Major events during the later part of June
Ramadan 30 Holy days ( International ) begins on June 2017
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, during which, for a period of thirty days, Muslims abstain from eating, and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Muslims do this because it is a pillar of Islam, and obligatory for everyone. In other words, God decreed this entire month holy for Muslims so that they can increase their remembrance of life after death. Muslims also abstain from all bad deeds and habits, like smoking, swearing, backbiting, and dis respectfulness. Muslims reflect upon themselves, their religion, and the characteristics of God. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting and abstaining from bad habits teaches Muslims self control, humility, and generosity. Ramadan is a time for charity, family, and good deeds. Muslims fast because they believe it is vital for spiritual health. Unlike the fast of Ashurah, the fasts of Ramadan are declared mandatory by God because like salah (praying towards Mecca), fasting helps Muslims maintain spiritual and physical health. The month of Ramadan begins when the new moon of Ramadan is sighted and ends when the new moon of Sha'ban is sighted. Muslims also believe that devils are chained up during Ramadan.
Inti Raymi, Inca festival Peru June 21 - 24
In 1944, a historical reconstruction of the Inti Raymi was directed by Faustino Espinoza Navarro and indigenous actors. The first reconstruction was largely based on the chronicles of Garcilaso de la Vega and only referred to the religious ceremony. Since 1944, a theatrical representation of the Inti Raymi has been taking place at Sacsayhuamán, two kilometers from its original celebration in central Cusco) on June 24 of each year, attracting thousands of tourists and local visitors.Inti Raymi is still celebrated in indigenous cultures throughout the Andes. Celebrations involve music, colorful costumes (most notable the woven aya huma mask) and the sharing of food. In many parts of the Andes though, this celebration has been connected to the western festivals of Saint John the Baptist, which falls on the day after the northern solstice (June 21).
The Bon-Fires of Saint John ( June 23rd )
The Bonfires of Saint John (Spanish: Hogueras de San Juan, Catalan: Fogueres de Sant Joan, Galician: Noite de San Xoán) is a traditional and popular festival celebrated around the world during Midsummer, which takes place on the evening of 23 June, St. John's Eve. It is customary in many cities and towns in Spain; the largest one takes place in Alicante, where it is the most important festival in the city. The biggest celebration in Portugal is held in Porto, where it is known as the Festa de São João do Porto.
" OGUN " The Hunting God of Lethal Metalwork June
One of the ORISHAS, he is an ancient hunting deity specializing in weapons of iron. Spears, knives, blades — and presumably nowadays guns and missiles. His powerful spirit lives inside metal and bestows his strength upon it. He also deals with justice and oaths. It’s common to invoke his name in an oath, but you need to touch a piece of metal while doing so. Preferably something weapon-related, such as the business end of a spear or nuclear warhead.
Major holiday events during the month of July
Dalai Lama Birth Day ( Buddhist ) July 6th
The 14th Dalai Lama (religious name: Tenzin Gyatso, shortened from Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, born Lhamo Dondrub, 6 July 1935) is the current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are important monks of the Gelug school, the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism[2] which is nominally headed by the Ganden Tripas. The 14th Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, and is known for his advocacy for Tibetans worldwide and his lifelong interest in modern science. During the 1959 Tibetan uprising, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he currently lives as a refugee. He has since traveled the world, advocating for the welfare of Tibetans, teaching Tibetan Buddhism, investigating the interface between Buddhism and science and talking about the importance of compassion as the source of a happy life. Around the world, institutions face pressure from China not to accept him.
The San Fermin Festival Spain July 6th - 14th
The Running of the Bulls is a part of the famous San Fermin festival - a practice that involves running in front of a small group of bulls (typically a dozen) that have been let loose on a course of a sectioned-off subset of a town's streets. A first rocket is set off at 8 a.m. to alert the runners that the corral gate is open. A second rocket signals that all six bulls have been released. The third and fourth rockets are signals that all of the herd has entered the bullring and its corral respectively, marking the end of the event. Every year between 200 and 300 people are injured during the run although most injuries are contusions due to falls and are not serious. So you think you're up for it?
