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 […]
Category: Religion
To Which Direction Should We Turn?
According to vastu, the Northern direction is considered good for it is the domain of Kuber – the Divinity of Wealth. North-east is considered even better. On the other hand, the Southern direction is considered the domain of Yama, the Divinity of Death and therefore not so good. However, in Zoroastrian tradition, it’s the opposite […]
Time to Celebrate Divine Strength And Righteous Power
We are now in the holy month of Shehrevar (Avestan Khshathra vairya), which represents Ahura Mazda’s ‘desirable dominion’ and is the Amesha Spenta or Archangel presiding over metals and minerals. The Zoroastrian religion has influenced the three Semitic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) in many ways and in particular, the concept of the ‘Kingdom of […]
Urvaram – The (Sacred) Tree
As per the Shahanshahi calendar, we are now in the holy month of Amardad (Avesta Ameretat), variously translated as immortality, eternity and wholesomeness. Amardad is the Seventh Amesha Spenta – Divine Energy/Force of Ahura Mazda, which Zoroastrians refer to collectively as the ‘Bounteous Immortals’. In Zoroastrian tradition, each Amesha Spenta has guardianship over a Good […]
The Seven Sacred Amesha Spentas
The first seven days, according to our calendar, are named after the Seven Ameshaspands. Each of these also has some helpers or assistants who assist them in performing their righteous duty. The significance of the Ameshaspands is as given under: Dadar Hormuzd – the Wisdom and the Spirit of God (Spenta Mainyu): Every man requires the […]
Abanegan – A Forgotten Festival Commemorating Water As Life Source
Jashan-e Abanegan or simply Abanegan is an ancient Iranian festival held to commemorate water as nature’s most precious treasure, and pay tribute to Anahita, the deity assigned to water, fertility and prosperity. In ancient Iran, water – the element of life, was considered very sacred and the people believed they should never pollute water – […]
Mystery Of The Winged Human-Head Motif
Zoroastrians seem to have adopted the Fravahar or Farohar (often pre-fixed with the term Asho which means pure) as a symbol of the Zoroastrian religion. However, is it really a Zoroastrian religious symbol? What does it represent? What is the origin of this symbol? These and several other questions require deeper introspection. Is it […]
The Feast Of Tirangan
On 26th November, 2022, Roj Tir coincides with Mah Tir as per the Shahenshahi calendar, marking the Parab or festival of Tiragan, one of the three most widely celebrated seasonal festivals of ancient Iran, mentioned even in the Jewish Talmud. While Navruz (Mah Fravardin, Roj Hormuzd) celebrates renewed life and the warmth of spring after […]
Khordad – Celebrating The Spirit Of Perfection!
Today, 15th October, 2022 (Roj Hormazd, Mah Khordad) and 20th October will be the parab of Khordad (Roj Khordad, Mah Khordad) according to the Shehenshahi Calendar. Khordad is the third month of the Zoroastrian calendar and it brings blessings of purity and perfection. Khordad (Avesta Haurvatat) is not only an Amesha Spenta presiding over the purifying waters, it also embodies […]
Advent Of The Saviour
Recently, I met a Parsi who gleefully said, “the advent of the Saviour is very near!” Nonchalantly, I told him that I have been hearing that since the last forty years. Yet, out of curiosity, I asked what made him think the time now is near. “Look at what’s happening all around the world, the […]
Celebrating Salgrehs of Our Holy Atashbehrams On Roj-Sarosh, Mah-Ardibehesht
1st October, 2022 – Roj-Sarosh, Mah-Ardibehesht – is an extremely auspicious day as it marks the Salgreh of a number of our Atashbehrams and Agiaries, including the 193rd Salgreh of Pak Wadiaji Aatash Behram (Princess Street, Mumbai); the 201st Salgreh of Pak Mody, Shahenshahi Aatash Behram (Shahpore, Surat) and the 258th Salgreh of Pak Desai […]