📅 holiday

Maha Shivaratree

Sunday, February 15, 2026

— days to go

Maha Shivaratree is a public holiday of great importance to many of the Hindu population in Mauritius. It is the “Great Night of Shiva” and commemorates the marriage of Shiva to Parvati according to Hindu tradition. In 2027, Maha Shivaratree falls on Saturday 6 March. The holiday will be on Wednesday 23 February in 2028. Maha Shivaratree is celebrated each year on the 13th night and 14th day of the 11th month of the Hindu Calendar. That usually comes in February or March on the Gregorian Calendar. The main Maha Shivaratree event in Mauritius takes place at Lake Ganga Talao, located in the centre of the island. Ever since holy water from the Ganges River of India was poured into this lake back in 1972, it too has become a major Hindu holy site. Large crowds of devout Hindus set out on pilgrimage to the lake on Maha Shivaratree. They dress in full white and carry large bamboo-and-paper depictions of various Hindu gods and virtues on their shoulders. At the lake shore, they pray, present offerings at one of the numerous lakeside shrines, and gather holy water from the lake into vessels. Once back at home again, devotees pour out the holy lake water over a statue of Shiva that they have in or near their home.

History

It is the “Great Night of Shiva” and commemorates the marriage of Shiva to Parvati according to Hindu tradition. Maha Shivaratree is celebrated each year on the 13th night and 14th day of the 11th month of the Hindu Calendar. The main Maha Shivaratree event in Mauritius takes place at Lake Ganga Talao, located in the centre of the island. Ever since holy water from the Ganges River of India was poured into this lake back in 1972, it too has become a major Hindu holy site

How It's Celebrated

Other Years

2027 Sat

6 Mar

2028 Wed

23 Feb

2026 Sun

15 Feb

2025 Wed

26 Feb

Countries

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📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

📅 holiday Feb 23

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📅 holiday Mar 19

St Joseph's Day

Every 19 March is celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day in Roman Catholic cantons of the Swiss Confederation. In 2027, St Joseph's Day falls on Friday 19 March. The holiday will be on Sunday 19 March in 2028. However, in recent years, people have paid it less and less mind, and many local businesses in these regions don’t even close on Saint Joseph’s Day like they used to. Interestingly, there are two different religious feast days dedicated to Joseph in Roman Catholicism. Saint Joseph’s Day focuses on his role as the husband of Mary and “step father” of the child Jesus. But on 1 May, Saint Joseph the Worker day focuses on his role as the patron saint of all carpenters. There aren’t many events in areas of Switzerland celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day on 19 March. For those who have the day off, it is often spent relaxing, shopping or getting outdoors in the Spring weather.

CHESVA +1

📅 holiday Mar 30

Seward's Day

Seward’s Day commemorates the signing of the treaty with the Russian Empire on 30 March 1867 that secured the purchase of Alaska. This holiday differs from Alaska Day, which commemorates the “formal actual transfer” of Alaska. In 2027, Seward's Day falls on Monday 29 March. The holiday will be on Monday 27 March in 2028. The treaty was single-handedly negotiated by Secretary of State William Seward, which arranged for the vast territory’s purchase at only $7.2 million. Russia was willing to sell because, at the time, Alaska was costing them more to maintain as a territory than it was producing in revenues. Thus, Seward was mocked by many and his purchase dubbed “Seward’s Folly” and, other times, “Seward’s Icebox.” However, in 1897, the discovery of gold in the Klondike River and the subsequent Alaska Gold Rush quelled the objections of “the doubters.” Seward, having passed away in 1872, never lived to witness his vindication. Later, the discovery of large oil, gas, and coal deposits and the development of the lumber and fishing industries proved once again how valuable Alaska was economically. Another factor to remember is that the removal of Russian influence from the North American continent was a significant political benefit the U.S. gained from the deal. Seward’s Day is observed every final Monday of March in Alaska, and many are off work or school. There are events held every year in Anchorage, Sitka, and Seward.