Wine and alcohol have been used as medicine since ancient times, and some studies suggest that moderate wine consumption may have health benefits. Sir Winston Churchill was a devoted fan of champagne, and his favorites included Pol Roger and Moet et Chandon. He once famously said, “I cannot live without Champagne. In victory, I deserve […]
The Egyptian Rosetta Stone is one of the world’s best-known archaeological artifacts, viewed by millions of visitors annually at the British Museum. The Stone is a broken part of a bigger stone slab, with a carved message, inscribed in three types of lettering. It was an important clue that helped experts learn to read Egyptian […]
Often, I receive queries about whether it’s appropriate or not for a Zoroastrian to keep lucky charms, like ‘evil eye’ at home, in the car or at the office. For centuries, human beings have used lucky charms and talismans, hoping to draw fortune’s favour. In our opinion, events – good or bad, that happen in […]
Today, 14th September, 2024, is Roj Hormuzd of Mah Ardibehesht – literally and figuratively, the day dedicated to the Divine Creator and the Divine Order of the Created Universe. In the Avesta, Ardibehesht is referred to as Asha Vahishta. Asha is variously translated as Truth, Righteousness and Divine Order. Vahishta means ‘the Best’. Ardibehesht embodies Ahura Mazda’s Truth, Righteousness and the Divine Order, with which Ahura […]
Today, 7th September, 2024, is Ganesh Chaturthi, the day to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha, revered as the Ruler of the People (Sanskrit Gana means people and Isha means ruler or lord). This 10-day annual festival begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (6th month of the Hindu calendar). The […]
In philosophy, religion, and psychology, ‘good and evil’ is a common dichotomy. Elements that are commonly associated with evil include imbalanced human behaviour, selfishness, greed, ignorance and gross negligence. The principal study of good and evil (human morality) is based on ethics, of which there are three major branches – ‘Normative Ethics’ – concerning how […]
Recently, a Parsi Zoroastrian lady passed away in Mumbai and as per her wish and long-standing instructions to her family members, her mortal remains were donated to a medical college in Mumbai for medical research. In other words, the mortal remains were neither buried, nor cremated, nor consigned to the dokhma. There was a question […]
Pateti (the fifth and last Gatha day for repentance) and Navruz (New Year’s Day) as per the Shehenshahi calendar are over and Fravardin, the first month of the Zoroastrian calendar has commenced. It is appropriate that the first month of the calendar is dedicated to the Fravashi or Fravahar – the prototype of all creation. […]
They say that happiness is the most important emotion in our life. Nothing else feels as beautiful or wonderful as happiness. In fact, the very purpose of life should be the pursuit of happiness! In day-to-day life, happiness is the balance of emotions – experiencing more positive than negative feelings. It is about satisfaction and […]
According to the Shehenshahi calendar, the Holy Fravardegan or Muktad days will commence on 5th August and end on 14th August, 2024. The Parsi New Year this year will coincide with India’s Independence Day on 15th August, 2024. It will continue to coincide with this date for four years, after which it will move to 14th August, since we do not […]
Recently, I was in a discussion with a friend who felt we have so many factions within our miniscule community – there’s Shehenshahi, Kadmi and Fasli Zoroastrians. These mainly differ in terms of the Zoroastrian calendar and in some matters of religious rituals. Besides these three groups, there are observers of the Ilm-e-kshnoom way of […]