September 2012 - important holidays of the largest religious and ethnic groups

Hinduism

19 September: Ganesh Chaturthi

A Hindu festival honouring Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles, depicted as a man with an elephant's head.

Judaism

16 September: Rosh HaShana

The Jewish New Year is the beginning of a ten-day period of reflection (see Yom Kippur). On the first day of the New Year the shofar (a ram's horn) is blown which is a call to repentance. Apples dipped in honey are eaten during a festive dinner to symbolise the desire for a "sweet" year. The traditional New Year's blessing is "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year". The year 5773 after the creation of the world starts in the Jewish calendar. (All Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the previous day.)

25 September: Yom Kippur

The "Day of Atonement" is observed with strict fasting. It is a day for people to ask God for forgiveness of their sins and forgive others. Biblical origins are found in Leviticus where a live goat ("scapegoat") over whose head Aaron confessed all the sins of the children of Israel was sent into the wilderness, bearing their sins. (All Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the previous day.)