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January 1   Gantan-sai   (Shinto)   Shinto is the indigenous faith of Japan and traces its roots to the 8^th century BCE. Gantan-sai is a New Year’s festival observed with prayers for inner renewal. The festival lasts seven days, during which people wear their best clothes to visit shrines and the homes of friends to bring their prayers and wishes for health and prosperity.

January 6   Epiphany   (Christian)   The name of this holiday is taken from the Greek and means “manifestation”. It celebrates the revelation of Jesus Christ as both Son of God and human being.              In Western Christianity, the day commemorates the visitation of the Magi to the infant Jesus. In Eastern Christianity, the commemoration is of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River.

January 9-12   Mahayana New Year   (Buddhist)   Because the New Year is celebrated at different times of the year according to country of origin and ethnicity, this holiday celebrates the New Year for Buddhists of the Mahayana tradition and begins on the first full moon day of January.

January 13   Maghi   (Sikh)   On this day, Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of the Chali Mukte, literally,  the Forty Liberated Ones, who gave their lives in a battle with an Imperial army in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh. Gobind Singh was the tenth and last in a lineage of Sikh Gurus and is notable for his formalization of the faith.

January 15  World Religion Day   (Baha’i)   Originating in 1950, this day was established within the Baha’i faith to honor the unity within the diversity of the world’s faith traditions.

January 20   Vasant Panchami   (Hindu)   This festival celebrates Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and art. Traditionally during this festival, children are taught to write their first words and educational institutions will mark the day with special prayers.

Note- Some dates may vary depending on whether Gregorian, Julian or lunar calendars are used to mark observance dates.