Jamshedi Navroz is the Parsi New Year. It usually falls on 21st March.
Parsi New Year was named after the legendary King of Persia, Jamshed who
started the Parsi Calendar. As per the Parsi mythology, universe is
recreated on this day and life with all its glory is cherished. Navroz
means spring and is believed Mother Nature casts her spell by dressing
up like a young bride. Thus, Navroz gives a new vision to everyone's
life. Parsis celebrate the day with jollity and mirth.
Parsi New Year Traditions
Jamshedi Navroz is the time to be with the near and dear ones and pay
respect to the elders of the family. On this day, people get up early in
the morning, clean their house, take bath and dress up in new clothes.
They decorate the entrance of their houses with colored powders, light
incense sticks and place a burning coal scuttle sprinkled with
sandalwood powder. This is done to keep the air clean and fresh. There
is also a tradition of offer food to the poor on this day.
Parsis lay down certain auspicious items on the table on the day of New
Year. It includes a sacred book, a picture of Zarathustra, mirror,
candles, incense burner, fruits, flowers, a goldfish bowl, sugar, bread
and some coins. These things symbolize prosperity and longevity for the
family members.
Parsi New Year Celebrations
Parsi delicacies play a very important role in the New Year
celebrations. A sweet Ravo (made from sugar, milk and suji) and
vermicelli are the best breakfast for Navroz. After breakfast, whole
family visits a nearby Fire Temple or Agiary. Priests perform a thanks
giving prayer in the temple called
Jashan and the congregation
offers sandalwood to the Holy Fire with covered heads. They wish each
other
'Sal Mubarak'.
Parsi Navroz lunch consists of pulav (with nuts and saffron), fish and
other spicy non-vegetarian food. Cooking plain rice and moong dal is a
must in Parsi community. Every visitor to the house is welcomed with
sprinkle of rose water and offering faluda (rose flavored chilled
vermicelli).
New Year Celebrations ends on the 13th day from the New Year's day. It
is known as
'Sizdah be dar'. It is the custom of leaving the
house for public celebrations. These celebrations are done by visiting
out with friends and family members. On this day, people throw their
sabzeh (seeds grown at Navroz) into a river. Some unmarried
girls tie sprouts of sabzeh and wish for good fortune and love in life
while some crack jokes calling it the
thirteenth lie(same as
April's fool).
