This year, the Holy Fravardegan or Muktad days, as per the Shehenshahi calendar, commence on 5^th August and end on 14^th August, 2025. It is believed, during this period, the fravashi of the righteous dead, come to visit us from the spiritual world and bless all who remember and pray for them. Fravahar or Fravashi is the Divine essence, which is wholly pure and good. It is not to be confused with the ruwan or soul.

The term fravashi comes from the word Fra (to take forward) and vaksh (to grow). In other words, Fravashi is that spiritual essence or energy that takes every good creation of Ahura Mazda forward and helps it to grow. Fravashi is also the prototype, which is believed to have existed before material creation. Even Ahura Mazda and the Amesha Spenta and the Yazata, are said to have their own fravashi. Plants, animals, mountains and rivers also have their own fravashi. They are guardian spirits of the souls of the dead and protect and guide the souls of the living as well.

Ten Holy Days

The holy Fravardegan days extend from Roj Astad to Roj Aneran of the last month – Aspandarmad, and to these last five days, we add five days of the Gatha. The five Gatha days are ‘stand-alone’ days and are neither suffixed to the last moth of the Zoroastrian calendar (Aspandarmad), nor prefixed to the first month of the Zoroastrian calendar (Fravardin). Thus, the five Gatha days belong to no particular month in the Zoroastrian calendar.

These last ten days of the Zoroastrian calendar are observed with great sanctity and piety by devout Zoroastrians. The term Muktad is derived from the Sanskrit term Mukt Atma or the free/liberated spirit. The first five days from Roj Ashtad to Roj Aneran are known as the Panj-i-Keh, (smaller days) and during these days the normal Baj, Afringan, Farokshi and Stum prayers are recited in honour of the Ardafravash. The five Gatha days from Ahunavad to Vahishtoisht are called the Panj-i-Mah (greater days).

The five Gatha days also mark the seasonal festival of the Hamaspathmaidyem Gahambar (to commemorate Ahura Mazda’s sixth creation – human beings)! During the five Gatha days Baj, Afringan, Farokshi and Stum prayers are recited in honour of the Gatha and the Gahambar. Special Gahambar Jashans are also performed during these five days.

What To Pray

Traditionally, prayers should be offered in all the five Gehs of the day and during the first five days, the Fra Mraot (i.e., Chapter 20 of the Yasna) should be chanted or 1,200 Ashem (a short twelve words’ prayer) should be prayed. During the five Gatha days, the relevant Gatha may be chanted or 1,200 Yatha (a short twenty-one words’ prayer). It is also considered meritorious to pray the Fravardin Yasht during these ten days. Praying the Stum no Kardo, Muktad no Namaskar and Patet (repentance) for the soul (Patet Ravani) of near and dear loved ones is also recommended.

Acts Of Charity

Acts of charity in memory of our loved ones are meaningful ways to honour their life and spirit. One may support charitable causes that our loved ones cared about and these acts of charity can range from donations to charitable institutions to informal gestures of kindness and assistance to individuals in need. Acts of charity could include feeding the poor, donating to religious causes, supporting educational or community projects, and even donating the belongings of the deceased to those in need.

Muktad days provide a special opportunity to express feelings of love and compassion. Then again, love and charity go hand in hand, considering that charity is the highest form of love, signifying the unique selfless love that the Divine showers on us and is expressed in our own selfless love for others. Thus, besides prayers and rituals, one of the best ways to express our love for our loved ones, is through acts of charity. Be charitable, not just with money, but also with the wealth of your time and talent.

Managing Grief

Grief, as a consequence of losing a loved one, is a natural process and a unique journey for everyone. Dealing with the absence of someone we have loved on a daily basis isn’t easy. There is no way to escape it, one can only go through it. We cannot change destiny but we can certainly take charge of one’s response to it. While we are all mortals, our deeds can leave a lasting legacy. This is what consoles the grieving – that their dear departed one has carved his or her name is so many hearts.

Muktad is not a time for grief but for reflection. It is the time for remembering the legacy of our loved one which is etched in our hearts. One of physical life’s inexorable tenets is, nothing lasts forever.  All good things come to an end. And, yet, those who survive must find new meaning to life and make new beginnings. One of the best ways to find new meaning to life after the loss of a loved one is to continue leading a meaningful life with renewed purpose and productivity and give a new lease of life to the legacy of our dear departed ones. We can find comfort during the Muktad by honouring their memory – finding a sense of purpose by getting involved in activities that they enjoyed and supporting the causes they championed, thus enabling us to always stay connected with the legacy of our loved ones.