Almost all Mehregan celebrations have been canceled across Iran due to the coronavirus pandemic. The most notable was the congregational celebration scheduled to take place in Ardakan, Yazd province, on 1^st October, 2020. Mehregan, which falls on the 196^th day of the Iranian calendar (usually equals 2^nd October in the Gregorian calendar) is a traditional celebration marking the autumn harvest festival.

Mehregan in Iran brings together Iranian Zoroastrians in celebration of Mithra, the ancient goddess of friendship, affection and love. The celebrations usually comprise keynote speeches made by prominent Zoroastrian religious leaders and officials, Shahnameh recitations, exciting contests and fun customaries. A key feature each year is large spreads laden with various ingredients, each symbolising particular beliefs.  Fruits, vegetables, dried nuts, sweets, rosewater, grilled lamb meat, lotus seeds, and silver coins and a scale are typically placed, the latter symbolizes autumnal equinox.

Legends say Mehregan was a day of victory for the noble Fereydoon and Kaveh, who overcame the evil Zohak. They imprisoned him in Mount Damavand, where he later died of his wounds. After the capture of Zohak, Fereydoon was nominated as the king and the people celebrate this occasion with great fervor. The story has been narrated in Shahnameh, a long epic poem by the illustrated Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020 CE).

Last year, Iran submitted five separate dossiers, including the Mehregan celebration, to UNESCO, for possible inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

[Courtesy: Tehran Times]