I first visited Iran in 1995. On that memorable trip, I met for the first time a visionary and inspirational retired banker – Coovershah Mehta, with whom I instantly bonded and have since remained inseparably close friends, despite his age being much older than mine. Over the years, along with a few other dedicated volunteers, […]
Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions across the world. 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. The five days of festivity begin with […]
They say, to live in the hearts of those we love, is never to die. This is the true Zoroastrian essence of the Avesta term Ameretat or Amardad, meaning immortality. The endeavour of human life should be Hauratat or Khordad, which means to live a wholesome life on the path of excellence and let our […]
Fresh water well is mandatory at every Agiary or Atash Bahram. One cannot think of a Parsi Zoroastrian fire temple anywhere in India without fresh water well within the temple compound/complex. Even otherwise, the community considers fresh water well as sacred. In Mumbai, the Bhikha Behram well, for example, is considered sacred and devotees pray […]
Parsi and Irani Zoroastrians are ethnically of Persian (Iranian) origin. Parsis who came to India about 300 years after the fall of the Sasanian Empire (around 10th Century AD) trace their ancestry back to the province of Khorasan, known in ancient times as Parthia. While Parsis appear to have moved to India, our Irani Zoroastrians […]
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 […]
The narrow plain of Yezd or Yazd is surrounded by mountains and deserts. The climate is harsh with extremely dry and hot summers and searingly cold winters. Since the rainfall is scanty, the plain is partly desert — in some places glittering white with salt, in others, covered by shifting, engulfing sands. Kerman and Fars […]
Since ancient times, human beings have used bells for religious and ceremonial purposes. The earliest unearthed bells are pottery bells from Neolithic China. Bells were also used in ancient Assyria, Babylon, Iran, India, Greece, and Egypt. In many cultures and religions, bells are used during prayers and rituals to cleanse and purify the environment and […]
The Poona Kadmi and Sehensai Dar-e-meher, popularly known as ‘Komda ni Agiary’, celebrated it auspicious 130th salgreh, on 17th September, 2023. A Jashan, on behalf of the trustees, was performed in the morning, followed by an evening Machi, and an insightful talk by the community’s leading authority on Zoroastrianism – Noshir Dadrawala, titled ‘Divine Truth […]
The autumn equinox occurs between 21st to 24th September. This year it will occur today (September 23, 2023) at 12:19 pm IST., marking the onset of Autumn in the Northern hemisphere and the onset of Spring in the Southern hemisphere. In the Northern hemisphere, we celebrate the Spring equinox with much gusto (as Jamshedi Navroze) […]
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 […]