Tanabata Star Festival ...JAPAN ...July 7th
It's said that the origin of Tanabata, which is also known as the Star Festival, dates back to more than 2,000 years ago. Its roots are described in an old Chinese tale. According to the tale, once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, they played all the time and began to neglect their work. This angered the king, who separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River (Milky Way) as punishment.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/japanese-tanabata-festival-1550123
Gedong Festival Shangri-la Tibet July 12th
Shangri-La ( China) Thousands of metres above sea level, high on the Tibetan plateau, hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist devotees in brilliant hues of pink and blue gathered for the Gedong festival. Lamas young and old mixed with festival-goers wearing traditional garb to watch the religious Cham dances at the Ganden Sumtseling monastery in Shangri-La. Masked, costumed monks portrayed a host of ghosts and deities from the pantheon of Tibetan Buddhist mythology, to the sounds of lamas playing traditional instruments -- crashing cymbals, drums and deep, vibrating ceremonial horns.
Saint Mary Magdalene's Feast Day Christian July 22nd
St. Mary Magdalene is one of the greatest saints of the Bible and a legendary example of God's mercy and grace. The precise dates of her birth and death are unknown, but we do know she was present with Christ during his public ministry, death and resurrection. She is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Gospels. Mary Magdalene has long been regarded as a prostitute or sexually immoral in western Christianity, but this is not supported in the scriptures. It is believed she was a Jewish woman who lived among Gentiles, living as they did. The Gospels agree that Mary was originally a great sinner. Jesus cast seven demons out of her when he met her. After this, she told several women she associated with and these women also became followers.
Furrina Day, Goddess of the spring water July 25th
This day represents the female goddess bringing forth life from the Earth's fresh water
Furrina was important enough once to have merited a festival, called the Furrinalia ( or the Furinales feriae, literally " festival of Furrina " ), which was held on the 25th of July, though nothing besides the name is known of Her holiday. She also had Her own priest, the flamen Furinalis ( flamens being one of 15 priests each dedicated to the cult of a particular Deity ); other Goddesses served by flamens include Flora, Pomona, Carmenta and Ceres. The obscurity of Furrina, as well as that of some of the other Deities who had flamens, such as Falacer ( Who was probably some sort of hero ) and Volturnus ( a River or Wind God, sometimes called the father of Juturna ), may indicate that these cults, and the worship of their Gods, are pre-Roman Republic in origin.
Ghost Month .... Asian ...Late July - August
Visitors to Taiwan around this time of year may be astonished to see huge banquets laid out on tables in the open air, to which nobody comes to dine; or boats slipping out of harbor late at night not to go fishing but merely to release beautiful lanterns onto the ocean; or teams of young men shinnying up greasy poles tens of meters into the air. "Why, what, how?"they must wonder. The seventh month of Taiwan's lunar calendar is better known as "ghost month". Various precautions and prohibitions are followed, and numerous festivals, rituals and banquets are held to ward off or appease the potentially malevolent spirits of the dead, which are believed to wander the Earth at this time.
https://sanaakosirickylee.wordpress.com/tag/hungry-ghost-festival/
Buddha's first Sermon Bhutan July 27th
Buddha was born as Siddhārtha Gautam. The first 29 years of his life he spent in a palace as a prince. At the age of 29 he left the palace to meet his subjects. He saw outside the palace an old man, a diseased man, an ascetic and a decaying corpse. These depressed him and he decided to become an ascetic. At the age of 35 he obtained enlightenment (Bodhi), he understood nature as a whole and the reasons why people suffer and the way to eliminate them. These discoveries became known as the Four Noble Truths. After enlightenment he became known as Buddha, that means “awakened one”. During the next couple of years he decided to start teaching people dharma. He read his first sermon in Sarnatha. Anniversary of this event is now known in Bhutan as The First Sermon of Lord Buddha.
Saint Olav's Day Norway July 28th
In 1930, 900 years after King Olav’s death at Stiklestad, 29 July, St. Olav’s Day, was reintroduced in Norway’s calendar as Olsok ( Olav’s Vigil, actually the eve of St. Olav’s Day ). The day had then been out of the calendar since Danish-Norwegian ecclesial legislation had removed it in 1542, due to the reformation. However, St. Olav’s Day had never been absent from the popular calendar and tradition. The axe in Norway’s coat of arms and in the traditional ecclesial coat of arms Olavsmerket, show that the memory of the saint king had never left the official language of symbols. Since its re-establishment in Norway in 1843, the Roman Catholic Church has celebrated Olsok, St. Olav’s Day, as a major feast in the church calendar. And since the Olsok renewal from the late 19th century, St. Olav’s Day has also been celebrated in some of the ( Lutheran ) Church of Norway’s churches, not the least in Nidaros Cathedral.
