Today, 21st December, 2024, marks the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere. The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of the Earth’s poles reach their maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere of the globe. Today marks mid-winter as also the shortest day and […]
We are currently observing the month of Amardad as per the Zoroastrian Shahanshahi calendar. Amardad (Avesta Ameretat) represents Ahura Mazda’s quality of eternity. Amardad is also the seventh Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) presiding over vegetation. The Hamkara or co-workers of Amardad are Rashe, Ashtad and Zamyad. Rashne (Avesta Rashnu) is invoked as Raast or truthful, and along with Ashtad (Avesta Arshtat), […]
Swastika – The Bent Cross The swastika is India’s version of one of humanity’s most enduring, ancient symbols. The oldest known use of this symbol dates back to the end of the last Ice Age. A figurine carved with a recognizable armed plus sign dating to 10,000-13,000 BCE was found in Ukraine. How the ancient […]
The Cross Necropolis of Iran is Naqsh-e-Rustam. Another local name by which Naqsh-e-Rustam is known is ‘Salib’ (Arabic for cross). This ancient historical site in Fars province, Southern Iran, features four tombs of Achaemenid kings. The rock-cut tombs (Astodan), hewn into a cliff face, are believed to belong to Darius the Great and his successors, […]
Parsis in India are currently celebrating the month of Tir and on Monday 25th November, 2024, Roj Tir will coincides with Mah Tir as per the Shahenshahi calendar, marking the Parab or festival of Tirgan, one of the three most widely celebrated seasonal festivals of ancient Iran. Tirgan is an ancient Iranian seasonal festival, alongside Navruz (spring), Yalda (winter) and Mehergan (autumn). Unfortunately, with both […]
(Parsi Times presents the concluding, second part of the series on the life of our beloved Prophet Asho Zarathushtra, by Noshir Dadrawala, providing a more insightful understanding about His teachings and message for humanity.) Zarathushtra’s teachings are essentially embodied in the Five Gatha – which form seventeen of the seventy-two chapters of the Yasna – […]
(Parsi Times presents a 2-part series by Noshir Dadrawala on the life of our beloved Prophet Asho Zarathushtra, providing a more insightful understanding about His teachings and message for humanity.) Recently, I received a request from a Parsi Times reader to briefly narrate the story of Zarathushtra, summarizing His teachings, that she could share with […]
Adoption is not legal among Parsis in India. If a Parsi individual desires to adopt a child, the latter would not legally be considered ‘as if born to’ the adoptive individual or couple. Though the 2006 amendment of the Juvenile Justice Act 2000, now defines ‘Adoption’ under section 2(aa) to mean, “the process through which […]
Diwali is the five-day festival of light, celebrated by millions worldwide. The festival coincides with the Hindu New Year and thus also celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali also commemorates Lakshmi, the Divinity of wealth and prosperity. In fact, the 5-day festivity begins with Dhanteras (the day of good […]
19th October, 2024, (today) is Roj Khordad of Mah Khorda, marking the Parab of Khordad, which ushers in blessings of purity and perfection or wholeness/completeness in our lives. We are trained to strive for perfection since our childhood. Striving towards perfection has its merits. Improving our skills for example is beneficial. However, the pursuit of […]
Today, 12th October 2024 is Dussehra, which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festivities include burning effigies of the ten-headed demon king – Ravana every year, with hundreds collecting the still-smoldering remnants of the burnt effigy, believing this souvenir will protect them from various evils and misfortune. Though Ravana was very knowledgeable and […]