October 21, 2024
Weekly global religious, spiritual and nonreligious observance information
The University Committee on Religious, Spirituality and Nonreligious Diversity presents the global observance information for Oct. 21 to Oct. 27.
Navaratri — Tuesday, Oct. 15-Wednesday, Oct. 23. Tradition: Hinduism. A nine-night celebration of nine auspicious forms of Shakti/Devi — feminine divine power/the Goddess.
Sukkot — Wednesday, Oct. 16-Wednesday, Oct. 23. Tradition: Judaism. Also known as Feast of Booths. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths, or tabernacles, and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths — sukkot — used by Israelites during desert wanderings and constructed in the fields during the harvest season. It is a time of thanksgiving for God's presence in creation and among the Jewish people. The Eighth Day — Shmini 'Atzeret — is considered both the end of Sukkot and a distinct festival.
Dusserah — Vijaya Dashami — Wednesday, Oct. 23. Tradition: Hinduism.
Simchat Torah — Friday, Oct. 25. Tradition: Judaism. "Rejoicing of the Law" joyous festival in which the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue is completed and its first book begun again. The celebration typically includes singing, dancing and marching with Torah scrolls.
The University Committee on Religious, Spiritual and Nonreligious Diversity offers these weekly announcements in partial fulfillment of its mandate to ensure that K-Staters of all religious, spiritual and nonreligious backgrounds are seen as valued members of our community. For more information about the committee and its work, contact Professor David Yetter, at dyetter@k-state.edu.