BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ExcelNotes - ECPv6.15.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:ExcelNotes X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://excelnotes.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ExcelNotes REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251020 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251021 DTSTAMP:20260412T204545 CREATED:20250112T011518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T042325Z UID:10000179-1760918400-1761004799@excelnotes.com SUMMARY:Diwali DESCRIPTION:Diwali\, also known as Deepavali\, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Hinduism\, and it holds significance for Jains\, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Known as the Festival of Lights\, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness\, good over evil\, and knowledge over ignorance. \nTable of Contents\n\nWhen is Diwali?\nThe History of Diwali?\nWhat Do People Do on This Day?\nThe Hindu Lunar Calendar\n\nWhen is Diwali?\nThe date of Diwali varies each year as it is based on the Hindu lunar calendar\, specifically falling on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Hindu month of Kartik. This typically places it in October or November. \nThe following is the list of Diwali from 2020 to 2049. \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n HolidayDateWeekday\n\n\n\n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 14\, 2020Saturday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 04\, 2021Thursday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 24\, 2022Monday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 12\, 2023Sunday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 31\, 2024Thursday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 20\, 2025Monday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 08\, 2026Sunday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 29\, 2027Friday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 17\, 2028Tuesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 05\, 2029Monday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 26\, 2030Saturday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 14\, 2031Friday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 02\, 2032Tuesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 22\, 2033Saturday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 10\, 2034Friday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 30\, 2035Tuesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 18\, 2036Saturday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 07\, 2037Saturday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 27\, 2038Wednesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 15\, 2039Tuesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 04\, 2040Sunday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 24\, 2041Thursday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 12\, 2042Wednesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 01\, 2043Sunday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 20\, 2044Thursday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 08\, 2045Wednesday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 29\, 2046Monday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 18\, 2047Friday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Nov 05\, 2048Thursday \n \n Diwali (Deepavali)Oct 26\, 2049Tuesday \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\nThe History of Diwali\nDiwali is an ancient festival celebrated across India and other parts of the world with deep cultural and spiritual significance. Known as the Festival of Lights\, its origins are rooted in mythology\, history and religious traditions. \nOne of the most popular legends associates Diwali with Lord Rama from the Hindu epic Ramayana. After 14 years of exile and defeating the demon king Ravana\, Rama returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya with his wife and brother. To celebrate their return and the triumph of good over evil\, the people of Ayodhya lit rows of oil lamps\, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. \nIn some traditions\, Diwali celebrates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura\, who had terrorized the people of Earth and kidnapped thousands of women. Krishna defeated Narakasura\, symbolizing the destruction of evil and the liberation of the oppressed. \nThe earliest references to Diwali can be found in Sanskrit texts\, which describe the significance of lighting lamps during harvest festivals. Diwali was initially a harvest festival celebrated to honor prosperity and the bounty of the land. \nOver centuries\, Diwali gained prominence during the reign of Hindu kings and emperors. The festival became a unifying celebration\, transcending regional and cultural differences. \nDuring the Mughal period\, Diwali remained an important festival for Hindus\, with rulers often respecting its significance. Under British rule\, Diwali continued to flourish as a symbol of cultural identity and resilience. \nDiwali is one of the most sacred festivals for Hindus\, Jains\, Sikhs and Buddhists\, celebrated with prayers and traditions. Over the years\, Diwali has evolved into a cultural festival celebrated by people of all backgrounds in India and beyond\, symbolizing joy and renewal. \n \nWhat Do People Do on This Day?\nHomes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated to welcome positive energy and prosperity. Rangoli designs made with colored powders\, flowersor rice are created at entrances to invite Goddess Lakshmi. \nDevotees worship Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles) during the evening. Homes are illuminated with diyas during the Lakshmi Puja\, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being. \nFamilies buy new clothes\, jewelry and household items\, as wearing fresh attire on Diwali is considered auspicious. Many families visit temples to offer prayers and participate in special rituals. \nFireworks and sparklers are lit as part of the celebrations\, symbolizing the removal of darkness and the victory of light. \nFamilies prepare and enjoy elaborate meals\, featuring both savory and sweet dishes. Food and sweets are shared with neighbors\, friends\, and relatives as a gesture of goodwill. \nGifts such as sweets\, dry fruits\, decorative items\, and jewelry are exchanged among family and friends to spreading happiness and