Parsis as a community love to celebrate. Not just their own feasts and festivals, even Diwali and Christmas are celebrated with equal gusto. However, often in our enthusiasm, we unknowingly violate certain fundamental precepts of our religion. For example, the misuse of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali. Not only are firecrackers a source of […]
Author: Noshir H. Dadrawala
How Our Prayers and Rituals Aid Sound Mental Health
Some of us believe that prayers and rituals are not in accord with the spirit and message of the Gathas. Their emphasis is only on ‘rational thought’ and the simplistic notion of “good thoughts, good words and good deeds”. Agreed, the religion of Asho Zarathushtra is not based on blind faith, superstition or fear of […]
Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru
He was a Saint who led a Simple life – A Priest but not Pedantic – An Alchemist but he never abused the knowledge or power he was blessed with – An Astrologer but not prone to Alibi – A Healer with a Heart of gold…. Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru was born in Surat on […]
Khordad Saal – Time to Celebrate Perfection
Zoroastrians observe Khordad Roj of Fravardin Mah as Khordad Saal. This is the sixth day of the first month of the Zoroastrian calendar. Each of the 30 days of the month, as also each of the 12 months of the Zoroastrian calendar, is dedicated to an Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) or a Yazata (Adorable Spiritual […]
Parsi Thy Name Is Charity
Parsi, thy name is charity” is a common expression that probably traces its roots to the time of the British Raj. No less a person than Mahatma Gandhi has acknowledged, “I am proud of my country, India, for having produced the splendid Zoroastrian stock, in numbers beneath contempt, but in charity and philanthropy, perhaps unequalled, […]
Aspandarmad – The Divinity Embodying Piety And Devotion
The current month, Aspandarmad/Spendarmad is the twelfth and last month of the Zoroastrian calendar. This holy month is 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, […]
Bahman – The Divinity Of Wisdom
As we welcome Bahman Mahino this Monday, 13th June, 2016, most of us associate the month with abstinence from consuming meat. Many who don’t observe vegetarianism for the entire Bahman month, tend to stay vegetarian for a day, on ‘Bahman Mahino, Bahman Roj’, which falls on Tuesday, the 14th of June. Noshir Dadrawala demystifies and […]