Editing Religious festival

{{Short description|Time of special importance marked by adherents of some religion}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Holi Festival of Colors Utah, United States 2013.jpg|thumb| Celebration of the [[Hindu]] festival of [[Holi]] at [[Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple (Spanish Fork)|Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple]] in [[Utah]], [[United States]]]]
A '''religious festival''' is a time of special importance marked by adherents to that [[religion]].  Religious festivals are commonly celebrated on recurring cycles in a [[calendar year]] or [[lunar calendar]]. The science of religious rites and festivals is known as [[heortology]].

== Ancient Roman ==
{{Main|Roman festivals}}
[[Image:Compitalia fresco.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Roman men thought to be participating in the [[Compitalia]] festival, in a wall painting from [[Pompeii]]]]

Festivals ''(feriae)'' were an important part of [[religion in ancient Rome|Roman religious life]] during both the [[Roman Republic|Republican]] and [[Roman Empire|Imperial eras]], and were one of the primary features of the [[Roman calendar]]. ''Feriae'' ("holidays" in the sense of "holy days") were either public ''(publicae)'' or private ''([[privatus|privatae]])''. State holidays were celebrated by the Roman people and received public funding. ''Feriae privatae'' were holidays celebrated in honor of private individuals or by families.<ref>[[H.H. Scullard]], ''Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic'' (Cornell University Press, 1981), pp. 38–39.</ref>

The 1st-century BC scholar [[Varro]] defined ''feriae'' as "days instituted for the sake of the gods."<ref>Varro, ''De lingua Latina'' 6.12 ''(dies deorum causa instituti'', as cited by Scullard, p. 39, noting also the phrase ''dis dedicati'', "dedicated to the gods," in [[Macrobius]], ''Saturnalia'' 1.16.2.</ref> A deity's festival often marked the anniversary (''[[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#dies natalis|dies natalis]],'' "birthday") of the founding of the deity's temple, or a rededication after a major renovation.<ref>[[Hendrik Wagenvoort]], "Initia Cereris," in ''Studies in Roman Literature, Culture and Religion'' (Brill, 1956), pp. 163–164.</ref> Public business was suspended for the performance of religious rites on the ''feriae''. [[Cicero]] says that people who were free should not engage in lawsuits and quarrels, and [[slavery in ancient Rome|slaves]] should get a break from their labors.<ref>Cicero, ''De legibus'' 2.29, as cited by Scullard, ''Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic,'' p. 39.</ref> On calendars of the Republic and early Empire, the [[Roman calendar#Character of the day|religious status days]] were marked by letters such as ''F'' (for ''[[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#fasti|fastus]])'', and ''N'' (for ''[[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#nefastus|nefastus]]'', when political activities and the administration of justice were prohibited). By the late 2nd century AD, extant calendars no longer show these letters, probably as a result of calendar reforms undertaken by [[Marcus Aurelius]] that recognized the changed religious environment of the empire.<ref>Michele Renee Salzman, ''On Roman Time: The Codex Calendar of 354 and the Rhythms of Urban Life in Late Antiquity'' (University of California Press, 1990), pp. 17, 178.</ref>

[[File:Fasti Praenestini Massimo n2.jpg|thumb|A fragment of the ''[[Fasti Praenestini]]'' for April ''([[Aprilis]]''), with the festivals of [[Vinalia]] ''(VIN)'' and [[Robigalia]] ''(ROB)'' marked in capital letters]]
On surviving Roman calendars, festivals that appear in large capital letters (such as the [[Lupercalia]] and [[Parilia]]) are thought to have been the most ancient holidays, becoming part of the calendar before 509 BC.<ref>Scullard,  ''Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic'', p. 41.</ref> Some of the oldest festivals are not named for deities.<ref>Wagenvoort, "Initia Cereris," pp. 163–164.</ref> During the [[Roman Empire|Imperial period]], several traditional festivals localized at Rome became less important, and the birthdays and anniversaries of the emperor and his family gained prominence as Roman holidays. Games ''([[ludi]])'', such as the [[Ludi Apollinares]], were often dedicated to particular deities, but were not technically ''feriae'', although they might be holidays in the modern sense of days off work ''([[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#festus|dies festi]])''.  After the mid-1st century AD, there were more frequent [[Roman Empire#Recreation and spectacles|spectacles and games]] ''([[ludi circenses|circenses]])'' held in the venue called a "[[circus (building)|circus]]", in honor of various deities or for imperial anniversaries ''([[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#dies imperii|dies Augusti]])''. A religious festival held on a single day, such as the [[Floralia]], might be expanded with games over multiple days ''(Ludi Florae)''; the festival of [[Flora (mythology)|Flora]] is seen as a precursor of [[May Day]] festivities.<ref>Salzman, ''On Roman Time,'' pp. 17, 120ff., 178; entry on "Bacchanalia and Saturnalia," in ''The Classical Tradition'', edited by [[Anthony Grafton]], [[Glenn W. Most]], and Salvatore Settis (Harvard University Press, 2010), p. 116.</ref>

