1 March (Saturday) ST DAVID’S DAY Christian / National

Anniversary of the death of St David, the 6th Century CE patron saint of Wales.

1 March (Saturday) THE WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Christian

This international, interdenominational prayer movement was begun in 1887. The service material is produced by a different country each year. In 2018 the theme will be ‘All God’s Creation is Very Good’ and the material has been prepared by Christian women in Suriname.

1 March (Saturday) to 30 (Sunday) RAMADAN Muslim

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar, when the Prophet received the first revelation of verses of the Qur’an.  It is the holiest month for Muslims, and they dedicate themselves to spiritual renewal, prayer and intensive devotional reading of the Qur’an.   During the month of Ramadan Muslims are required to fast from daybreak until after sunset. No food or drink may be consumed during the hours of fasting, and those fasting must also abstain from smoking and from sexual relations. After the custom of the Prophet, the fast is traditionally broken each evening by taking dates and water.

3 March (Monday) HINAMATSURI / DOLLS’ FESTIVAL / GIRLS’ DAY Japanese

Clay dolls representing the Emperor and Empress, are displayed in the home, and offerings of peach blossom, rice-wine and rice-cakes are placed before them. The dolls carry away any illness which is afflicting the daughters of the house, for whom prayers are offered.

3 March (Monday) FIRST DAY OF LENT / THE GREAT FAST Christian (Orthodox)

This is the beginning of the Lenten Fast, which involves abstinence from meat, fish and dairy products until Easter. Unlike the Western tradition, where Lent begins on the Wednesday before the first Sunday of Lent, Eastern Churches start Lent on the Monday before the first Sunday.

4 March (Tuesday) SHROVE TUESDAY Christian (Western Churches)

‘Shrove’ relates to absolution from sin. Nowadays it is a day for eating and enjoyment.  In Britain it is called ‘Pancake Day’, as pancakes use up all the rich foods before Lent. Elsewhere it is known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), and is a time for carnivals and fairs.

5 March (Wednesday) ASH WEDNESDAY Christian (Western Churches)

This first day of Lent recalls the temptations Jesus faced for forty days in the wilderness.   In Catholic and some Anglican churches, worshippers' foreheads are marked with a cross of ash made from burning the palm crosses of the previous year – hence ‘Ash Wednesday’.

5 March (Wednesday) - 17th April (Thursday) LENT Christian (Western Churches)

A period of forty days fasting and self-discipline (not counting Sundays) that leads up to Easter. Traditionally Christians give up something during this time to mark the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Many Christians feel it is a time for study groups, prayer and Bible reading.

11 March (Tuesday) - 20 March (Thursday) FRAVARDIGAN/MUKTAD 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.

14 March (Friday) - 15 March (Saturday) HOLI Hindu / Jain

A spring festival lasting one to five days. Bonfires are lit and coloured powders and dyes are thrown over people.  Various stories of Vishnu and of Krishna and the gopis (milkmaids) are related throughout the festival.

14 March (Friday) PURIM Jewish

Purim is a carnival festival, recalling the saving of the Jewish community of Persia, as retold in the Book of Esther (the Megillah), which is read through twice in each synagogue. The name of Haman is drowned out with rattles and hooters and boos by the congregation whenever it is read.

14 March (Friday) NEW YEAR'S DAY Sikh

Alternative Nanakshahi calendar begins its year a month earlier on 1 Chait which generally falls on 14 March and begins with the birth year of the Guru Nanak Dev in 1469.

14 March (Friday) - 16 March (Sunday) HOLA MAHALLA/HOLA MOHALLA Sikh

In 1680 Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, introduced this festival at Anandpur in Punjab, India, on the day after the Hindu Holi. It includes displays of swordsmanship, horsemanship, archery and wrestling, together with displays of weapons and symposia of poetry, making it a lively and colourful occasion, particularly for young Sikhs.

