Roj Astad to Aneran of Asfandarmad Mah and the five independent days of the Gatha are observed as the days for propitiating the Fravashis of the righteous dead. The five Gatha days are also the Gahambar days. The Gahambars are six seasonal feasts celebrated with prayers, ritual offerings and community feasts to firstly offer thanks […]
Category: Religion
Celebrating Muktad In The House
Zoroastrians all over the world celebrate the last ten days of their religious calendar year, as the Muktad. Generally, Muktad is viewed in a very limited way as the days of remembering the dead. This is not so. The Muktad is a joyous occasion for welcoming the souls and the Fravashis to this world and […]
Agriculture Is Man’s Noblest Profession
Ahura Mazda sent Zarathushtra for the support, care and guidance of the tillers of the land. Agriculture is the staple industry of mankind. Culture and civilization begin when man, attached to the soil, enters into the settled pursuits of agriculture. He furthers human progress and happiness. Life on the fields gives health and vigour to […]
Vendidad – The Law Against Forces of Evil
Among ancient Zoroastrian sacred texts, the Vendidad is probably the most significant – both historically and liturgically, and yet, it is condemned as an outdated ‘Zoroastrian Penal Code’ and the work of babbling Magi priests obsessed with imaginary demons and magic. Interestingly, the very word ‘magic’ is derived from the Magi, a clan of priests […]
Praying The Right Way
We should pray one Ashem Vohu in the morning when we wake-up and venerate the ground as Asfandarmad Ameshaspand takes care of the earth. This one Ashem Vohu is equivalent to praying it one lakh times, because our mind is peaceful when we are awaken from sleep and it is affected by Ashoi. The Sarosh […]
Man Eats To Live; He Lives Not To Eat
Man who eats not, has no strength to work for righteousness and fight against wickedness. Man must therefore eat. A healthy and a strong body is indispensable for the soul to live strenuous life upon the earth. Wholesome food is the first essential to prevent the body from languishing and to give it the necessary […]
Bushyansta, The Slothful!
Thou didst ordain, Ahura, the night for all to rest and commissioned Thy Sraosha to guard the sleeping world. Peacefully we sleep and peaceful dreams attend us for Thy ever-wakeful angel guards us. At the break of the dawn, Atar, the genius of the fire of the hearth, sounds his warning voice against the stratagem […]
‘Aspandarmad’ Embodies Piety And Devotion
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 […]
The Kadmi Or Ancient New Year
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 […]
Give Us The Sleep Of The Innocent
Ahura Mazda, Artist Divine, Thou didst divide the day into morn and noon, evening and night, and made waking for active duties of life and sleep for timely repose. Thy Sraosha keep his vigil from dusk to dawn and we rest in his keeping, after the day’s labour and work. Many and marvellous are the […]
Important Religious Lessons At Avan Roj Humbandagi
The Bahman Mahino, Avan Roj Humbandagi was conducted by Hoshang Gotla and Er. Darayesh Rustomjee Katrak at Bhikha Behram Well on the eve of 22nd June, 2017. The evening commenced with a Jasan performed by Er. Nozer Tarachand and Er. Rukhshad Panthaki, followed by the speaker of the evening, Er. Darayesh Katrak, highlighting the important […]