The consecration (Prana pratishtha) ceremony, conducted on 22nd January, 2024, of the Ram Lalla (infant form of Lord Ram) Murti (idol) in Ayodhya, received tremendous attention worldwide. This ceremony reminded many of us of how our sacred Agyari and Atash Bahram fire, and the building housing the sacred fire, are also consecrated – first physically […]
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 […]
January 13, 2024, is Roj Hormuzd of Mah Sheherevar, as per the Shehenshahi calendar. Shehrevar (Avestan Khshathra Vairya) is the sixth month of the Zoroastrian calendar and represents Ahura Mazda’s strength, power and ‘desirable dominion’. Shehrevar uses these qualities righteously to usher peace and Ahura Mazda’s ‘desirable dominion’ in this world. To invoke Shehrevar is to aspire for qualities of good […]
Recently a young reader of Parsi Times asked me some interesting questions: “How come we observe a Hindu ‘Ram’ Roj in our Zoroastrian calendar? Why don’t we name our children as Ram? Why do we abstain from consuming gosh (meat) on Gosh Roj?” Mino Ram The twenty-first day in the Zoroastrian calendar is not dedicated […]
We stand ready to welcome the New Year 2024! But on what note shall be welcome it? Should we welcome it with a sense of entitlement to only get and to give back nothing? Should we usher 2024 with thoughts of entitlement or thoughts of gratitude? We clearly have a choice. However, will we exercise […]
We stand ready to welcome the New Year 2024! But on what note shall be welcome it? Should we welcome it with a sense of entitlement to only get and to give back nothing? Should we usher 2024 with thoughts of entitlement or thoughts of gratitude? We clearly have a choice. However, will we exercise […]
Zoroastrian scholar, author, columnist and Programme Director, Legal & CSR Compliance at the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, Noshir Dadrawala, represented the Zoroastrian community at the Bombay Archdiocesan inter-religious Christmas celebrations, which were held on 17th December, 2023. The occasion was graced by His Eminence – Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, who inaugurated the […]
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 […]
According to Firdausi’s Shahnameh, during the prehistoric Peshdadian times (i.e., even before the advent of Asho Zarathushtra) Iranian society was divided into four classes or professions – Arthravan or Priest, Ratheshtar or warrior, Vastriyosh or farmer and Hutaos or artisan. This was similar to the ancient Vedic Varna system of Brahmin (priest, teacher, intellectual), Kshatriya […]
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 […]
26th November, 2023, marks Roj Tir of Mah Tir, or the Parab of Tir, as per the Shahanshahi calendar. This auspicious day is observed as the feast of Tirgan. Since the Shahanshahi calendar is not intercalated, this festival of rain now falls during autumn. Regardless, it is a very special occasion to offer thanks to […]