The first day of Lent — 40 days of penitence before Easter.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day Lenten season of fasting, prayer, and repentance leading to Easter. The name comes from the practice of marking foreheads with ashes — typically burned palm fronds from the previous year's Palm Sunday — as a sign of mortality and penitence.
Computed for Merchtem (Europe/Brussels) using local sunrise, sunset and astronomical positions.
Other observances and vrats falling in February 2027, with dates computed for Merchtem.
See every observance, vrat and ekadashi computed precisely for Merchtem — or pick a different city.
A more detailed account of Ash Wednesday in Merchtem — its mythology, regional variations, and rituals — is being prepared.