5th May, 2024 (tomorrow) will be celebrated as ‘World Laughter Day’. It is an annual event celebrated worldwide to raise awareness about laughter and its many healing benefits, as well as about thousands of community groups worldwide who regularly practice laughter, which is known to promote wellness and overall well-being. World Laughter Day is celebrated […]
Whenever calamities strike, some prophets of doom start to rejoice: “This was prophesied centuries ago,” they claim with glee, adding, “This must happen so that there will be a new world order and the great redeemer will redeem this earth.” I was discussing the recent conflict between Iran and Israel with a few friends and […]
Today, 20th April, 2024, is Roj Adar of Mah Adar. In other words, it is the Parab of Adar – the Divinity that presides over fire. Little wonder that Roj Adar of Mah Adar is the day when several Agyari and Atash Behram were consecrated and enthroned, including the Holiest of Holy, Iranshah! Consecration is an act or manner of making […]
The Holy month of Adar has commenced. Adar is the Divinity that presides over fire. A number of fire temples across India will celebrate their Salgreh (Anniversary) this month. The devout will flock to different Atash Behram and Agyari to offer gratitude and seek divine blessings! Recently, I was talking to a few friends who […]
How time flies! Already the first quarter of the year is over. The new financial year has already begun. Winter is over and Spring, which feels more like Summer, is already upon us. A common human activity we observed during March this year was fasting. People of different religious beliefs have been fasting in different […]
Today, Saturday 30th March, 2024, is the Saturday between Good Friday (when Jesus Christ was crucified) and Easter Sunday (when Jesus Christ was resurrected), more commonly known as ‘Holy Saturday’ or Easter Eve. Today is the last day of Lent and the last day of Holy Week – the week in which Christians prepare for Easter. ‘Holy Saturday’ commemorates the one full day that Jesus […]
The spring festival of Holi is observed on the full moon day of the month of Falgun. This year (2024), the festival will be celebrated on Monday, 25th March. The eve of Holi, known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, will be observed on 24th March by lighting huge bonfires. Falgun is the last month […]
Spring is already in the air and the festival of spring (Jamshedi Navroze) is once again here to remind us of warmth and change – warmth of heart and positive change in our lives. In the poem, ‘The Spring’, poet Thomas Carew contrasts the beauty and joy of spring with the pain of unreciprocated love. […]
Among Zoroastrians, Behram or Bahram Yazata is a favourite Divinity. The twentieth day (Roj) of every month (Mah) in the Zoroastrian calendar is dedicated to Bahram Yazata and this Roj is considered very special and auspicious. Many choose to begin a new task, implement a personal new resolution, or undertake a new project on this […]
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8th March, offers an annual opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, the […]
Gahambar (Pahlavi gāsānbār) literally means, ‘a time for collection’. Some scholars believe, that ‘collection’ refers to the community collecting and connecting in prayer, and giving (their contribution of grain or service in cooking or serving food or fire wood) and feasting together – rich and poor, all at the same table. Others feel it is […]