6 July (Saturday) BIRTH OF THE DALAI LAMA Buddhist

Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest and most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who lives as a refugee in India. The Dalai Lama is also considered to be the successor in a line of tulkus who are believed to be incarnations of Avalokitevara the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

6 July (Saturday) to 15 July (Monday) FRAVARDIGAN Zoroastrian (Kadmi)

In the Fravardigan festival the immortal souls, together with their fravashis (the guardian spirits of departed ancestors, half man/half bird), come to reside in the place of worship.   Many Zoroastrians take time off to pray, recite the five Gathas and cleanse their houses. Daily samples of sacred food are tasted by them during the daily ceremonies.

7 July (Sunday) RATHA YATRA Hindu

‘Chariot journey’. This is observed most notably at Puri in the Indian state of Orissa, where processions of thousands of devotees pull huge waggons (rathas) supporting images of Krishna.  He is known under the name of ‘Jagannath’, (Lord of the Universe), from which the English term ‘juggernaut’ comes. Krishna is attended on his journey by his brother and sister.  The festival and others like it are celebrated in Britain with processions through various parts of London on appropriate Sundays.

7 July (Sunday) ISLAMIC NEW YEAR 1446 / AL-HIJRA / RA'S UL 'AM (Muharram 1) Muslim

This day commemorates the Hijra or migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE, which led to the establishment of the Muslim community there. The day is not universally celebrated amongst Sunni Muslims but is notable as Muslim years are dated from this time and are marked AH (After the Hijrah). In 2024 CE the Muslim year 1446 AH begins.

9 July (Tuesday) ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB - 1850 - Baha’i

The Bab was executed by firing squad in Tabriz, Persia, at noon on this day. The Bab’s death is commemorated at noon with readings and prayers from the Baha’i Scriptures.

13 July (Saturday) - 15 (Monday) O-BON Japanese [not Tokyo]

A Japanese festival when the spirits of the departed are welcomed back home with feasting and dancing. Fires are often lit to illuminate their arrival and departure.

16 July (Tuesday) NAVROZE / NO RUZ Zoroastrian (Kadmi)

New Year’s Day on the Shenshai Calendar. By the twentieth century the Parsis of India had become the largest group in the world practising Zoroastrianism, and in the twenty first century over 95% of Zoroastrians in the UK are Parsis. Like their Indian counterparts, they celebrate two new years – giving more time for making merry!

17 July (Wednesday) ASHURA (10th Muharram) Muslim

For Sunni Muslims Ashura is a minor fast observed by the Prophet. Shi‘a Muslims recall a great tragedy that took place in AH 61 (680 CE). The Imam Husayn (son of Ali and Fatimah and therefore grandson of the Prophet) was attacked and killed at Karbala (now in Iraq) along with his family and followers by the troops of the Caliph Yazid.

20 July (Saturday) ENTRY TO THE VASSA Buddhist

The term "Entry to the Vassa" in Buddhism refers to the commencement of the Vassa, also known as the Rains Retreat. Vassa is an annual three-month retreat observed primarily by Theravada Buddhists, taking place during the wet season. It typically begins on the first day of the Buddhist lunar month of Asalha.

21 July (Sunday) ASALHA PUJA or DHAMMA DAY Buddhist

Dhammacakka day – ‘The turning of the wheel of teaching’.  Theravada celebration of the First Proclamation by Gautama to five ascetics in the Deer Park near Benares. In it he taught the Middle Way, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths.

21 July (Sunday) KHORDAD SAL Zoroastrian (Kadmi)

Khordad Sal is the Birthday of Zarathushtra and falls on the sixth day after NoRuz. Khordad means perfection and the festival of Khordad Sal symbolically celebrates the birthday of Prophet Zarathushtra. It is customary on this day to visit the Fire Temple, to give thanks to Ahura Mazda for giving humanity the Prophet Zarathushtra, to participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony, to listen to stories of the miraculous birth and life of Prophet Zarathushtra, and to share in a happy community meal, a drink and a dance.

23 July (Tuesday) BIRTHDAY OF HAILE SELASSIE I Rastafarian

One of the holiest days of the Rastafarian year. It is celebrated with Nyahbinghi drumming, hymns and prayers.