goodwill. \nMany people give food\, clothes\, or money to the underprivileged\, ensuring that everyone can partake in the festivities. Temples and community centers often organize charity drives. \nThe Hindu Lunar Calendar\nThe Hindu lunar calendar is a traditional calendar system used in Hindu culture to determine the timing of religious festivals\, rituals and auspicious days. It is a luni-solar calendar\, combining elements of the Moon's and the Sun's movements. \nThe calendar is based on the phases of the Moon\, with each month beginning at the new moon (Amavasya) or full moon (Purnima)\, depending on the regional tradition. \nA lunar month consists of 29.5 days\, resulting in 354 or 355 days in a lunar year\, approximately 10–12 days shorter than the solar year. To align with the solar year\, an extra month is added approximately every 2.5 years. \nSeasons: The year is divided into six seasons. \n1. Vasanta Ritu (Spring)\n2. Grishma Ritu (Summer)\n3. Varsha Ritu (Monsoon)\n4. Sharad Ritu (Autumn)\n5. Hemanta Ritu (Pre-winter)\n6. Shishira Ritu (Winter) \nMonths: The Hindu Lunar Calendar has 12 months. \n1. Chaitra (March–April)\n2. Vaishakha (April–May)\n3. Jyeshtha (May–June)\n4. Ashadha (June–July)\n5. Shravana (July–August)\n6. Bhadrapada (August–September)\n7. Ashwin (September–October)\n8. Kartika (October–November)\n9. Margashirsha (November–December)\n10. Pausha (December–January)\n11. Magha (January–February)\n12. Phalguna (February–March) \nWeeks: The Hindu calendar recognizes seven days of the week\, each associated with a celestial body. \n1. Sunday (Ravivara) – Sun\n2. Monday (Somavara) – Moon\n3. Tuesday (Mangalavara) – Mars\n4. Wednesday (Budhavara) – Mercury\n5. Thursday (Guruvara) – Jupiter\n6. Friday (Shukravara) – Venus\n7. Saturday (Shanivara) – Saturn URL:https://excelnotes.com/holiday/diwali/ CATEGORIES:Hinduism,Religion Holiday ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://excelnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Diwali.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251020 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251021 DTSTAMP:20260412T204546 CREATED:20251001T040249Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T040249Z UID:10000613-1760918400-1761004799@excelnotes.com SUMMARY:Heroes and Forefathers Day DESCRIPTION:Heroes and Forefathers Day is a public holiday in the British Virgin Islands honoring the territory's national heroes\, leaders and ancestors\, celebrating their resilience\, contributions and cultural legacy. \nWhen is Heroes and Forefathers Day?\nHeroes and Forefathers Day is observed on the third Monday in October. \nThe following is the list of Heroes and Forefathers Day from 2020 to 2049. \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n HolidayDateWeekday\n\n\n\n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 18\, 2021Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 17\, 2022Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 16\, 2023Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 21\, 2024Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 20\, 2025Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 19\, 2026Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 18\, 2027Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 16\, 2028Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 15\, 2029Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 21\, 2030Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 20\, 2031Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 18\, 2032Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 17\, 2033Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 16\, 2034Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 15\, 2035Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 20\, 2036Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 19\, 2037Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 18\, 2038Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 17\, 2039Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 15\, 2040Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 21\, 2041Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 20\, 2042Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 19\, 2043Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 17\, 2044Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 16\, 2045Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 15\, 2046Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 21\, 2047Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 19\, 2048Monday \n \n Heroes and Forefathers DayOct 18\, 2049Monday \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\nThe History of Heroes and Forefathers Day?\nFor many years\, the British Virgin Islands observed Columbus Day in October\, like several other Caribbean and U.S. territories. The day honored Christopher Columbus' 1493 landing in the Virgin Islands\, a moment that marked the beginning of European colonization but also the displacement and suffering of Indigenous peoples. \nOver time\, many in the Virgin Islands questioned the relevance of Columbus Day\, noting that it celebrated colonial history rather than the achievements and struggles of Virgin Islanders themselves. \nIn line with a global movement to replace colonial holidays with ones honoring local heritage\, the BVI began to explore alternatives that would better reflect the territory's identity. \nIn 2020\, the Government of the Virgin Islands officially replaced Columbus Day with Heroes and Forefathers Day\, to be observed on the third Monday in October. The change was meant to honor the forefathers\, national heroes\, and leaders of the Virgin Islands who shaped the community through their vision\, resilience and leadership. \nIt also recognized the ordinary men and women whose work and sacrifices contributed to the territory's survival and progress. \nThe holiday shifts focus away from colonial figures like Columbus and instead centers the narrative on the Virgin Islands' own people. It reinforces pride in local history\, encourages the younger generation to learn about their heritage\, and celebrates the values of strength\, resilience and leadership that define the BVI. URL:https://excelnotes.com/holiday/heroes-and-forefathers-day/ CATEGORIES:People ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://excelnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Heroes-and-Forefathers-Day.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR