The annual festival of ‘Azargan’, which was on November 23, 2020 (Manouchehr Arghavani), was celebrated online this year due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic which has gripped the world. In ancient Iran, Azargan was practiced along with other major national festivals like Noruz, Mehregan, and Arghavani.

The head of Yazd Zoroastrians Association shared that all Zoroastrians in Iran celebrate this day with joyful ceremonies, prayers and with a special feast. “Cleanliness, including combing hair and cutting fingernails, was good on this day, and they believe that on this day, counseling and consultation on different matters and difficulties would lead to the desired outcome,” he told IRNA.

About 10% of residents of Yazd province follow Zoroastrianism. The oasis city is wedged between the northern Dasht-e Kavir and southern Dasht-e Lut on a flat plain, surrounded by mountains. Its historical structure flaunts religious architecture dating from different eras. With its winding lanes, a forest of badgirs (wind catchers), mud-brick houses, atmospheric alleyways, and centuries of history, Yazd is one of Iran’s most popular tourist destinations.