Welcome to TIO’s Religious Calendar

august 2026

Saturday, August 1

Procession of the Precious Wood of the Life-Giving Cross – Eastern Orthodox Christianity
The Cross is carried in procession and water is blessed, opening the two-week season before the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Dormition Fast begins (August 1–14) – Eastern Orthodox Christianity
A fourteen-day period of prayer and fasting in preparation for the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Month of Kamál (Perfection) begins – Bahá’í Faith
The beginning of the Bahá’í month of Kamál, observed through a Nineteen Day Feast of devotion, consultation, and fellowship.

Monday, August 3

First Shravan Somvar – Hinduism
The first Monday of the holy month of Shravan in North Indian practice, often observed with fasting and offerings to Shiva.

Tuesday, August 4

Arba’een (Chehlum) – Shia Islam
Marks forty days after Ashura and commemorates Imam Husayn and his companions; many pilgrims travel to Karbala. Date is projected and subject to local moon sighting.

Thursday, August 6

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord – Christianity [Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches using the New Calendar]
Celebrates Christ’s revelation in glory before Peter, James, and John; Orthodox communities often bless grapes and other first fruits.

Friday, August 7

Prakash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji – Sikhism
The birth anniversary of the eighth Sikh Guru, observed with prayer, kirtan, scripture reading, and langar.

Tsome Filseta / Fast of the Assumption begins (August 7–22) – Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity
A sixteen-day fast honoring the Dormition and Assumption of Mary.

Saturday, August 8

Morcha Guru ka Bagh anniversary – Sikhism
Commemorates the 1922 nonviolent Akali campaign at Guru ka Bagh, remembered as an important example of peaceful resistance.

Sunday, August 9

Kamika Ekadashi – Hinduism
A Shravan observance in which many devotees fast and worship Vishnu.

Monday, August 10

Second Shravan Somvar – Hinduism
The second Monday of Shravan in North Indian practice, observed with devotion to Shiva.

Tuesday, August 11

Sawan Shivratri – Hinduism
The “night of Shiva” during Shravan, often marked by night-long worship, prayer, and fasting.

Wednesday, August 12

Hariyali Amavasya – Hinduism
The new-moon day of Shravan, associated with ritual bathing, charity, remembrance of ancestors, and tree planting.

Thursday, August 13

Rosh Chodesh Elul begins (August 13–14) – Judaism
The new month of Elul begins, opening a period of introspection in advance of the High Holy Days.

Obon / Urabon begins (August 13–16) – Japanese Buddhism
A period for welcoming and honoring ancestral spirits through grave visits, offerings, and Bon dances.

Ghost Month begins (August 13–September 10) – Taoism and Chinese traditional religion
The seventh lunar month, when many communities honor ancestors and make offerings for the dead.

Shravan month begins in Amanta reckoning (August 13–September 11) – Hinduism
The beginning of Shravan for many communities in western and southern India.

Friday, August 14

Rosh Hashana LaBehemot – Judaism
The “New Year for Tithing Animals,” a minor observance that can be used as a day of reflection on human responsibility toward animals.

Rabi’ al-Awwal begins – Islam
The beginning of the Hijri month in which many Muslims commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birth. Date is projected and subject to local moon sighting.

Saturday, August 15

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Christianity [Catholic churches]
According to Catholic teaching, this solemnity celebrates Mary being taken up, body and soul, into heavenly glory.

Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos – Christianity [Eastern Orthodox churches using the New Calendar]
This Great Feast commemorates the “falling asleep” of Mary and her translation into heaven.

Navroze / Parsi New Year – Zoroastrianism [Shenshai/Shahenshahi tradition]
The beginning of the Shenshai Zoroastrian new year, marked by prayers, new clothes, and family meals. Some communities may observe it on August 16.

Hariyali Teej – Hinduism
A monsoon festival in which many women fast and honor Parvati and Shiva through prayer, songs, and swings.

