New Year- 21st March
This is the most important of the Parsi
Festivals. The most important is the NEW YEAR DAY. This originally was celebrated in spring at the time of the vernal equinox
on 21st March. Due to failure of intercalation of one month every 120 years, this comes now during the month of August for
most Parsis in India. The New Year Day is a day of joy when people flock to the Fire Temples, meet relatives and go to the
theatre in the evening.
Khordad Saal- The Birthday of Zoroaster
The Birthday of Zarathustra, Khordad Saal, falls
on the Sixth Day in the first month of the Parsi year, around August/September, Farvardin.
This day was celebrated with
gaiety in the olden days but, of late, has become a quiet affair. It is a day of rejoicing when people go to Fire temples
to offer their prayers and pay their homage to the Prophet Sahib. Then they celebrate with a grand feast.
Jamshedji Navroz
Some Parsis follow the Fasli
calendar and their New Year commences with the Vernal Equinox. It usually takes place on March 21st. This day is also called
Spring New Year because it bridges the old year to the New Year with the advent of spring. The resurgence of life takes place
during this period with the symbolic victory of the forces of light over darkness. This festival is celebrated
by Parsis from Iran on a grand scale with lavish food consisting of dry fruits, melon juice and sweets.
It is called Jamshedi Navroz after
Jamshed, a pre-Zoroastrian King of Iran, in whose reign the festival started. It is said, that King Jamshed introduced solar
reckoning into the Persian calendar, and also determined the date when the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, as the beginning
of the year. Also, legend has it, that on this day King Jamshed forced the demons to carry him on their shoulders from Mount
Demavand to Babylon. This day came to be known as Navroz or Jamshedi Navroz day.
On this occasion, it was customary
for the king to be weighed in gold and silver, and the money was then distributed to the poor. People greet each other by
doing the Hama-zor - united in strength, and visit the Fire Temple.
Jashans
There are certain days in the year which are celebrated
as 'Jashan Holidays'. They are mainly Meherangan, Rapithvan, Tirangan, Adar Parab and Avan Parab. Jashan on Farvardian Parab
is not a celebration but a solemn affair.
Zarthost No Deeso
Zarthost No Deeso takes place in June, on Khorshed
roz, Dae mah (11th day, 10th month).
This is the day on which the death anniversary
of the prophet symbolically falls. Special prayers are recited and Zoroastrians go to the Fire Temple to pray. The prophet
Zarathustra is believed to have died in a temple while praying, and the day is an occasion of mourning, and lectures and discourses
are held on the life and works of the Prophet.
