Welcome to TIO’s Religious Calendar

July 2026

Jashn-e Tirgan – Zoroastrianism The festival of water, celebrated by splashing water, dancing, reciting poetry, and serving traditional foods such as spinach soup. One of the four ancient Iranian festivals of seasons alongside Nowruz, Yalda, and Mehregan.

Birthday of Gurū Hargobind Sahib Ji – Sikhism Celebrating the sixth of the eleven Sikh Gurūs (1595–1644 C.E.), a renowned martial artist. Fixed date in the Nanakshahi calendar.

Birthday of the XIVth Dalai Lama – Tibetan Buddhism Celebrating the 91st birthday of His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, born July 6, 1935 in northeastern Tibet. Nobel Peace Prize laureate and spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism in exile; revered as the fourteenth manifestation of Avalokiteśvara.

Martyrdom of the Báb – Bahá'í Anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb, forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh, in Persia in 1850 C.E. The Báb and 20,000 followers were killed for their religious convictions. Work is suspended on this day.

Feast Day of St. Benedict – Catholic Christianity Celebrating the life of St. Benedict of Nursia (480–547 C.E.), the founder of Western Christian monasticism whose Rule is still widely read and practiced today.

Anniversary of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö – Buddhism (Tibetan tradition) A celebration of the Tibetan lama (ca. 1893–1959) whose mastery of several lineages and insights have had a profound effect on numerous currently teaching lamas.

Kalimát – Bahá'í Beginning of the seventh month of the Bahá'í year, meaning "Words."

Feast Day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha – Catholic Christianity and Native American Spirituality Celebrating the life and ministry of Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–April 17, 1680), a Mohawk-Algonquin woman and the first Native American canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, recognized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

St. Vladimir the Great Day – Christianity Celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Vladimir the Great was born about 958 and died July 15, 1015.

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene – Christianity (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran) Celebrated as one of Jesus' earliest and most faithful disciples, after being healed by him. Recognized as a witness to his death and the first recorded witness of his resurrection on Easter.
Khordad Sal – Zoroastrianism (Qadimi calendar) The birth anniversary of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), according to the Qadimi calendar. The Shahenshahi tradition may observe this in August.

Birthday of Gurū Har Krishan Sahib Ji – Sikhism (Nanakshahi calendar) Marking the birth of the eighth and youngest of the eleven Sikh Gurūs (1656–1664 C.E.). Fixed date in the Nanakshahi calendar.
Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie I – Rastafari Celebrating the birth of Ras Tafari Makonnen (1892–1975 C.E.), who ruled as Emperor of Ethiopia and is professed by Rastafari believers as God incarnate.

Pioneer Day – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Celebrated annually as the anniversary of the entry of LDS pioneers into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, Utah, in 1847 C.E., after a historic trek across 1,300 miles of wilderness.

St. James the Great Day – Christianity Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus' first disciples, called from the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Chaturmas – Hinduism and Jainism Marks the beginning of a four-month period (ending in November) during which devotees observe vows of penance, fasting, and religious observances. An inauspicious time for weddings or thread ceremonies.

Gurū Purnima – Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism Celebrates the ancient sage Veda Vyāsa, credited as compiler of the sacred Vedas, author of the Eighteen Puranas, and writer of the Mahābhārata. Jains and Buddhists also mark this day to thank their teachers. Falls on the full moon of Ashadha.
Asalha Puja Day (Dhamma Day) – Buddhism (Theravāda tradition) Commemorates the historical Buddha's first sermon, "Turning of the Wheel of Dharma," following his enlightenment. Marks the beginning of the three-month Vassa (Rains Retreat) for Theravādin monastics—a period of Dharma study, meditation, and service. Falls on the same Ashadha full moon as Gurū Purnima.

Oharai-taisai – Shinto A purification ceremony to cleanse believers from offenses committed during the first half of the year. A large ring of woven grasses and reeds is placed at the entrance to Shinto shrines; people walk through the ring as a symbol of inner purification. Fixed date (last day of July).