Zoroastrians observe Khordad Roj (day) of Fravardin Mah (month) as Khordad Saal. This is the sixth day of the first month of the Zoroastrian calendar. Each of the 30 days of the month, as also each of the 12 months of the Zoroastrian calendar, is dedicated to an Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) or a Yazata (Adorable Spiritual Being).

Doctrinally, Khordad is perceived as a Divine Aspect or Energy of Ahura Mazda which presides over ‘Time’ and ‘Perfection’. It is for this reason that the first Khordad Roj of the new calendar is celebrated as Khordad-sal-Khoday, i.e. ‘Khordad, Lord of the Year’.

Homage is paid to this Divine Energy of ‘Time’ and ‘Perfection’ in order that the year is filled with happiness, our time is well spent and our lives come closer to perfection.

Until a few decades ago, Khordad Sal used to be a general public holiday declared by the State Government.

Auspicious Day

In Zoroastrian tradition, a number of significant events are believed to have taken place on this blessed day. Gayomard (the first human being), Hooshang (the first King of ancient Iran), Kai Khosraw (a great and glorious King of Iran) and most important of all, Asho Zarathushtra, are believed to have been born on this auspicious day.

This day also signifies the triumph of good over evil for on this day, Shah Jamsheed is believed to have virtually ushered freedom from death and disease; the great King Kai Khosraw vanquished the evil Afrasiab and King Vishtasp accepted Zarathushtra as a messenger of Ahura Mazda.

In ancient times, Parsis used to spend this auspicious day in prayer at home and of course, at the Agiary or Atash Behram. It is also considered meritorious to perform jashan ceremony on this day to invoke the blessings of Ahura Mazda and His Divine Energy of Perfection (Khordad).

Zarathustra’s Birthday

It is a happy coincidence that Khordad is the Divinity of Perfection and traditionally this day also commemorates the birth of Asho Zarathustra whose message is timeless and perfect and will remain relevant and perfect in every era.

In the sacred Gatha the Prophet tells us about the choice we all must exercise each day using our mind which we must strive to illumine every single day of our life with practice of right thoughts, good words and noble deeds. His, was clearly a reflective religion of moral choice and consequences.

He taught us to be righteous not for the sake of any heavenly reward, but, simply for the sake of righteousness.

He neither preached denial nor blood sacrifices. His vision and message is of Asha (Truth), Raadi (Charity) and Ushta (Happiness).

Aspire For Perfection

Perfection, of course, is relative. To many of us, perfection would perhaps mean something that perfectly corresponds to a specific requirement, rather than being perfect in an absolute sense. At times, perfection is accepting the fact that we live in a world that is perfect in its imperfections.

Human beings by nature are fallible and therefore many consider perfection as non-existent. Many even encourage living out one’s imperfections. However, while agreeing that perfection may not be attainable; if we pursue perfection, we can at least attain excellence!

To conclude, we live in a perfecting world that’s still far away from the perfect world that Zarathushtra envisioned. But, Zarathushtra has given us a roadmap that can help us take a few steps towards his ideal. Religion is a way of life. Live it. Live it with truth, charity and happiness and that’s all we need to make this world a better place to live in!

Khordad Sal Mubarak!