Feast of Throne ...Morocco ...July 30th
The present Moroccan royal family is from the Alaouite Dynasty. Moulay Ali Cherif, who became Sultan of Tafilat in 1631, was the founder of this dynasty. The Alaouite dynasty claims that they are successors of Muhammad. The Feast of the Throne is thus known as Eid Al-`Arch in Arabic to honor the rule of the Alaouite royal family on the empire. The festival was at first celebrated on November 18 when King Mohammed V was the emperor. Later, the date moved to March 3 during the reign of the late King Hassan II. Presently, it is celebrated on July 30, the day when King Muhammad VI was enthroned. Since 1999, there has been drastic change in the political and economic conditions under the reign of King Mohammed VI. Although there is high unemployment and destitution in the nation, tourism and foreign investment in urban areas are providing better chances for the economy to thrive. Over the years there has been a marked improvement in laws supporting human rights making the nation a better place to live in. Education and expanded rights, especially for women, has become more prominent. Additionally a law to protect the rich Berber culture has been passed.
Major festival events during the month of August
LughnAsadh Pagan Holydays Starting August 1st !
Lughnasadh is one of the eight high day celebrations in the modern Pagan Wheel of the Year. It’s celebrated on or near on August 1, roughly halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. It’s the first of three harvest festivals: Lughnasadh, the Fall Equinox, and Samhain.Lughnasadh is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and has pagan origins. The festival itself is named after the god Lugh. It involved great gatherings that included religious ceremonies, ritual athletic contests (most notably the Tailteann Games), feasting, matchmaking and trading. There were also visits to holy wells. According to folklorist Máire MacNeill, evidence shows that the religious rites included an offering of the 'first fruits', a feast of the new food and of bilberries, the sacrifice of a bull and a ritual dance-play in which Lugh seizes the harvest for mankind and defeats the powers of blight. Much of the activities would have taken place on top of hills and mountains.
Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples August 9th
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995–2004). In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005–2015, with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity". People from different nations are encouraged to participate in observing the day to spread the UN’s message on indigenous peoples. Activities may include educational forums and classroom activities to gain an appreciation and a better understanding of indigenous peoples. By resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
PUCK DAYS in County Kerry, Ireland ( August 10th)
Every year, for more than four hundred years, people gather from far and wide to celebrate Puck Fair in the town of Killorglin, County Kerry, in the scenic South-West of Ireland. For three days, a goat becomes king of the land, while the people act the goat. On the evening of the first day of the fair, known as The Gathering, a goat is crowned by the festival queen and hoisted onto a platform high above the rooftops. On the evening of the third day, The Scattering, the goat is lowered again and returned to graze on the surrounding hillsides.
On the Greek Island of Tinos ( August 15th )
August 15th: The day of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) This is the second biggest religious holiday after Easter and on the island of Tinos this day is celebrated like on no other. Pilgrims by the thousands come here to crawl on their knees up the steps to the church that holds the holy Icon. But this day is also celebrated in almost every town and village in Greece especially those with a church dedicated to the Panagia (Virgin Mary). That means on the days leading up to it every boat is full and in the islands every hotel is full so keep this in mind if you are traveling these dates. But in general booking a hotel on any island in August is difficult if you don't do it in advance.For modern Greeks, Ikaria island is the place to be on August 15! The most authentic local celebrations of the Virgin Mary’s day in Greece take place on this gorgeous island, attracting hundreds of travelers who rush there to get a glimpse of what a real Greek “panigiri”.Ikaria's amazing beaches and laid-back locals give quite a few more reasons for it to be your next destination! Don't miss the unique opportunity to revel with the Ikarians amidst village surroundings, traditional food, live music, non-stop dancing, and plenty of delicious Ikarian wine.
The Flooding of the Nile River EGYPT August 15th - 30th
The flooding of the Nile ( Arabic: عيد وفاء النيل ) has been an important natural cycle in Egypt since ancient times. It is celebrated by Egyptians as an annual holiday for two weeks starting August 15, known as Wafaa El-Nil. It is also celebrated in the Coptic Church by ceremonially throwing a martyr's relic into the river, hence the name, Esba` al-shahīd ( "The Martyr's Finger" ). Ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile flooded every year because of Isis's tears of sorrow for her dead husband, Osiris.
