Explore the Vibrant Festivals of April 2024: Cultural and Religious Delights

 1 Apr 

Easter Monday

In April, Easter Monday falls on the day following Easter Sunday, observed in both Eastern and Western Christian traditions to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after three days from his crucifixion.

1 Apr

The celebration of Kha b-Nisan, marking the Assyrian and Chaldean New Year, is an important cultural and religious date in April.

 The Assyrian and Chaldean communities commemorate Kha b-Nisan, or Akitu, at the start of spring in the Northern hemisphere.

 This cultural and religious event is observed by the indigenous Assyrians in Northern Iraq, North-eastern Syria, South-eastern Türkiye, and North-western Iran.

 4 Apr

Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming, falls on the calendar of cultural and religious dates in April.

 In April, the calendar highlights Qingming as a period where Chinese individuals honor their ancestors through the cleaning and visiting of their tombs.

 8 Apr

April is filled with cultural and religious events, such as Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival).

 In Japan, on 8 April, there is a celebration of Buddha's Birthday with the showcasing of flowers at temples and the admiration of cherry blossoms across the nation.

 9 Apr

Eid al Fitr

The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan concludes with the joyous celebration of Eid al Fitr.

 A festive meal marks the end of the fast, emphasizing the importance of good deeds during this period.

 Eid serves as a moment for forgiveness and reconciliation.

 9 Apr

In April, mark your calendar for Ugadi, which celebrates the Telugu New Year.

 April marks the time when Ugadi or Yugadi, also called Samvatsarādi (which means "beginning of the year"), is observed as the New Year's Day in the Hindu calendar.

 This festivity is prominently celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Goa in India.

 13 - 17 Apr

April is a bustling month filled with diverse cultural and religious celebrations, including Songkran, the Thai New Year festival.

 In April, Thai communities mark the beginning of Songkran, the Thai New Year and Water Festival, with festivities including food, crafts, and entertainment.

 The celebration kicks off on the 13th of April every year and is observed as a national holiday.

 13 - 16 Apr

Observing the Thingyan Festival in April celebrates the Burmese New Year.

 Thingyan is the most important yearly celebration on the Myanmar calendar.

 It signals the commencement of the New Year, heralds the onset of the Myanmar lunar calendar, and observes life and renewal.

 13 - 16 Apr

Choul Chnam Thmey, also known as Cambodian/Khmer New Year, is part of the calendar of cultural and religious dates in April.

 Khmer New Year, or 'Choul Chnam Thmey,' typically spans three days in Cambodia, coinciding with the traditional solar new year celebration in various regions of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.

 This festive occasion signifies the conclusion of the harvesting season, where farmers relish the rewards of their hard work before the onset of the rainy season.

 The country observes a three-day public holiday to commemorate this joyous event, usually taking place in April as part of the calendar of cultural and religious dates.

 14 - 16 Apr

April is notable for Pii Mai, which is also known as Lao New Year.

 Every April, Lao people welcome the New Year, known as Pii Mai, as a chance to release the old and welcome a bright future.

 Water, symbolizing significant meaning in Lao traditions, is utilized for washing Buddha images.

 Additionally, sand is shaped into decorated stupas at temples, then presented to monks for merit-making.

 Festivities span three days, involving joyful water splashing among participants.

 14 Apr

April marks the celebration of the Sinhalese New Year, known as Aluth Avurudda.

 Aluth Ayurudda, a festival celebrated by the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, is called the beginning of the solar New Year in April on the calendar of cultural and religious dates.

 14 Apr

Celebrate Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year, in April with the vibrant calendar of cultural and religious dates.

 In April, Tamils worldwide celebrate Puthandu, also called Puthu-varusham, which marks the start of the solar new year.

14 Apr

Vaisakhi

In April, the Sikh community typically commemorates Vaisakhi, or Baisakhi, a traditional harvest festival signifying the start of the new solar year and harvest season on the calendar-of-cultural-and-religious-dates.

 14 Apr

In April, Navavarsha, also known as the Nepalese New Year, is celebrated as a significant cultural and religious date on the calendar.

 Nepal embraces multiple calendars, allowing residents to partake in various New Year celebrations.

 These include festivities on the Gregorian calendar, Tibetan New Year, and the Navavarsha - observed during the second week of April, marking the first day of Baisakh on the Bikram Sambat calendar.

 The nation also commemorates the lunar new year (Sonam Lhosar) with an official public holiday.

 15 Apr

Celebrate Pohela Boishakh, also known as Bengali New Year, in April with joy and colorful traditions.

 On the first day of the Bangla Calendar, individuals engage in house cleaning and decoration as they prepare to usher in the New Year.

 Visiting temples during this time is a common practice, with prayers offered for blessings of good fortune and prosperity in the upcoming year.

 15 Apr

Maithil New Year

Communities across different regions in India such as Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Tripura, along with Nepal, observe the Maithil New Year.

 20 Apr - 1 May

Ridvan

Ridvan is a highly important celebration in the Baha’i religion, spanning 12 days in April.

 The initial day of Ridvan holds the utmost significance among Baha’i Holy Days, marking the declaration of Baha’u’lláh's divine mission in the Ridvan Garden.

 Key days like the first, ninth, and twelfth of the festival are deemed especially momentous, with activities paused in observance.

 22 Apr – 30 Apr

Passover

In April, the calendar is filled with important cultural and religious dates, including Passover.

 This festival holds great significance for the Jewish community as it commemorates the liberation of the people from slavery in Egypt by God.

 Observers typically avoid working on the initial two and final two days of the celebration, with many opting to refrain from work for the entire duration of the festival.

23 Apr

St George’s Day

In April, people mark St.

 George as the patron saint of England and a highly esteemed figure in the Anglican church.

 The occasion typically involves festive parades, lively dancing, and various commemorations.

23 Apr

Hanuman Jayanti

In April, Hanuman Jayanti, a significant Hindu religious festival honoring the birth of the revered Hindu deity Hanuman, is celebrated on various dates throughout India and Nepal.

 24 Apr

Theravada New Year

In April, the Theravada New Year is celebrated annually, occurring three days after the initial full moon of the month.

 This day commemorates significant events in Buddha's life, including his birth, enlightenment, and passing, along with the commencement of the rainy season.

 On 25 Apr, ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in Galipoli in 1915 as part of the Allies' invasion.

 ANZAC is short for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

 This significant day pays tribute to the service and sacrifices of all those who have served Australia during wartime and similar conflicts.

 Dawn services, marches, and ceremonies are held throughout Australia and New Zealand to honor this day in April.

 29 Apr

Hung Vuong Festival

Celebrated annually from the eighth to the eleventh day of the third lunar month, the Hung Kings' Temple Festival in Vietnam pays tribute to the nation's traditional founders and first emperors, the Hung Vuong or Hung Kings.

 Since 2007, this festival has been officially recognized as a national holiday in Vietnam.