17 March (Monday) ST PATRICK’S DAY Christian / National

The patron saint of Ireland, who lived in Britain in the 4th century CE, became a priest and set out to evangelize the Irish. His symbol is the shamrock, sprigs of which are worn on this day. Parades are held in Dublin and elsewhere, often of a secular nature.

17 March (Monday) HIGAN to 23 March (Wednesday); 20 March (Thursday) SHUNBUN NO HI Japanese

Marks the Spring equinox. As at the Autumn equinox, harmony and balance are the themes. Sutras are recited, and the graves of relatives are visited.

19 March (Wednesday) ST JOSEPH’S DAY, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Christian

A day to honour Joseph, who, along with Mary, was responsible for Jesus’ upbringing.

20 March (Thursday) HIGAN Buddhist

Marks the Spring equinox. As at the Autumn equinox, harmony and balance are the themes. Sutras are recited, and the graves of relatives are visited.

20 March (Thursday) NAW-RUZ Baha'i

New Year’s Day and the end of the nineteen day fast that concludes the old year.

20 March (Thursday) SPRING EQUINOX (OSTARA) Pagan / VERNAL EQUINOX (Alban Eiler or Alban Eilir) Druid

By the Spring Equinox, the powers of the gathering year are equal to the darkness of winter and death. The God (the Green Man) awakens during this season. Some dedicate this time to Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility.

21 March (Friday) JAMSHEEDI NORUZ Zoroastrian (Iranian)

NoRuz (New Year’s Day) occurs on the first day of spring. It represents the resurgence of life and the symbolic victory of the forces of light over darkness.  New clothes are worn and gifts and prayers offered at the Fire Temple to seek blessings from Ahura Mazda, and to participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony, followed by dancing and making merry.

22 March (Saturday) AVA MAH PARAB (ABAN JASHAN) Zoroastrian (Shenshai - Parsi)

Ava is the guardian/protector of the waters, and is associated with fertility. Zoroastrians celebrate the birth of the waters by going to seas, rivers and streams to recite a litany to the waters, to which they offer flowers, sugar, coconuts and flat cakes of sweet lentils.

25 March (Tuesday) THE ANNUNCIATION (Anglican / Roman Catholic) also LADY DAY

Celebrates the announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she is to bear a child, and her response in the Magnificat.

26 March (Wednesday) KHORDAD SAL Zoroastrian (Iranian)

On the birthday of Prophet Zarathushtra there are visits to the Fire Temple to give thanks to Ahura Mazda for his gift of the Prophet; to participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony; to listen to stories of the miraculous birth and life of the Prophet; and to share in a happy community meal, a drink and a dance.

27 March (Thursday) LAILAT-UL-QADR [Shi'a] THE NIGHT OF POWER Muslim

This commemorates the night in 610 CE when the prophet Muhammad received his first visit from the angel Jibril (Gabriel) and his revelation of the Qur’an. Muslims believe that the date of this night is kept secret by God, but that they ‘may seek the Night of Dignity in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan’ (Bukhaari, quoting Aisha, who heard it from the Prophet).

30 March (Sunday) MOTHERING SUNDAY (Simnel Sunday) Christian

Mothering Sunday is 'a day in praise of mothers' celebrated in the British Isles and elsewhere in the English speaking world on the fourth Sunday in Lent since the Middle Ages Constance Adelaide Smith revived its modern observance beginning in 1913 to honour Mother Church and 'mothers of earthly homes' and Mary the mother of Jesus.

30 March (Sunday) RAMADAN ends
30 March (Sunday) EID-UL-FITR/FEAST OF FAST BREAKING (1st Shawwal) Muslim

This is a time - once the fast of Ramadan has been completed - for making gifts to the poor. It is especially a time for new clothes, good food, and presents for children. Families get together and contact friends, especially those who live far away. The community assembles for Eid prayer and a sermon at its mosques. The traditional greeting is ‘Eid Mubarak’ – ‘a happy and blessed Eid’.