SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR LIGHTING RELIGIOUS CANDLES IN THE RESIDENCE
HALLS
Housing Services
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Directions: Please complete this form, and return it to the Residence Director of your cluster.
You will be notified, in writing, of the decision to grant the request.
Candle Policy: Candles are not permitted in the residence halls. Candles may be used for religious
purposes only in designated lounges of residence halls. If you plan to light religious candles, you
must:
1. Complete this agreement, and obtain written permission from your RD or ARD.
2. Use candlesticks that do not exceed four (4) inches in height.
3. Place the religious candlesticks on a table or desk completely cleared of other
material, away from shelves and open windows.
4. Position candlesticks in a pan containing one-half inch of water. The pan must be
large enough to catch the candles if they fall.
5. Light the religious candles only during the times noted on the signed agreement.
6. Remain in the designated lounge as long as the candle is burning.
Person Responsible:____________________________________________________________
Phone #:______________ ID #:___________________________ Room #:_________
Date of planned candle use:_________________________________________________
Time of planned candle use:_______
TO ________________________________
Location of planned candle use:______________________________________________
Intended Audience:__________________________ # of participants:________________
Reason for use of candles:_________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
I agree to abide by the candle policy as outlined above and in the Residence Hall Manual.
Signature:_____________________________________ Date:__________________
-------------------------------------------------------------For Office Use Only:
APPROVED
Reason/comment:
DENIED
A/RD Signature:_________________________________
BUDDHIST HOLIDAYS:
Theravada Sect
Magna Puja
One of the holiest Buddhist holidays. It marks the occasion when 1,250 of Buddha’s disciplines
gathered spontaneously to hear Him speak
Vesakha Puja
The most sacred of all Buddhist days, it celebrates the birth, death and
enlightenment of the Buddha.
Kathina Day
End of 3-month retreat by monks.
Pavarana
Celebrates the Buddha’s return to earth after spending one Lent season
preaching in heaven.
Mahayana Sect
Nirvana Day
Observes the passing of Sakyamuni into Nirvana. He obtained enlightenment and became a
Buddha.
Buddha Day
This service commemorates the birth of Guatama in Lumbini Garden. Amida, the
Buddha of Infinite Wisdom and Compassion manifested himself among men in
the person Guatama.
Bodhi Day
Celebrates the enlightenment of Buddha.
CHRISTIAN HOLIDAYS:
Feast of the Epiphany
The revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi at Bethlehem.
Shrove Tuesday
The Tuesday immediately before Ash Wednesday, it marks the end of the
carnival season.
Ash Wednesday
The first day of Lent, a forty-day season of spiritual preparation for Easter.
Palm Sunday
The Sunday before Easter which commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus
into Jerusalem.
Holy Thursday
Also known as Maundy Thursday, it is the Thursday of Holy Week.
Good Friday
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
Easter Sunday
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
Ascension Day
The fortieth day after Easter. It commemorates the ascension of Jesus into
Heaven.
Pentecost Whitsuntide
Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after Easter. Marks
the beginning of the Christian Church.
Feast of the Assumption
Commemorates the taking of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
All Saints’ Day
Commemorates all of the Saints.
First Sunday in Advent
Begins four weeks of spiritual preparation in observance of the birth of Jesus.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Observance commemorating the doctrine that Mary, from the moment of conception, was free
from the stain of original sin.
Christmas Day
Commemorates the birth of Jesus.
EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOLIDAYS
Christmas
Commemorates the birth of Jesus.
First Day of Lent
Begins a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter.
Easter Sunday
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
HINDU HOLIDAYS
Pongal Sandrandi
A three-day harvest festival.
Vasenta Pachemi
Celebrated in honor of Saraswati, the charming and sophisticated goddess of
scholars.
Shivarati
A solemn festival devoted to the worship of Shiva, the most powerful of deities of the Hindu
pantheon.
Holi
Celebrates the advent of Spring.
Ganguar
Celebrated in honor of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
Ram Navami
Birthday of God Rama.
Hauman Jayanti
Birthday of Monkey God Hunumanji
Meennakshi Kalyaham
The annual commemoration of the marriage of Meerakshi to Lord Shiva.
Teej
Celebrates the arrival of the monsoon. Parvati is the presiding deity.
Naag Panchami
Dedicated to Sesha, also called Anant, the great thousand-headed serpent.
Jarmashtami
Commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, believed to be the reincarnation of Vishnu and the
author of the Bhagvadgita.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Dedicated to Ganesh, the deity with an elephant’s head.
Dura Puja
A festival celebrated with variations in different regions of India.
Diwali
Marks the end of the Hindu New Year.
Nutan Varsh
Hindu New Year
Dav Depotsavi
Special Diwali Festival.
JEWISH HOLIDAYS
Rosh Hashanah
The first of the High Holy Days which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of penitence and
spiritual renewal. Marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar year.
Yom Kippur
The most holy day of the Jewish year, it is marked by fasting and prayer as Jews
seek forgiveness from both God and man for personal wrongdoings.
Sukkot
Commemorates the forty-year wandering of Israelites in the desert on the way to the promised
land; gives thanks for the Fall harvest.
Shemini Atzeret
A part of the Sukkot festival
Simchat Torah
Celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch (the five books of the Torah)
and its beginning anew, thus affirming that the study of God’s word is an unending process.
Concludes the Sukkot festival.
First Day of Chanukah
The eight-day festival which celebrates the rededication of the Temple to the
service of God. Commemorates the Maccabean victory over Antiochus IV, a
king who sought to suppress freedom of worship.
Purim
Marks the salvation of the Jews of ancient Persia, through the intervention of Queen Esther, from
Haman’s plot to exterminate them.
First Day of Passover
Celebrates ancient Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egyptian. During this
eight-day festival, matzo (unleavened bread) is eaten.
Yom Hashoah
Day of remembrance for victims of the Nazi Holocaust.
Shavuot
Celebrates the covenant established at Sinai between God and Israel and the
revelation of the Ten Commandments.
MUSLIM HOLIDAYS
Muslims calculate their year according to the phases to the moon. Following long-established
customs, the beginning of a month is determined by witnesses observing the new moon. There is
no regularity in predicting a given month in the Muslim calendar; there may be a difference of one
or two days between previously predicted and actual celebrated holidays. The Islamic calendar
shifts 10 days every year and so a Muslim Holy day this year will come ten days earlier next year.
Isra and Miraj
Commemorates the anniversary of the night journey of the Prophet and his ascension to Heaven.
Laylat Al-Bara’s
Night of the Repentance- Prayers for the dead.
Ramadhan
The ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and the month of fasting during which Muslims fast daily
from sunrise to sunset.
Eid al-Fitr
Holiday celebrating the ending of the month of fasting Ramadhan
Hajji
First day of pilgrimage to Mecca.
Day of Arafat
The day before Eid al-Adha, when all the pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat.
Eid al-Adha
Holiday commemorating the Feast of the Sacrifice.
Id al-Maw’id al-Nabawi
Commemorates the nativity and death of the Prophet Mohammed and his fight
from Mecca to Medina.