A major source for Roman holidays is [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Fasti (poem)|Fasti]]'', a poem that describes and provides origins for festivals from [[Ianuarius|January]] to [[Iunius (month)|June]] at the time of [[Augustus]]. Because it ends with June, less is known about Roman festivals in the second half of the year, with the exception of the [[Saturnalia]], a religious festival in honor of [[Saturn (mythology)|Saturn]] on December 17 that expanded with celebrations through December 23. Probably the best-known Roman festival, some of its customs, such as gift-giving and the prevalence of candles, are thought to have influenced popular celebrations of [[Christmas]].<ref>[[Mary Beard (classicist)|Mary Beard]], J.A. North, and S.R.F. Price, ''Religions of Rome: A Sourcebook'' (Cambridge University Press, 1998), vol. 2, p. 124; Craig A. Williams, ''Martial: Epigrams Book Two'' (Oxford University Press, 2004), p. 259 (on the custom of gift-giving); entry on "Bacchanalia and Saturnalia," in ''The Classical Tradition'', p. 116; C. Bennet Pascal, "October Horse," ''Harvard Studies in Classical Philology'' 85 (1981), p. 289.</ref>

== Buddhist ==
{{Main|List of Buddhist festivals|Buddhist holidays}}
[[Japanese festivals]] and [[Barua festivals]] often involve [[Buddhist culture]], as do [[pagoda festival]]s held as [[fairs]] held at [[List of Buddhist temples in Thailand|Buddhist temples in countries such as Thailand]]. Features of Buddhist [[Tibetan festivals]] may include the traditional [[cham dance]], which is also a feature of some Buddhist festivals in [[India]] and [[Bhutan]]. Many festivals of Nepal are religious festivals involving Buddhism.

== Christian ==
[[File:Easter-Eggs-1.jpg|thumb|Easter eggs]]
{{See also|Category:Christian festivals|Christian music festival|Patronal festival}}
The central festival of [[Christianity]] is [[Easter]], on which Christians celebrate their belief that [[Jesus Christ]] [[Death and resurrection of Jesus|rose from the dead]] on the third day after his [[crucifixion]]. Even for Easter, however, there is no agreement among the various Christian traditions regarding the date or manner of the observance, less for [[Christmas]], [[Pentecost]], or various other holidays. Both [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]s observe certain festivals commemorating events in the life of Christ, and as well as [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] they often celebrate [[patronal festivals]]. Of these, the two most important are Christmas, which commemorates the [[Birth of Jesus]], and Easter, which marks his [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]].

