Aspandarmad or Spendarmad is the twelfth and last month of the Zoroastrian calendar, dedicated to Spenta Armaity – the Divinity that presides over Mother Earth. The term ‘Spenta’ has been variously translated as increasing, growing, good, holy and benevolent; while the term ‘Armaity’ has been variously translated to mean devotion, piety and peace. In other […]
As a community we may be small in number, but, always ready and big on celebrations! For a ‘True Blue Bawaji’ everyday is a celebration and every event or occasion is an excuse to feast. But, some days are extra special and call for extra celebrations. Take for example our birthday – celebrating just one […]
In recent times, we have unfortunately reduced the term Gambhar to a travesty. There are Gambhars hosted by individuals who possess political aspirations and are power-hungry to use Gambhars as a platform to entice the ever-hungry community, which generally gauges the candidate’s worth on the quality of the patru! There is also the ‘fee no […]
“All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.” — John Kenneth Galbraith In his time, Dadabhai influenced among many others, Mahatma Gandhi, Mohamed Ali Jinnah, and […]
In the Zoroastrian calendar, the second day of every month as well as the eleventh month of every year is dedicated to Bahman Amshaspand. Bahman is the Persian form of the Pahlavi word Wahman and the original Avestan – Vohu Manah, a term which most scholars translate as the ‘Good Mind’, though there are more […]
The month of Dae is dedicated to the Supreme Divinity, Ahura Mazda. Throughout this holy month, devout Parsis perform thanks-giving Jasan offering gratitude to Ahura Mazda for His Bounties. It is considered particularly meritorious to perform Jasan on Roj Hormuzd, Daepadar, Daepmeher and Daepdin. During the month of Dae, the Maidhyarem Gambhar is observed from Roj Meher to Roj Behram. There are six Gambhar which in ancient times were observed as six great holidays, with each Gambhar […]
During the month of Dae, Parsis perform Jasan ceremonies by way of thanks-giving at home, at their workplace as also at various community centers and places of worship. Colloquially or in ordinary conversation, Jasan means ‘rejoicing’ or an ‘assembly of rejoicing’. This is because the religious ceremony is usually followed by feasting and merriment among […]
In the Zoroastrian calendar every month is dedicated to either an Amesha Spenta (Arch Divinity) or a Yazata (Hamkaar or co-worker of the Amesha Spenta). The month of Dae is dedicated to the Supreme Amesha Spenta, Dadaar Hormuzd – The Creator, Dae Dadaar. It is a month of thanksgiving to the Creator and one way […]
For Parsi Zoroastrians, Iran is not only a place of pilgrimage or historical insight, but also a place that provides a new perspective on life. It is not a place just for staid elderly couples, but, quite a ‘happening’ place. As part of the SVG team, I’ve visited Iran over 22 times over a […]
It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies, but, it does. Parsi Times is now seven years old. Seven is a favourite number all over the world. Many consider it to be a lucky number. There are seven days of the week, seven colours of the rainbow, seven notes on a musical scale, seven seas […]
Adar is the Divinity that presides over fire. In the Zoroastrian calendar, Adar is the ninth day of every month of thirty days and also the ninth month of the year of twelve months. Nine is a sacred number across several religious traditions. In the Zoroastrian tradition, Prophet Zarathustra is often depicted holding a nine-knotted […]