Sunday, 5th April, 2026 is ‘Easter’ or ‘Resurrection Sunday’, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day of his burial, after his crucifixion by the Romans, at Calvary in 30 AD. The traditional narrative of the Resurrection provides hope and strength, encouraging individuals to rise above adversity and live in a […]
The Akshaya Patra Foundation was felicitated on the completion of twenty-five years of service and reaching the milestone of having offered five billion meals to the needy, on 17th March, 2026, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, in the presence President Droupadi Murmu, who personally served meals to children, making it an inspiring moment of […]
A Parsi Times reader recently asked whether the Vendidad is a philosophical poem like the Gatha or prose enshrining an ancient ‘Zoroastrian Penal Code?’ He also wanted to know if it was simply a textual commentary or a sacred religious ritual? Finally, he was curious about why it is performed after midnight and considered as […]
Geopolitics of conflict involves struggles between nations over geographic territory, natural resources like oil and mineral wealth and strategic influence. Driven by political, economic and ideological motives, these disputes lead to resource competition, territorial disputes and economic fragmentation, profoundly impacting global security and trade. The world that we live in today is torn by conflict. In fact, we […]
Today, 21st February, 2026, is Roj Khurshed (a day dedicated to the Divinity presiding over the Sun) and Mah Meher (month dedicated to the Divinity presiding over the purifying rays of the sun). As per Zoroastrian tradition, Khurshed and Meher are Divine entities whose Nyaish (litany) are prayed together, symbolizing the inseparable nature of sunlight and its source […]
14th February, 2026, is Valentine’s Day! Across the world, this day celebrates love and friendship. However, few know that it originated as a Christian religious feast to honour a martyr named Saint Valentine. According to legend, saint Valentine performed weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Roman emperor Claudius II. Later, during […]
A young reader of Parsi Times recently expressed concern as to why a woman in her menses is considered ‘unclean’ and is required to abstain from visiting places of religious worship? She wondered whether this was another custom our Parsi forebears adopted in India, and whether it reflected gender discrimination within the community. To begin […]
In this New year 2026 let us strive to be sensitive to the fact that everything and everyone is linked in a vast web of relationships – biologically, chemically, socially and spiritually – where actions have ripple effects, forming a complex, interdependent system of shared existence and responsibility rather than isolation. Let this fundamental truth […]
This year was challenging for many. The world experienced multiple natural and man-made disasters including earthquakes, floods, draught, wildfires, tsunamis, wars and catastrophic accidents. As any other year, 2025 too has been a reminder about the fragility of human life on this planet. However, the brand-new year 2026 is just a few days away, offering […]
21st December will be observed by Zoroastrians as Yalda and soon after, follows Christmas. Yalda is the longest night of the year in the Northern hemisphere and marks the winter solstice. This festival was formally included in the ancient Iranian calendar since at least 502 BCE under the reign of Darius the Great. Many of […]
According to the Shehenshahi Zoroastrian calendar, today is Roj Hormazd of Mah Amardad. Avesta Ameretat or Amardad is the seventh Amesha Spenta – Divine Essence of Ahura Mazda. In the Zoroastrian tradition, each Amesha Spenta has guardianship over a Good Creation of Ahura Mazda, thus representing the presence of the creator in every creation. Ameretat […]