Lord Krisna's Birthday INDIA Mid-August
Hindus celebrate " Janmashtami " by fasting, worshipping Krishna and staying up until midnight, and offer prayers at special time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Images of Krishna's infancy are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also conduct readings of the Hindu religious scripture Bhagavad Gita One of the major attractions of the festival include Rasa lila or Rasa dance, which is mainly performed in Mathura and Vrindavan describing the story of Krishna who dances with Radha and her companions. Another ritual that is followed as part of Krishna Janmashtami is Dahi Handi or uriadi, during which young men break the hanging pot of butter by forming human tower. It is observed to celebrate the Lord's mischievous act of stealing butter. As part of the celebration, children dress up as Krishna and Radha to take part in processions and competitions.
MOST of the major holidays and festivals
during the Earth Year in INDIA
http://www.drikpanchang.com/
Tisha B'Av Jewish Holy Day Mid-August 14th 2016
Tisha B'Av is a day of fasting and mourning to remembers many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. The main tragedies being the destruction of the first (by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.) and second (by the Romans in 70 C.E.) Holy Temples in Jerusalem. Both of which were destroyed on the 9th of Av (5th Month of the Jewish Calendar). Tisha B'Av ends a three week mourning period, which starts with another fast, namely the fast of the 17th of Tammuz (10th Month of the Jewish Calendar), which commemorates the first breach in the walls of Jerusalem, before the First Temple was destroyed. During this three week period, weddings and other parties are not permitted, and people refrain from cutting their hair. From the first to the ninth of Av, it is customary to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine (except on the Sabbath) and from wearing new clothing.
International Camel Derby & Festival – August 2017
The Derby takes place Kenya, Africa at Maralal, Samburu District, centered at Yare Club & Camp, just four kilometres south of Maralal town on the Nyahururu road. . It is also a spectacular festival packed with a variety of events that draws visitors from all over the world. The Derby has been on the go since 1990, with entries from Australia, America, New Zealand, Canada, England, France, Spain, Japan, South Africa and beyond competing against the reigning Kenya champions in both the amateur and professional races. The route runs through semi-desert regions with varying levels of difficulty and camels (with or without handlers) are available to hire for those wishing to compete.
Qixi Festival China Mid- Late August
Tonight, if you look up at the sky, you might be able to spot two stars that originated with a pair of truly star-crossed lovers: the “Weaving Maid and the Cowherd.” Today’s Qixi Festival celebrates their origin myth. According to the Han Dynasty-era story, an oxherd, Niulang, with the help of his ox, married a fairy, Zhinü, who became a weaver girl. When Zhinü's mother, an empress, discovered her daughter had married a mortal, she returned Zhinü to heaven. Niulang pursued Zhinü using the magic of the ox’s hide. To keep the lovers apart, the empress slashed across the sky, forming a Heavenly River of stars known as The Milky Way. Niulang and Zhinu became the stars Altair and Vega, which come closest together on the Qixi Festival. So the tale goes, magpies were allowed to form a bridge for the lovers to meet once a year on the seventh night of the seventh lunar month in the Chinese lunar calendar. As Zhinü was a weaver, tradition dictates you can show your loved ones you appreciate them today with handmade gifts like scarves or hats! Happy Qixi Festival 2017!
Santa Rosa de Lima Festival Lima Peru August 30th
Santa Rosa was beatified in 1667 by Pope Clement IX and canonized, as the first Saint in the New World, on the 12th of April 1671 by Pope Clemente X, who designating the 30th of August to her. This day is still a public holiday in Peru (and many other Latin American countries) and a very special day for all people who adore her, especially in Lima. In honor of Santa Rosa de Lima the 30th of August is a public holiday in Peru. On this day relgious celebrations take place in downtown Lima incl. a procession from the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo to Lima's Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. Numerous followers also visit the Church and Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima especially on this day.
Hajj pilgrimage Saudi Arabia End of August-September
Two million pilgrims have arrived at the holy city Mecca for the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj - the largest of its kind in the world. This year, the first day of the pilgrimage will be on 30 August and it will end on 4 September, Saudi Arabia’s High Judicial Court confirmed. To complete one of the pillars of Islam, all Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetimes if they have the means to do so. Traditionally, the pilgrimage to Mecca was mainly an overland journey using camels as a means of transport. During the second half of the nineteenth century (after 1850s), steamships began to be used in the pilgrimage journey to Mecca, and the number of pilgrims traveling on sea route increased. This continued for some time, until air travel came to predominate; Egypt introduced the first airline service for Hajj pilgrims in 1937. Today, many airlines and travel agents offer Hajj packages, and arrange for transportation and accommodation for the pilgrims
Eid al-Adha Muslim Celebration September 1st 2017
Eid al-Adha commemorates when God appeared to Abraham -- known as Ibrahim to Muslims -- in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and gave him a sheep to kill in place of his son. A version of the story also appears in the Torah and in the Bible's Old Testament. To commemorate God's test of Ibrahim, many Muslim families sacrifice an animal and share the meat with the poor. They also are required to donate to charities that benefit the poor. Muslims also routinely exchange presents during the holiday.
