Query From Parsi Times reader, Bakhtawar Appoo: “Is there a cycle of re-birth in our religion and does a soul choose his/her parents at the time of birth?” Noshir Dadrawala responds: The Zoroastrian religion, in its most pristine form, focuses on this life and not so much on the after-life. What is important is […]
According to legend, it was the great Shah (King) Jamsheed of the pre-historic Peshdaad dynasty, who initiated the tradition of celebrating the spring festival of Navruz (New Day). This day marks a new beginning with celebration and contemplation for a better tomorrow for this world. Therefore, let us study the persona of Shah Jamsheed and reflect on […]
ઝોરાસ્ટ્રિયન ઇતિહાસકાર અને ધાર્મિક વિદ્વાન, નોશીર દાદરાવાલા, શાહ જમશીદના મુલ્યવાંન નેતૃત્વના પાઠ શેર કરે છે જે આજે પણ ફાયદાકારક સાબિત થઈ શકે છે! દંતકથા અનુસાર, તે ઐતિહાસીક પેશદાદ રાજવંશના મહાન રાજા જમશીદ હતા જેમણે નવરોઝ (ન્યુ ડે) ના સ્પ્રિંગ ફેસ્ટિવલની ઉજવણીની પરંપરા શરૂ કરી હતી. આ દિવસ આ વિશ્ર્વ માટે વધુ સારા આવતીકાલની ઉજવણી અને […]
Query from Parsi Times reader, Jal K. Patel: Having lost a dear one overseas, I was very disturbed. I therefore contacted a friend who is very religious and asked him what I could pray for my own solace and the peace of my dear departed one. The answer I received from him left me […]
More than two and a half millennia ago, ancient Persians were Master Maritimers. Neither the seas nor rivers stood as barriers for them, be it for trade or during war. The greater the obstacle, the more glory they saw in overcoming it. They were innovative, bold and adventurous. We narrate here how three Great Achaemenian […]
In keeping with readers writing in questions seeking answers to their various religious and cultural queries, scholar in Zoroastrian religion and culture – Noshir Dadrawala, responds… Queries from Parsi Times reader Adil Kasad: Is it true that only the Atash Nyaish can be prayed in front of the kebla, and that other Nyaish cannot be prayed […]
Recently I had an opportunity to interact with a few young Zoroastrians who had a number of questions regarding our mode of offering worship, especially at an Agyari or Atash Bahram. This led me to believe that many others may also have similar questions in their mind, which I would like to share with you […]
The holy month of Meher begins on 12th February, 2023, and two days later (i.e. 14th February, 2023) it will be Valentine’s Day. Interestingly, the Avestan name for Meher Yazata is Mithra — the Divinity presiding over oaths, promise, contracts, bonds, friendship and love. Avestan Mithra finds an echo in the Sanskrit word ‘Mitra’, which means friend. Valentine’s Day was earlier celebrated as a Christian […]
Recently, a meeting of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India was held in Mumbai. The meeting was scheduled for two days and I attended the same in my capacity as Jt. Honorary Secretary. However, I left just before lunch on the first day itself because of the proverbial ‘bad blood’ I saw spilling […]
વાસ્તુ અનુસાર, ઉત્તર દિશાને સારી માનવામાં આવે છે તે કુબેરનું ક્ષેત્ર છે – સંપત્તિના દેવતા. ઉત્તર-પૂર્વ વધુ સારી માનવામાં આવે છે. બીજી બાજુ, દક્ષિણ દિશાને યમનું ક્ષેત્ર માનવામાં આવે છે, મૃત્યુનું દેવત્વ અને તેથી તે દિશા સારી નથી. જો કે, પારસી પરંપરામાં વિરૂધ્ધતા છે તે દક્ષિણને સારું અને ઉત્તરને સારું નહીં માનવાનું જણાવે છે. અમને […]
A few days ago, I met a friend who argued that prayers and rituals are not in accord with the spirit of the Gatha or the message of Zarathushtra. His emphasis was only on wisdom, rational thinking and the simplistic notion of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. I concurred with him that the […]