Today, many across the globe will celebrate Christmas Eve and tomorrow, the Christmas feast or holiday. Iranians would have already celebrated the feast of Yalda on 21st December. Interestingly, the festival of Christmas has similarities or rather roots in the ancient Iranian feast of Yalda, which celebrates the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere. While […]
Author: Noshir H. Dadrawala
Urvaram – The (Sacred) Tree
As per the Shahanshahi calendar, we are now in the holy month of Amardad (Avesta Ameretat), variously translated as immortality, eternity and wholesomeness. Amardad is the Seventh Amesha Spenta – Divine Energy/Force of Ahura Mazda, which Zoroastrians refer to collectively as the ‘Bounteous Immortals’. In Zoroastrian tradition, each Amesha Spenta has guardianship over a Good […]
The Seven Sacred Amesha Spentas
The first seven days, according to our calendar, are named after the Seven Ameshaspands. Each of these also has some helpers or assistants who assist them in performing their righteous duty. The significance of the Ameshaspands is as given under: Dadar Hormuzd – the Wisdom and the Spirit of God (Spenta Mainyu): Every man requires the […]
Our Community’s Canine Connection
Besides our love for food, drink, humour and all things good in life, the Parsi community has a special fondness for dogs – know to be ‘man’s best friend’. Most Parsis go the extra mile for their pet dog/s as their favourite family member! Many also feed stray dogs occasionally or even every day. We […]
Mystery Of The Winged Human-Head Motif
Zoroastrians seem to have adopted the Fravahar or Farohar (often pre-fixed with the term Asho which means pure) as a symbol of the Zoroastrian religion. However, is it really a Zoroastrian religious symbol? What does it represent? What is the origin of this symbol? These and several other questions require deeper introspection. Is it […]
Supreme Court’s Judgment On Income From Commercial Activities By Charities
– Parsi Charitable Trusts involved in commercial activities pertaining to housing to exercise extra caution! – The recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India pertaining to commercial or business activities and income from such activities by charitable trusts and institutions enjoying tax exemption is of far-reaching consequences to all trusts, including Parsi charitable trusts. […]
The Feast Of Tirangan
On 26th November, 2022, Roj Tir coincides with Mah Tir as per the Shahenshahi calendar, marking the Parab or festival of Tiragan, one of the three most widely celebrated seasonal festivals of ancient Iran, mentioned even in the Jewish Talmud. While Navruz (Mah Fravardin, Roj Hormuzd) celebrates renewed life and the warmth of spring after […]
Celebrating The Arrival Of Parsis In India
Sanjan Day was celebrated on November 15, 2022, by the community with much gusto. This is, in fact, an annual event to commemorate our community’s historical roots, but more importantly, to express our sense of loyalty and gratitude to India. Exodus From Iran To India: Little is known or documented about the advent of the […]
Celebrate Love Of Wisdom With Happiness
Every year, the ‘United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’ (UNESCO) celebrates ‘World Philosophy Day’ on the third Thursday of November, underlining the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for every individual. According to UNESCO, “Philosophy is an inspiring discipline as well as an everyday practice that can […]
Managing Stress With Healing Prayers
If there is one word that defines modern life or living, it would be ‘stress’! Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don’t feel we can manage or control. Stress transcends barriers of age, gender, class or creed. Children […]
The Practice Of Asha – The Achaemenians Lived It
Ask an average Zoroastrian the fundamental ethos of his/her religion and it is likely that he or she would say, “Humata, Hukata, Huvrashta” or good thoughts, good words and good deeds. However, the fundamental ethos of the religion does not require three words, just one would suffice… and that would be ‘Asha’. Asha, which is […]