Whenever calamities strike, some prophets of doom start to rejoice: “This was prophesied centuries ago,” they claim with glee, adding, “This must happen so that there will be a new world order and the great redeemer will redeem this earth.” I was discussing the recent conflict between Iran and Israel with a few friends and […]
Today, 20th April, 2024, is Roj Adar of Mah Adar. In other words, it is the Parab of Adar – the Divinity that presides over fire. Little wonder that Roj Adar of Mah Adar is the day when several Agyari and Atash Behram were consecrated and enthroned, including the Holiest of Holy, Iranshah! Consecration is an act or manner of making […]
The Holy month of Adar has commenced. Adar is the Divinity that presides over fire. A number of fire temples across India will celebrate their Salgreh (Anniversary) this month. The devout will flock to different Atash Behram and Agyari to offer gratitude and seek divine blessings! Recently, I was talking to a few friends who […]
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 […]
It is said that a large part of our sense of self, our identity and our success, lies in our connectedness with our roots. This connect with our roots is powerful enough to not just impact the course of our lives but also that of generations to come. As a community that had to flee […]
Today, Saturday 30th March, 2024, is the Saturday between Good Friday (when Jesus Christ was crucified) and Easter Sunday (when Jesus Christ was resurrected), more commonly known as ‘Holy Saturday’ or Easter Eve. Today is the last day of Lent and the last day of Holy Week – the week in which Christians prepare for Easter. ‘Holy Saturday’ commemorates the one full day that Jesus […]
Spring is already in the air and the festival of spring (Jamshedi Navroze) is once again here to remind us of warmth and change – warmth of heart and positive change in our lives. In the poem, ‘The Spring’, poet Thomas Carew contrasts the beauty and joy of spring with the pain of unreciprocated love. […]
Among Zoroastrians, Behram or Bahram Yazata is a favourite Divinity. The twentieth day (Roj) of every month (Mah) in the Zoroastrian calendar is dedicated to Bahram Yazata and this Roj is considered very special and auspicious. Many choose to begin a new task, implement a personal new resolution, or undertake a new project on this […]
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8th March, offers an annual opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, the […]
The Gatha, consist of seventeen hymns composed by Asho Zarathushtra. Thsey are arranged into five groups based on their meter: Ahunavaiti Gatha (Yasna 28 to Yasna 34) Ushtavaiti Gatha (Yasna 43 to Yasna 46) Spentamainyush Gatha (Yasna 47 to Yasna 50) Vohukhshathra Gatha (Yasna 51) Vahishtoishti Gatha (Yasna 53). The Gatha speak of the twin […]
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 […]