== Festival of Faiths ==
A celebration of [[interfaith dialogue]], the first Festival of Faiths was held in Louisville, Kentucky,<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=Leslie|date=14 November 1996|title="Festival to Showcase Religious Diversity"|work=The Courier-Journal}}</ref> and in 1998, Senator [[Wendell Ford]] passed a resolution in the United States Congress "to express the sense of the Senate that the Louisville Festival of Faiths should be commended and should serve as model for similar festivals in other communities throughout the United States."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-resolution/274/text?r=17&s=1|title = Text - S.Res.274 - 105th Congress (1997-1998): A resolution to express the sense of the Senate that the Louisville Festival of Faiths should be commended and should serve as model for similar festivals in other communities throughout the United States|date = 9 October 1998|access-date = 14 June 2020|archive-date = 14 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200614183037/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-resolution/274/text?r=17&s=1|url-status = live}}</ref> Several cities throughout the United States now host interfaith festivals including Kansas City, Kansas,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Festival of Faiths in Kansas City|url=https://hwpi.harvard.edu/pluralismarchive/festival-faiths-kansas-city|access-date=2020-06-14|website=hwpi.harvard.edu|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614183042/https://hwpi.harvard.edu/pluralismarchive/festival-faiths-kansas-city|url-status=live}}</ref> St Louis, Missouri,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interfaith Inspiration: Louisville, Kentucky's "Festival of Faiths"|url=https://www.interfaithstl.org/2012/06/01/interfaith-inspiration-louisville-kentuckys-festival-of-faiths/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614183038/https://www.interfaithstl.org/2012/06/01/interfaith-inspiration-louisville-kentuckys-festival-of-faiths/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Indianapolis, Indiana <ref>{{Cite web|last=SAAHIR|first=IMAM MICHAEL “MIKAL”|title=Indy's Festival of Faiths invites all religions|url=http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/religion/article_0f041240-cd8d-11e8-8619-9f5323e65db3.html|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper|date=11 October 2018|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614183033/http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/religion/article_0f041240-cd8d-11e8-8619-9f5323e65db3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Cincinnati, Ohio.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Opinion: Festival of Faiths a healing balm|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/2019/09/06/opinion-festival-faiths-healing-balm/2201137001/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Cincinnati.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128000844/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/2019/09/06/opinion-festival-faiths-healing-balm/2201137001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Hindu ==
{{See also|List of Hindu festivals}} 
'Utsava' is the [[Sanskrit]] word for Hindu festivals, meaning 'to cause to grow 'upward'.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} Hindus observe sacred occasions by festive observances. All festivals in Hinduism are predominantly religious in character and significance. Many festival are seasonal. Some celebrate harvest and the birth of gods or heroes. Some are dedicated to important events in [[Hindu mythology]]. Many are dedicated to [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Lakshmi]] and [[Brahma]] and [[Saraswati]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Amulya Mohapatra |author2=Bijaya Mohapatra |title=Hinduism: Analytical Study |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vpiU9m7T_tQC |access-date=10 November 2011 |date=1 December 1995 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-388-9}}</ref> A festival may be observed with acts of worship, offerings to deities, fasting, feasting, vigil, rituals, fairs, charity, celebrations, [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]], [[Homa (ritual)|Homa]], [[aarti]] etc. They celebrate individual and community life of Hindus without distinction of caste, gender or class.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} In the [[Hindu calendar]] dates are usually prescribed according to the [[lunar calendar]]. In [[vedic timekeeping]], a [[tithi]] is a [[lunar day]].{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} Among major festivals are [[Diwali]], [[Gudi Padwa]], [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]], [[Holi]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], [[Raksha Bhandan]], [[Krishna Janmashtami]], [[Dasara (disambiguation)|Dasara or Dussehra]], which may refer to the ten days of Sharada [[Navratri]] or the tenth day, [[Vijayadashami]]. Others include [[Onam]], [[Shivaratri]], [[Ugadi]], Rathayatra of [[Jagannath]] at Puri in Ilam, Nepal and many other places in Nepal and many other countries{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

{{Gallery
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|File:Thiruvathira Kali During Onam.jpg| 
|File:Navratri Garba.jpg| 
|File:Rath Yatra Puri 2007 11071 crop.jpg|  
|Image:Govindashtami.jpg|Govinda celebrations during the [[Krishna Janmaashtami]] festivities
|File:Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, India, Religious festival in Shiva Temple.jpg|Hindu religious festival in Hampi
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== Islamic ==
{{See also|Category:Islamic festivals|Islamic holidays}}
Among major [[Islam]]ic religious festivals are [[Eid ul-Adha]], [[Eid ul-Fitr]] and [[Ramadan]].
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|File:Ramadan Dinner 2005-11-07.jpg|[[Iftar]] meal on [[Ramadan]] 
|File:Eid Prayers at Barashalghar, Debidwar, Comilla.jpg|Eid Prayers at Barashalghar
|File:Celebrating Eid in Tajikistan 10-13-2007.jpg|Eid in Tajikistan
}}

== Jain ==
{{Main|Jain festivals}}
Important festivals include [[Paryushan]], [[Mahavir Janma Kalyanak]] and [[Diwali (Jainism)|Diwali]].

