakhi]

* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.]

* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, or political opinion (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 4/29: Day production and use of chemical weapons was outlawed world-wide (1997); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons a/k/a Chemical Weapons Convention: signed 1/13/1993; entered into force 4/29/1997.] [India is believed to currently possess chemical weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. India has ratified the Treaty.] [In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons webpage; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Chemical Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 4/29: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 5/1: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. [For an overview of U.S. Supreme Court cases on freedom of religion under the U.S. Constitution, see First Amendment Cyber-Tribune.] [For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report; Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief.] [For the text and more information on the Constitution's First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website.] [For information on organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website; American Civil Liberty Union website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 5/12: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 5/28: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 6/8: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 6/11: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, Waterless Eleventh, Nirjala Ekadashi, Jyesth Sudi 11]

* 6/27: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 7/1: Day the world's nations committed to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968); vigil to protest the production and use of all nuclear weapons world-wide. [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970.] [India has developed nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. India has not ratified the Treaty.] [In the names of Devi, Vishnu, and Shiva, and for love of Them, Hindus should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website. For information on India's nukes, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]

* 7/7: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 7/10: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, Gods' Sleeping Eleventh, Dev Shayani Ekadashi, Asharh Sudi 11]

* 7/27: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 8/5: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 8/8: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 8/15: Day India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, and Kashmir joined India over Pakistan's objection (1947); vigil for true peace, justice, and religious tolerance for all in South Asia. [India has a secular democratic government and its populace is largely Hindu. Pakistan has a military government and its populace is largely Muslim. Kashmir's population is largely Muslim, but its ruler chose to join India on 10/26/1947. The U.N. proposed a plebiscite to determine the Kashmiri people's preference on 1/5/1949, but it has never been held. India and Pakistan have fought 3 wars over Kashmir, and now have an uneasy peace.] [Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons and have threatened to use them. Both have also refused to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.] [On 4/10/2003, India threatened to attack Pakistan for allowing Pakistani terrorists to attack the Indian Parliament in 12/2001 and for allowing continuing attacks on Kashmiri India. India asserted the same right to preemptive war as asserted by the U.S. and the U.K. in attacking Iraq. However, on 4/19/2003, India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called for peace talks with Pakistan and offered to normalize relations. Pakistan's Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has indicated an interest in peace talks and agreed to normalize relations.] [For information on the nuclear problem, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) website: Indo-Pakistani Conflict; India's nukes; Pakistan's nukes. For information on the history of the conflict, see Jammu & Kashmir : The Complete Knowledge Base. For information on human rights, see Human Rights Watch report: India; Human Rights Watch report: Pakistan; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2002: India; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2002: Pakistan.]

* 8/19 to 8/20: Sri Krishna Jayanti--Birthday of Hindu God Krishna (avatar of God Vishnu), beloved of Goddess Radha (avatar of Goddess Lakshmi). Vaishnavas are devoted to God Vishnu and His avatars. [Mantra to Krishna: Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah] [a/k/a Janmashtami, Janmastami, Govinda]

* 8/25: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic]

* 8/31 to 9/9: Ganesha Chaturthi--Hindu festival honoring God Ganesha (son of Goddess Parvati and God Shiva) as the challenger - creator and remover of obstacles. [Mantra to Ganesha: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah] [a/k/a Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Chaturathi, Ganesh Chauth]

* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see WomenWatch: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 9/6: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 9/10 to 9/26: Saradhas--Hindu festival in which offerings are made for departed ancestors. [a/k/a Sraddhas, Pitr-Paksha]

* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.]

* 9/24: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 9/26 to 10/5: Navaratri/Durga Puja--Hindu festival of Great Goddess Maha Devi as Durga, protector of the powerless; celebrates Her destruction of evil and restoration of cosmic order. Hindus' life goals are ethical living, passionate love, prosperity, and spiritual devotion. [Mantra to Durga: Om Sri Durgayai Namah] [a/k/a Asuj Navratras, Navaratra, Sanjhi, Dassehra, Dussehra, Devi Vrat, Devi Puja]

* 10/2: Birthday of Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi (1869), Hindu advocate for human rights and self-reliance, who practiced active non-violent resistance to injustice. [a/k/a Gandhi Jayanti] [Death day 1/30/1948]

* 10/5: Dassehra--Recounts the rescue of Hindu Goddess Sita (avatar of Lakshmi) by God Rama (avatar of Vishnu) from an evil demon. [Mantra to Rama: Om Sri Ramaya Namah] [a/k/a Dasara, Dasera, Dussera, Dussehra]

* 10/6: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 10/22 to 10/25: Diwali/Lunar New Year/Festival of Lights--Hindu festival for Goddess Lakshmi (source of health, fertility, and prosperity) and Her consort, God Vishnu (the preserver of life); focus is on peace-making and new beginnings. [Mantra to Lakshmi: Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah] [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Divali, Dipavali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Divas]

* 10/23: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 10/25: Kali Puja--Hindu festival honoring Great Goddess Maha Devi as Kali - decay, death, and transformation. [Mantra to Kali: Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah]

* 11/1: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 11/4: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh, Gods' Awakening Eleventh, Dev Uthani Gyas, Karttik Sudi 11]

* 11/7: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 11/20: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]

* 11/22: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 11/27: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.

