This year, the pre-spring festival of Vasant Panchami coincides with Valentine’s Day on 14th February, 2024. Vasant (meaning spring) Panchami (meaning fifth or the festival falling on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha), is considered an auspicious day to begin any new venture. In like manner, Zoroastrians, especially in Iran celebrated Jashn-e-Sadeh on 30th January, 2024, fifty days […]
Tag: Ahura Mazda
The Nature of Divinity
Zoroastrians worship Ahura Mazda. But, what does the term ‘Ahura Mazda’ mean? Most scholars agree that Ahura Mazda is the Lord of Wisdom – a title or quality based on the interpretation of the Avesta term, ‘Ahu-Ra’, which means ‘existing one’ or simply ‘existence’ or (source of) ‘life.’ Since ‘Ahura’ is the very source of […]
Let’s Go Green This Month Of Amardad!
We are currently observing the month of Amardad as per the Shahanshahi calendar. Amardad (Avesta Ameretat) represents Ahura Mazda’s quality of eternity. Amardad is also the seventh Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) presiding over vegetation. Green vegetation and freshness go hand in hand. There is an expression in the English language about ‘keeping the memory (especially […]
The Zoroastrian Way Of Life And Living
A few days ago I got into a discussion with a friend who asked me a simple yet very profound question. The question was pertaining to the Zoroastrian way of life and living and whether it is any different from what persons of other faiths and beliefs follow. I responded briefly and assured him that […]
Khordad – In Pursuit Of Excellence!
15th October, 2023, (tomorrow), marks the first day (Roj Hormuzd) of the holy month of Khordad. The third month of the Zoroastrian calendar, Khordad ushers blessings of purity and perfection. Khordad or Avestan Haurvataat is an Amesha Spenta presiding over the purifying waters; it also embodies the quality of excellence and wholesomeness. Khordaad and Ameredaad (Avestan Haurvataat and Ameretaat) are twin concepts representing the goal […]
Celebrate Divine Order
Sunday, 17th September, 2023, will be observed as the Parab of Ardibehesht. Ardibehesht – the second month of the Zoroastrian calendar – celebrates Divine Truth, Righteous or Divine Order and Healing. Ardibehesht is an Amshaspand (Archangel) or Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) that presides over the energy of fire. Adar Yazad is a Hamkara or helper of Ardibehesht. This is why many fire temples were consecrated in this […]
Commemorating The Lives Of Our Dearly Departed
Fravardin, the first month of the Zoroastrian calendar is aptly dedicated to the Fravashi or Farohar, which is the prototype of all creation. 3rd September, 2023 marks the Parab (when the Roj and Mah coincide) of Fravardin. Parab of Fravardin: Roj Fravardin of Mah Fravardin marks the day when devout Zoroastrians head for the Dokhma or Aramgah, to offer prayers to the Fravashi of their dearly departed. One could […]
Essence Of Being Zoroastrian
The essence of being a Zoroastrian is to live life to the fullest and celebrate life, every single day. Although not a practising Zoroastrian, Eleanor Roosevelt (U.S. First Lady, Diplomat and Human Rights Activist) came closest to this truth when she said: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, […]
Asho Zarathushtra – The First Great Philosopher
Around 1500 to 2000 BCE, somewhere in the north-eastern region of Iran, was born a Divine Child. He was a unique child – he smiled the moment he was born! All the good creations of Dadar Ahura Mazda rejoiced exclaiming, “Fortunate are we that the Teacher is born, Spitman Zarathushtra!” At the same time, the […]
Recreating Paradise On Earth
Almost every religious tradition observes a day or days for remembering their near and dear departed ones. They say grief is the last act of love we offer to those we loved, and that remembering them is akin to breathing life into their fading presence from our life. Most human beings by nature are ritualistic […]
In Harmony With The Spirit Of Mother Earth!
As per the Zoroastrian Shahenshahi calendar we are now observing the twelfth and last month of the year namely Aspandarmad / Spendarmad. In fact, tomorrow (Sunday, 16th July 2023) marks the Parab of Aspandarmad (Roj Aspandarmad, Mah Aspandarmad). Since this holy month is dedicated to Spenta Armaity – the Divinity that presides over Mother Earth, […]