Importance of Parsi new year: Navroz 2018

The Parsi community across India is all set to celebrate their new year today. It is also known as Navroz, it is the festival that marks the beginning of the Iranian calendar and is observed as a holy occasion for the community. It is also a day of remittance of sins and repentance and visit Fire temples to start afresh in all aspects of life. This year, it’s on August 17.

Importance of the Parsi New Year

The Parsi community follows Zoroastrianism which was invented by Prophet Zarathustra in ancient Iran almost 3,500 years ago. The Parsi community had migrated to India with the intention to escape from oppression following the Muslim conquest of Persia.

Parsi calendar was started by the Persian king Jamshed and Zoroastrians in India celebrate this day as Jamshed-i-Nouroz.

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Celebration of the Parsi New Year

During the celebration, Parsis wear new clothes, visit relatives (particularly the elders to take their blessings) and neighbours to exchange greetings and goodwill. Many families also make donations for various charitable purposes at this time.

Parsis make rangolis outside their homes during the celebrations. An important tradition practiced during the occasion is the gathering around ‘the Table’. A table or a common room is decorated with objects that symbolize purity, brightness, livelihood and wealth. A lavish feast is cooked to enjoy a special meal with loved ones.

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