As the new year unfolds, the Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (ZAPANJ) has begun sharing vibrant glimpses of its community initiatives, highlighting how traditions continue to thrive among younger generations. Recent activities at its February Religious Class offered meaningful insights into cultural continuity and collective participation. One of the highlights was the creation […]
The Parsi community of Secunderabad and Hyderabad marked Jamshedi Navroz and Ava Yazad Parab with vibrant celebrations on 21st and 22nd March, 2026, reflecting a blend of tradition, devotion and community bonding across the twin cities. The celebrations began with a Jashan at the Khan Bahadur Edulji Sohrabji Chenai Anjuman Dar-e-Meher at 9:30 am, followed […]
The annual grand celebration of the auspicious Ava Yazad Parabh (Avan Mah Avan Roj) was organized at the Bombay Presidency Radio Club, on 22nd March, 2026, by the Ava Yazad Organising Committee spearheaded by Kersi Limathwalla, under the auspices of the M J Wadia Fire Temple Trust. Themed ‘Continuity or Change – the Eternal Dilemma’, […]
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 […]
Community members in Surat gathered in large numbers on 28thJanuary, 2026, to celebrate the salgreh of the revered Bagh-e-ParsaAdarian Saheb, established in 1896. The sacred premises welcomed devotees for morning prayers, creating an atmosphere of faith and community bonding. High Priest Vada Dastoorji Cyrus Dastoorji led a solemn Jashan ceremony in the morning, attended by […]
Er. Meherzad Zubin Garda was ordained Martab on 5th February, 2026, at Sethna Agiary, in loving memory of his grandmother, Osti Zarin Parvez Garda. The ceremony was performed under the able guidance of Er. Khushravi Palia and Er. Hoshedar Panthaky. Er. Meherzad is the son of Late Zubin Parvez Garda and Farida Zubin Garda, and the grandson of […]
The M F Cama Athornan Institute commemorated the 27thanniversary of its sacred Dadgah Saheb on 31stJanuary, 2026, drawing devotees from across the community for a spiritually uplifting evening. The programme commenced with a Jashan ceremony at 4:30 pm in the Dadgah hall, followed by a Humbandagi recited by the priests and attendees, creating an atmosphere […]
If ye will only know and learn these Laws, Which Mazda hath ordained for ye, O men, The Laws of happiness, the Laws of pain, That falsehood hinders progress, That Truth leads on to a fuller higher life, Upon all such the Light Divine shall dawn. (Yasna 30:11) According to Zoroastrian theology, death involves the […]
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 […]
As the sacred days of Muktad approach, culminating in Navroze on 15th August, few embody the spirit of this deeply spiritual observance like Ervad Zarrir Bhandara. With over five decades of dedicated service, his journey reflects not just personal devotion but a powerful preservation of Zoroastrian ritual and legacy. In this heartfelt conversation with Parsi […]
Dear Readers, In a couple of days, we will enter the most sacred and spiritually profound phase of the Zoroastrian calendar – a time when faith, remembrance and renewal come together. Across the community, hearts and homes begin preparing for the ten holy days of Muktad, leading into the revered Gatha days and culminating into […]