On 19th January, 2025, Mumbai city will witness the annual ‘Mumbai Marathon’, an event ongoing proudly since 2004. For endurance enthusiasts, these forty-two kilometres gruellingly, exhilarating, long-distance run is an indescribable moment and movement, described by many as a life-changing moment. The Mumbai Marathon is not just about running. It has an inclusive and robust […]
The holy month of Shehrevar will commence from 12th January 2025, as per the Zoroastrian Shehenshahi calendar and 14th January will be observed as Uttarayana or Makar Sankranti or ‘Kite-flying’ day, particularly in Gujarat. During this festival, people savour Undhiyu which is tasty mix of winter vegetables and Chikki made with sesame seeds, peanuts and […]
The Yalda, Christmas and New Year festivities are over and we are already into the first week of a brand-new year 2025. Astrologers and numerologists have made their forecasts, but for most of us, stars may impel but they don’t compel. We have the choice to view most life situations as either a boon or […]
The Iranshah Udwada Utsav 2024, commencing 27th December is a three-day fest aimed at promoting community bonding and a better understanding of our religion, history, culture and values, alongside showcasing and recognising talent. And all this is at Udwada, the spiritual hub of our community in India. The festival makes this otherwise quiet and sleepy […]
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 […]