* 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.] [For information on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, see Human Rights Watch website.]

* 12/1: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

* 12/4: Vishnu Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Vishnu: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya] [a/k/a Vishnu Vrat, Ekadashi, Vishnu's Eleventh]

* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day] [Text of Declaration] [For more information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website.] [The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [text of Covenant] is enforced by the Human Rights Committee [see Human Rights Committee website; University of Minnesota Human Rights Library website] and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. [See Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website.] The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights [text of Covenant] is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. [See Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights website.]

* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day] [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website] [For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.]

* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 12/21: Shiva Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Shiva (the creator and destroyer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya] [a/k/a Shiva Vrat, Shiv Teras, Shiva's Thirteenth]

* 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 12/30: Devi Puja--Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu Goddess Maha Devi (Great Goddess who encompasses all Goddesses). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. [Mantra to Devi: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti] [a/k/a Devi Vrat, Devi Ashtami, Devi's Eighth]

[Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) originated in India but is now practiced throughout South Asia, and in East Asia, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. The holy scripture of the Hindus is the Vedas: the Rig Veda (containing verses of praise), the Yajur Veda (containing ritual offering requirements), the Sama Veda (containing verses or chants for ritual offerings), and the Atharva Veda (containing magical verses). Hindu sacred literature also includes the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, the Upanishads, the Sutras, the Sastras, the Epics, and the Puranas. There are three primary denominations of Hinduism: Shaivism (including Yoga) is focused on God Shiva in all His aspects, Shaktism is focused on Great Goddess Maha Devi (who encompasses all Goddesses), and Vaishnavism is focused on God Vishnu and His avatars (including Rama and Krishna). Tantrism (Tantra), a smaller denomination of Hinduism, is focused on either Shiva and Devi/Shakti or Vishnu and Devi/Lakshmi (or Krishna and Radha). Hinduism is also practiced as Yoga and Smarta (first introduced to non-Indians in the United States by Swami Vivekananda), and includes organizations such as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna Movement), founded by Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.]

[Devotion to Deity (Bhakti) is often expressed with poetry, music, and dance. Hindus offer daily puja (worship) to the Deity in home shrines or village temples. To honor a Deity, some Hindus fast from grains (vrat) (in addition to meat) for a day each week, fortnight, or month. Deities are also honored during Hindu festivals. Hindu holidays have different names, meanings, and practices, depending on whether the celebrants are Shaivas, Shaktas, Vaishnaivas, or Tantrics, and depending on the region of India that the holiday is celebrated.]

[Hindu holidays are dated based on the Indian lunisolar calendar (Bikrami calendar or Vikram Samvat). In different localities, festivals may be celebrated a day earlier or a day later than the date given.]

Some Hindu Mantras:

* Shiva Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya
* Devi Mantra: Om Maha Mata Devi; Om Adi Shakti Om Sarab Shakti
* Durga Mantra: Om Sri Durgayai Namah
* Kali Mantra: Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah
* Vishnu Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
* Rama Mantra: Om Sri Ramaya Namah
* Krishna Mantra: Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah
* Lakshmi Mantra: Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah
* Sarasvati Mantra: Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
* Ganesh Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

[It is recommended that mantras be used only after receiving appropriate teachings and initiations.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:

Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2003
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2002 Page Two, Inc.
WheeloftheYear@BookArts.com
www.WheeloftheYear.com

All Gods and Goddesses
are aspects of
the One Deity

The One Deity
is reflected in
all Gods and Goddesses

The One Deity
is Deity of all

Deity is
male and female,
yet genderless

Deity is
all forms,
yet formless

Deity is
within all;
Deity is
beyond all

Deity is
all-embracing
love

With all that
is known by all
the world's sages,
with all that
is written in all
sacred books,
with all that
is experienced
in all
spiritual traditions,
we still cannot
know
the unknowable--

Deity is Mystery

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year... a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

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Year 2008 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

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Year 2008 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2008

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2008

Baha'i Holidays - 2008

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Hindu Holidays - 2008

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2008

Buddhist Holidays - 2008

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2008

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2008

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2008

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Meteor Showers - 2008

Visible Planets - 2008

Astrological Periods - 2008

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Year 2007 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2007

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2007

Baha'i Holidays - 2007

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Hindu Holidays - 2007

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2007

Buddhist Holidays - 2007

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2007

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2007

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2007

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Meteor Showers - 2007

Visible Planets - 2007

Astrological Periods - 2007

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Year 2006 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2006

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2006

Baha'i Holidays - 2006

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Hindu Holidays - 2006

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2006

Buddhist Holidays - 2006

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2006

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2006

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Meteor Showers - 2006

Visible Planets - 2006

Astrological Periods - 2006

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The Mystic's Wheel of the Year...
a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

Year 2008
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2008
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2008

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2008

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2008

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2008

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2008

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Year 2007
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2007

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2007

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2007

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2007

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2007

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Year 2006
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2006

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2006

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2006

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2006

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2006

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Year 2005
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2005

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2005

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2005

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2005

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2005

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2005

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2005

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2005

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2005

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2005

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2005

Year 2004
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2004

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2004

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2004

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2004

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2004

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2004

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2004

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2004

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2004

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2004

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2004