Holy days · 4 min read
Is Nowruz a Religious Holiday? Its Roots and Traditions in Iran
Understand Nowruz in Iran: Zoroastrian roots, its life in Muslim societies, the evolving haft-sin table and a celebration shared across communities.
Holy days
The stories, calendars and community practices behind religious observances, with room for regional differences and local announcements.
7 articles
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Holy days · 4 min read
Why does Hanukkah last eight days? What the early texts say
Compare the Temple rededication in Maccabees, the connection with Sukkot and the Talmud’s oil miracle to understand Hanukkah’s eight-day observance.
Holy days · 3 min read
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas: connected season, distinct meanings
Understand Hindu Diwali traditions and Sikh Bandi Chhor Divas, including lights, Guru Hargobind’s release and why the observances should not be conflated.
Holy days · 3 min read
Eid al-Fitr vs Eid al-Adha: dates, meaning and observance
Compare the Eid after Ramadan with the Eid in the Hajj season, including prayer, charitable giving and why their Gregorian dates move.
Holy days · 9 min read
The etrog: the citron at the heart of Sukkot
What the etrog is, how a citron from Asia became the fruit of Sukkot, what makes one fit to use, and the coins, mosaics, silver boxes and customs it gathered.
Holy days · 3 min read
Why Orthodox Easter often falls on a different date
Understand Julian and Gregorian Easter calculations, ecclesiastical full moons and why modern Passover is not an extra universal rule.
Holy days · 3 min read
Why Ramadan dates change each year—and by community
Learn why Ramadan moves through the Gregorian calendar and why communities can differ over the first day through sighting and calculation methods.