Another new year dawns for the Parsis

Had Parsis forgotten to insert 30 days every 120 years in their calender, throwing their calendar out of sync with other Eurasian ones, they would celebrate their New Year like millions of others on March 21.

But, as tradition would have it, the Navruz or “new day” will dawn for Parsis on August 20 this year. Navruz is also called Nausard and is the first day of the first month of the Zoroastrian year. Celebrated for more than 3000 years, this spring festival originated in Persia.

Global festival
The festival travelled through farmers, nomads and silk route traders and survived the advent of Islam in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and the western provinces of China.

Family connection

Navruz also brings together the family. Zoroastrians reconcile quarrels; forgive debts, enemies and insults. Family members get together and decorate the threshold to the house. After breakfast, all family member visit the nearest fire temple.

Scrumptious cuisine
Food plays a very important role in this festival. For breakfast Parsis eat ravo, made with Suji, milk and sugar, and fried vermicelli cooked in sugar syrup and sprinkled with raisins and almonds. Lunch consists of pulav, fish and chicken curries.
Quaint customs

In the temple a jashan, a thanksgiving prayer, is offered by the priest and those assembled gathering offers sandalwood to the holy fire. After the jashan ceremony everyone greets each other with a Sal Mubarak.