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Observing religious awareness days in October and November

12 Sep 2024

Upcoming religious celebrations this autumn

Religious Celebrations

We recognise that many members of our University community will be observing a variety of religious traditions and celebrations in the coming months. They include:

Navratri  (Thursday 3 October) - Hinduism

Navaratri, or Durga Puja, is a vibrant early October festival celebrating strength and resilience. Over nine days, people honour feminine power through cultural events, music, dance, and family gatherings. It's a time for community, storytelling, and celebrating inner strength.

Dussehra (Saturday, 12 October) – Hinduism 

Dussehra, a major Indian festival, concludes Navratri and falls on the tenth day of the Hindu calendar month. It celebrates Rama's victory, symbolising good over evil, and is a time for communities to unite and enjoy cultural activities and processions.

Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) Thursday,  3 and Friday, 4 October – Judaism   

Rosh Hashanah marks  Jewish New Year with a period of prayer and reflection. 

Yom Kippur, Friday, 11 to Saturday, 12 October - Judaism  

Yom Kippur is an important day in Jewish tradition, centred on fasting, reflection, and seeking forgiveness, marking the conclusion of the High Holy Days.

Sukkot, Thursday, 17 to Wednesday, 23 October - Judaism 

Sukkot is a Jewish festival celebrating the harvest, where people build outdoor shelters called sukkahs and spend time in them with family and friends.  

Simchat Torah, Thursday, 24 and Friday, 25 October – Judaism

Simchat Torah is characterised by utterly unbridled joy, when Jewish people celebrate the conclusion—and restart—of the annual Torah-reading cycle.

Diwali ( Friday, 1 November) Hinduism 

Diwali, is a major festival known as the 'Festival of Lights,' which lasts up to five days and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. It symbolises the victory of light and knowledge, with rituals like lighting lamps, exchanging gifts, and enjoying festive meals.


Bandhi Chorr Divas (Friday, 1 November) Sikhism

Bandhi Chorr Divas is a Sikh festival symbolizing liberation, justice, and human rights. It commemorates the sixth Guru's release from prison with 52 princes. Rituals include prayers, lighting lamps, and visiting gurdwaras, often aligning with Diwali.


Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ki Gurpurab ( Friday, 15 November) Sikhism

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab is a Sikh festival celebrating Guru Nanak's birth, emphasizing his teachings on social justice, equality, and honest living. Rituals include prayers, singing, and community service.

Following our 2024 EDI Diversity Calendar, we focus on the six major world faiths currently represented within our community – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. This does not mean we do not recognise that there are many more faiths equally as important. 

We also recognise that a large proportion of our community may have no religion or belief or observe other secular events.

More information 

We aim to take an integrated approach that celebrates individuals and their many identities to ensure that we are truly inclusive of all our community. This is set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Religion or belief (including no belief);  

Support  

During this time you may be away from friends and family, University-wide support is available: