During the holy month of Dae, we perform Jashan ceremonies by way of thanks-giving at home, at the workplace as also at various community centers and places of worship. Since Dae is dedicated to Ahura Mazda – the Supreme Divinity and Creator, it is considered particularly meritorious to perform Jashan as a ritual form of […]
In recent times, we have unfortunately reduced Gahambar to a travesty. In not-so-distant history, we have been witness to so-called Gahambars hosted by individuals who had aspired to become Trustees of certain community institutions or by those who won the elections. There is also a variety known as the ‘fee no Gahambar,’ which is a […]
Today (13th May, 2023) is Roj Hormuzd of the Holy Month of Dae. Both, today’s Roj (day) and Mah (month) is dedicated to the Supreme Divinity (Ahura Mazda), and therefore considered one of the most auspicious days in the Zoroastrian calendar. The term Ahura Mazda is usually translated as Ahura (Lord) and Mazda (Wisdom). However, […]
Are Zoroastrians Fire-Worshippers? Is Fire the Son of Ahura Mazda? Query From Parsi Times reader, Adar Balsara: “My non-Parsi friends often say that Parsis are fire-worshippers and so my query is whether fire is simply a symbol of our religion or do we worship fire? My parents tell me that when praying the Atash Niyaesh […]
Observing The Five Gehs Query From Parsi Times reader, Adi Zaveri: After change of each of the five Gehs, for how many minutes should one wait before commencing prayers for the next Geh? Noshir Dadrawala responds: When praying during the day-time, one may allow about ten minutes to elapse after the change of […]
Organ Donation And Zoroastrianism Query From Parsi Times reader, Yasmin Patel: “I’ve been reading the Religious Questions column in Parsi Times with great interest and feel emboldened to ask whether our Zoroastrian scriptures permit or forbid organ donations. I was told that organ donation is strictly forbidden and in fact it is part of our […]
Euthanasia And Zoroastrianism Query From Parsi Times reader, Zarine Modi: “Does the Zoroastrian religion permit or support euthanasia? Can one leave written instructions for family and friends to follow, in case of painful terminal medical conditions?” Noshir Dadrawala Responds: The term ‘euthanasia’ is derived from the Greek word eu thanatos which means good death. Historian […]
10th April, 2023 (Roj-Jamyad, Mah-Ava) marks the 192nd birth anniversary of one of the most popularly worshipped and pious Zoroastrian saints – Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru Saheb – who was known to possess spiritual powers/potency known as ‘Amal’, which empowered him to perform extraordinary feats, which we know as ‘miracles’. Even today, many of the […]
Significance Of The Nowruz Table Query From Parsi Times reader, Abraham Mansouri from Iran: “I am an Iranian and interested to know the relation of Nowruz with Zoroastrianism and welcoming of Faravashis in the last days of year. Is the haft sin table spread for Faravashi and welcoming and receiving their blessings? What […]
Why Do Zoroastrian Families Go Vegetarian For Three Days After Death? Noshir Dadrawala, scholar in Zoroastrian religion and culture, responds to queries sent in by readers seeking answers to various religious and cultural queries Query From Parsi Times reader, Hutokshi Driver: “When there is death in a Zoroastrian family, why do family members abstain […]
Query From Parsi Times reader, Bakhtawar Appoo: “Is there a cycle of re-birth in our religion and does a soul choose his/her parents at the time of birth?” Noshir Dadrawala responds: The Zoroastrian religion, in its most pristine form, focuses on this life and not so much on the after-life. What is important is […]