Monday, August 17

Nag Panchami – Hinduism
Serpents, or nagas, are honored with offerings as protectors and symbols of divine energy. Some Amanta-calendar communities observe it on September 1.

Shravan Somvar – Hinduism
The third Shravan Monday in North Indian practice and the first Shravan Monday in many Amanta-calendar communities.

Wednesday, August 19

Tulsidas Jayanti – Hinduism
The birth anniversary of poet-saint Tulsidas, traditionally recognized as the author of the Ramcharitmanas.

Transfiguration – Eastern Orthodox Christianity [Old/Julian Calendar parishes]
Old Calendar Orthodox communities celebrate the Transfiguration on this date.

Thursday, August 20

Month of Asmá’ (Names) begins – Bahá’í Faith
The beginning of the Bahá’í month of Asmá’, observed through a Nineteen Day Feast of worship, consultation, and fellowship. This is not a Bahá’í Holy Day.

Khordad Sal – Zoroastrianism [Shenshai]
The symbolic birth anniversary of the prophet Zarathushtra, observed with thanksgiving prayers and community gatherings. Communities observing Navroze on August 16 may observe Khordad Sal on August 21.

Friday, August 21

Varalakshmi Vratam – Hinduism
A festival, particularly in South India, in which many married women fast and worship Lakshmi for family well-being. Some traditions observe it on August 28.

Saturday, August 22

Filseta, Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary – Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity
The culminating feast of the Filseta fast, celebrating Mary’s Assumption.

Sunday, August 23

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi – Hinduism
A Vishnu observance traditionally kept in prayer and fasting for the well-being of children. Some Vaishnava communities may observe it on August 24.

Monday, August 24

Shravan Somvar – Hinduism
The fourth Shravan Monday in North Indian practice and the second Shravan Monday in many Amanta-calendar communities.

Tuesday, August 25

Mawlid al-Nabi / Eid al-Mawlid – Sunni Islam
Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad through devotional gatherings, poetry, charity, and communal meals. Date is projected and subject to local moon sighting.

Wednesday, August 26

Onam / Thiruvonam – Hinduism [Kerala]
Kerala’s harvest festival welcomes the legendary King Mahabali and is celebrated with floral designs, boat races, and the Onasadya feast.

Thursday, August 27

Zhongyuan Jie / Hungry Ghost Festival – Taoism and Chinese traditional religion
Families honor ancestors and make food and paper offerings for wandering spirits on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month.

Ullambana / Yulanpen – Mahayana Buddhism
An observance of filial devotion and compassion for suffering beings, rooted in the story of Maudgalyayana rescuing his mother.

Friday, August 28

Raksha Bandhan / Rakhi – Hinduism
Sisters tie a protective thread, or rakhi, on their brothers’ wrists as a mutual pledge of protection and affection.

Narali Purnima – Hinduism [coastal Maharashtra and Konkan]
Fishing communities offer coconuts to Varuna, the sea god, marking the reopening of the fishing season after the monsoon pause.

Dormition of the Theotokos – Christianity [Eastern Orthodox Old/Julian Calendar parishes]
Old Calendar Orthodox communities observe the Dormition of Mary on this date.

Jorh Mela Baba Bakala and birth anniversary of Bhai Daya Singh – Sikhism
Commemorates the historic gathering at Baba Bakala and the birth of Bhai Daya Singh, the first of the Panj Pyare.

Saturday, August 29

Memorial of the Passion [Beheading] of Saint John the Baptist – Christianity [Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches]
Commemorates the martyrdom of John the Baptist; many Orthodox Christians keep this as a strict fast day.

Sunday, August 30

Sampuranta Divas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Sikhism
Marks the completion of the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Mawlid al-Nabi – Shia Islam
Many Shia communities commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birth on 17 Rabi’ al-Awwal, approximately five days after the Sunni observance. Date is projected and subject to local moon sighting.

Monday, August 31

Kajari Teej – Hinduism
A Teej observance in which many women fast and pray for their families’ well-being.