National Wildlife Day September 4th
National Wildlife Day is observed annually on September 4th. Take a trip down to your local zoo and celebrate! Wild animals are fascinating and amazing creatures that we can appreciate and learn from. National Wildlife Day is about two important things: raising awareness for endangered animals and appreciating U.S. zoos, sanctuaries, farms, etc. for helping to preserve our wildlife.
http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-wildlife-day-september-4/
ANCIENT ( Grape Festival August 20th - September 5th )
As an important transportation junction on the ancient Silk Road, ( Turpan )absorbs various culture types of Central Asia and Eastern Europe, which boasts an abundance of cultural relics and historic sites, peculiar folk customs of Uygur minority and the marvelous landscape of desert oasis. Thanks to these, Turpan becomes a hot attraction for travelers from home and abroad to appreciate the ancient civilization of the Western Regions and the vast desert landscape. During the annual Turpan Grape Festival, there are a number of interesting and exiting activities. On the festival, a large-scale firework display, and a singing and dancing gala mark the opening of the festival on the first night. Events on the festival include a Wedding in the Uygur style, mashlap (lively and humorous folk dance), nazkum (witty art performance), Koco style songs and dances, Hami-melon competition, trade negotiations, tour of the Street of Grapes and Melons.
http://www.f-c-n.com/f-c-n/jin_e/ContentDetail.aspx?id=301170695
Nanda Devi Festival INDIA Early September
In the hilly state of Uttarakhand, there are a large number of temples. These temples are the venues of many fairs that are held when the festivals are celebrated. The essentially religious minded people of the state celebrate the Nanda Devi Fair in remembrance of the goddesses Nanda and Sunanda. The fair started way back in the 16th century. According to legend, the fair was initiated by Raja Kalyan Chand. This cultural carnival is of immense religious and cultural significance. The term Nanda means prosperity and well being. If the Nanda Devi Mela is held with a great deal of pomp and grandeur, it symbolizes the economic and cultural prosperity of the region. People participate in the procession which carries the dola (litter) of Nanda Devi. The goddess is devotedly worshipped in the temple.
https://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-and-festivals/uttaranchal/nanda-devi-fair.html
2017 Full Moon on September 6th
The Harvest Moon is the last Full Moon during the summer phase.The September full moon is known as "Harvest Moon," for it is during this month that most of the crops are harvested. "Hunters Moon" is the name given to the full moon of October, when foliage is full grown and the deer would be plenty and slow to move. November's full moon is called the "Beaver Moon" because the beaver population peaked during this month, and natives would set traps to catch them.
Feast of Saint Januarius Naples, Italy September 19th
St Januarius, or San Gennaro, was martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian around 305 CE. It is believed that Januarius was born in Benevento, northeast of Naples, in the 3rd century CE. He became the local priest of his parish at 15, and then was appointed as the Bishop of Naples at 20. St Januarius is believed to have died while visiting Christians imprisoned in Rome.Many devoted Catholics travel to the Doumo (cathedral) of Naples on September 19, where it is believed that the patron saint’s blood liquefies. People also travel to the cathedral to witness this “miracle of the blood” on December 16 and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May.
Sharad Navratri falls in the Lunar month Ashwin during Sharad Ritu, which gives it the name Sharad Navratri. The Hindu festival Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars also referred to as the 'Nav Durga'. On each of the nine days of Navratri, devotees worship a form of Durga or Shakti with special offerings, and traditional rituals to seek the divine goddess' blessings. Sharad Navratri usually falls in the month of September or October. Special fast meal laden with milk and fruits which are also permissible during the Navratri fasting. On the eighth and ninth day there is also a tradition of celebrating Kanjak or Kanya Pooja, wherein devotees offer nine little girls (who are worshipped as the avatars of Navdurga) some delicious poori, channa and halwa prasad.
Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year Sept 21st 2017
What do honey, fish and hollowed out rams horns have in common? They are all integral parts of Jewish New Year, otherwise known as Rosh Hashanah, which starts on 20 September and ends two days later. Literally meaning "the head of the year" in Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah is usually celebrated in September, although its exact date moves every year as the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Last year it began on 2 October.