March dates for your diary

Calendar snapshots

7th – Purim, Judaism

Purim celebrates an ancient victory of the Jewish people over their enemies and persecutors. People dress up, give money to charity and share a Purim feast and gifts with family and friends.

14th – Nanakshahi, Sikhism

The Sikh Nanakshahi calendar was introduced in 2003, so that celebrations always fall on the same date in the Gregorian calendar. It is named after Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Special prayers are held in Gurdwaras to usher in the new year.

23nd  – Ramadan, Islam

Muslims fast during this holy month, to feel closer to God and remember the suffering of others. Muslims also attend special services at their mosque, endeavour to read the entire Qur’an and give more to charity (Zakat).

This month’s dates at a glance

Religious/cultural

1 – St David’s day, Christian

2 – Nineteen day fast begins, Baha’i

5 – Feast of Orthodoxy, Orthodox Christian

6 – Magha Puja, Buddhist

7 – Holika Dahan, Hindu

7 – Purim, Judaism

8 – Lailat al Bara’ah, Islam

8 – Holi, Hindu

8-10 – Hola Mohalla Sikh

14 – Nanakshahi (new year), Sikh

17 – St Patrick’s day, Christian

19 – Feast of Saint Joseph, Christian

20 – Ostara, Wicca and Pagan

20 – Nowruz (new year), Persian and Zoroastrian

21 – Naw-Rúz, Bahá’í

22 – Chaitra Navratri begins, Hindu

22 – Ugadi (new year), Hindu

23 – Ramadan begins, Islam

25 – Annunciation to the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian

25 – Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Christian

26 – Khordad Sal, Zoroastrian

28 – Navpad Oli begins, Jain

30 – Rama Navami, Hindu

 Awareness and events

1 –      Zero Discrimination Day

Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD)

International Wheelchair Day

3 – World Hearing Day

8 – International Women’s Day

8-10 – TUC’s Women’s Conference

19 – Mother’s Day

20 – Spring Equinox

20 – International Day of Happiness

21 – International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination

21 – World Down Syndrome Day

24 – World Tuberculosis (TB) Day

25 – International Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade

27 Mar-2 Apr – World Autism Acceptance Week

30 – World Bipolar Day

31 – International Trans Day of Visibility