All that we know today about Asho Zarathushtra – be it as a Divine Messenger (Paigambar), an original thinker and philosopher, an accomplished astronomer, or as a mystic poet – appears to be based on oral tradition and folklore. What was finally committed to writing about his life was centuries after his birth, during the […]
In the pantheon of Zoroastrian Divinities, Bahman Ameshaspand (Avesta Vohu Mana) ranks next to Ahura Mazda. Bahman, an Amshaspand or Amesha Spenta (translated as Bountiful Immortal or Arch Angel), is doctrinally regarded as guardian of one of Ahura Mazda’s good creations, namely Animals – particularly Goshpand like cow, goat, sheep etc. This is why devout […]
After the invasion of Alexander and the fall of the mighty Achaemenian Empire, the Zoroastrian religion had a setback. The Greeks tried hard to Hellenize Iran and impose their beliefs and culture on the Iranian people. To some extent, they succeeded. However, some provinces like Pars continued to offer stiff resistance. Soon followed the rise […]
Recently, I had the opportunity to address the 22nd Batch of young men undergoing the Behdin Passban training, under the aegis of the Athornan Foundation. Behdin Pasbans are our silently dedicated set of behdins who undergo religious training which enables them to augment our Yozdathregar Mobedjis in pasbani and nigehbani of our Pak Agiaries, Dadgahs […]
The spring festival of Holi is observed on the full moon day of the month of Falgun. This year (2024), the festival will be celebrated on Monday, 25th March. The eve of Holi, known as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, will be observed on 24th March by lighting huge bonfires. Falgun is the last month […]
One is often confronted with the question – Who is a Parsi, and how and where was this term coined? What is one of the oldest references to this term? What is the legal definition of Parsi in India? Does Parsi include an Irani Zoroastrian? In this article, we answer some of these questions, mainly […]
. Tir, or Testar (Avestan Tishtrya), is the divinity presiding over the Star Sirius (Greek Seirios which means glowing or scorching) or the Dog Star which is the brightest star visible from all parts of the earth in the night sky. Sirius is colloquially called the ‘Dog Star’, on account of its prominence in the constellation […]