Today, 14th September, 2024, is Roj Hormuzd of Mah Ardibehesht – literally and figuratively, the day dedicated to the Divine Creator and the Divine Order of the Created Universe. In the Avesta, Ardibehesht is referred to as Asha Vahishta. Asha is variously translated as Truth, Righteousness and Divine Order. Vahishta means ‘the Best’. Ardibehesht embodies Ahura Mazda’s Truth, Righteousness and the Divine Order, with which Ahura […]
Over two thousand five hundred years ago, the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.” Indeed, everything changes with time, and change is the only constant. The world we live in is fast changing and there is great pressure on the community to move with the times. But, change, especially within an […]
All that we know today about Asho Zarathushtra – be it as a Divine Messenger (Paigambar), an original thinker and philosopher, an accomplished astronomer, or as a mystic poet – appears to be based on oral tradition and folklore. What was finally committed to writing about his life was centuries after his birth, during the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Er. Adil J. Govadia Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta (HHH), the three Avestan words, encapsulate the ethical code of Zoroastrianism – these are considered a moral extension of a Mobed’s (priest) threefold professional deportment, required to perform his hallowed duty of worship efficiently with right intentions (thoughts), right pronunciations (words) and precise conduct of rituals (deeds) (Ref. ‘Zoroastrians, Their Religious […]
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, […]
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, […]
On 9th June, 2019 (Roj Asman, Mah Dae), the Dae Mah Jashan was performed and celebrated at the ‘Asha Vahishta’ Zoroastrian Centre Dadgah in Pune at 11:30 am. A Humbandagi followed the Jashan which was performed by four priests, after which the gathering partook the chasni, fruits and light refreshments in the open compound. The […]
Pune’s Asha Vahishta Dadgah celebrated Jamshedi Navroze on 21st March, 2019 with great religious fervor, and a packed venue, with extra seating arrangements made for the overflowing crowd. A thanksgiving Jashan was performed by the priests at 10:00am, followed by a contributory Maachi. A ‘Haft-seen’ Navroze table – replete with fruits, mewa, Iranian gaz, and other […]
With respect to everyone’s beliefs, and with the main aim of shedding light on this topic, I share my knowledge and my beliefs on the concept of Organ Donation in order to provide clarity by doing away with any misinformation that may lead our Zarthostis to form opinions based on well-intentioned myths or worse, baseless […]