== Jewish ==
{{Main|Jewish festivals|Category:Jewish festivals}}
[[File:GOOD SHABBES -.jpg|thumb|Reciting blessing over candles on the eve of [[Shabbat]] and [[Jewish holidays]]]]
A Jewish holiday (''Yom Tov'' or ''chag'' in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]) is a day that is holy to the [[Jewish people]] according to [[Judaism]] and is usually derived from the [[Hebrew Bible]], specifically the [[Torah]], and in some cases established by the [[rabbi]]s in later eras. There are a number of festival days, fast days (''[[ta'anit]]'') and days of remembrance.

== Mandaean ==
{{Main|Mandaean calendar#Festivals}}
[[Parwanaya]] is the largest Mandaean festival.<ref>[http://mandaeanpriests.exeter.ac.uk/items/browse?collection=4&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle Collection: Parwanaya (Banja) Festival: Unedited Clips] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904010431/http://mandaeanpriests.exeter.ac.uk/items/browse?collection=4&sort_field=Dublin+Core,Title |date=2021-09-04 }}, [http://mandaeanpriests.exeter.ac.uk/ The Worlds of Mandaean Priests] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903201500/http://mandaeanpriests.exeter.ac.uk/ |date=2021-09-03 }}, [[University of Exeter]]</ref>

''[[Mandaean calendar#Festivals|Dehwa Honina]]'' or ''Dehwa Ṭurma'' (the Little Feast) is a Mandaean religious festival which takes place on the 18th of Taura (Ayar), celebrating the return of the divine messenger [[Hibil Ziwa]] from the World of Darkness to the World of Light.<ref name="Aldihisi 2008">{{cite thesis|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1444088/|last=Aldihisi|first=Sabah|year=2008|title=The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba|type=PhD|publisher=University College London|access-date=2021-09-04|archive-date=2023-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403234841/https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1444088/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mandaeans also celebrate [[Dehwa Rabba]] (New Year's Day) and [[Mandaean calendar#Festivals|Dehwa Daymaneh]] (Birthday of [[John the Baptist]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mandaeansynod.org.au/mandaean-calendar.html|website=Mandaean Synod of Australia|title=Mandaean Calendar|access-date=7 January 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302142352/https://mandaeansynod.org.au/mandaean-calendar.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Neo-Pagan ==
{{Main|List of neo-pagan festivals and events}}
[[File:Celebrazione del 2777 Natale di Roma - Pietas Comunità Gentile 2.jpg|thumb|Celebration of the 2777th [[Natale di Roma]] at the [[Circus Maximus]]]]
[[Natale di Roma]], historically known as ''Dies Romana'' and also referred to as Romaia, the festival linked to the [[foundation of Rome]], celebrated on April 21.<ref name="Plutarch12">[[Plutarch]], ''[[Parallel Lives]] - Life of Romulus'', [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Romulus*.html#12 12.2] (from [[LacusCurtius]])</ref> According to [[legend]], [[Romulus]] is said to have founded the city of [[Rome]] on April 21, [[753 BC]]. From this date, the Roman chronology derived its system, known by the [[Latin]] phrase ''[[Ab Urbe condita]]'', meaning ''"from the founding of the City"'', which counted the years from this presumed foundation.

== Baháʼí Faith ==
{{Main|Baháʼí Holy Days}}
The Baháʼí Faith has eleven holy days, which are important anniversaries in the history of the religion.

== Sikh ==
{{Main|List of Sikh festivals}}
Major [[Sikh]] festivals include [[Guru Nanak]] Gurpurab, [[Guru Gobind]] Gurpurab, Maghi, Poonai, Sangrand, and [[Vaisakhi]].

== Shinto ==
{{Main|Japanese festivals}}

== Sindhi ==
{{Main|List of Sindhi festivals}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Holidays}}
* [[Outline of festivals]]
* [[Lists of festivals]]
* [[List of foods with religious symbolism]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/ interfaithcalendar.org]

{{Time in religion and mythology}}
{{Parties}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Religious festivals| ]]