Ayathrem (literally: bring home the herds) Gahambar celebrates getting ready for winter. It is considered a religious duty to participate in a communal jashan prayer ceremony; as well as, fraternize and share a simple meal with fellow co-religionists from all walks of life, rich and poor. More Information
Jashan-e Abangan is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Avan day of Avan month, in honor of Abangan or Avan, a Pehlavi name derived from the ancient Avestan term “Ardvi Sura”. Avan means Water. Water, a life-giving element for all creation in our world, is highly revered by Zoroastrians, and we consider it our […]
Jashan-e Adargan is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Adar day of Adar month, in honor of Adar or Atarsh, a Pehlavi name derived from the ancient Avestan term “Athro”. Adar means Fire, which being a life-giving element for all creation in our world, is highly revered by Zoroastrians. Fire represents the Highest Righteousness […]
Yalda is a winter solstice celebration. Friends and family gather on this longest and darkest night of the year to eat and celebrate late into the night, around a fire which burns all night long. Red colored fruits like pomegranates and watermelons consumed. The red color in these fruits is symbolic of the light of […]
Maidyarem (literally: Winter) Gahambar is a seasonal feast celebrated on the winter solstice. It is considered a religious duty to participate in a communal jashan prayer ceremony; as well as, fraternize and share a simple meal with fellow co-religionists from all walks of life, rich and poor. More Information
This festival (Jashan) is dedicated to the Amesha Spenta Vohimena (the Good Mind) and celebrates the creation of animals. A glass of milk is used to represent Vohuman in prayers. BAHMAN (1) – Encyclopaedia Iranica (iranicaonline.org)
Sadeh is a mid-winter celebration observed by preparing a large community bonfire. The bonfire symbolizes the victory of light over forces of cold and darkness. More Information
Jashan-e Spandarmad is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Spandarmad day of Spandarmad month, in honor of Spandarmad, a Pehlavi name derived from the ancient Avestan term ‘Spenta Armaiti’ from the Gathas of Zarathushtra. Aramaiti means "tranquility, stability and serenity." It is peace and prosperity. When used with the adjective spenta, it means the […]
Commemoration and remembrance of all departed souls. Homes and temples are thoroughly cleaned; for it is believed that the souls of departed loved ones (fravashis) visit the physical world during this time, to bless and protect the living. More Information
The arrival of spring is celebrated by the coming together of family in new clothes. Weeks before Nowruz, homes are given a spring cleaning and festive foods are prepared. Also, the Sofreh-e-Haft Seen table is set up. (what follows is included in the detailed description) The Seen table is laid out with seven foods each […]
"Is there any rule that one should follow all of one's life? Yes! The rule of the gentle goodness: That which we do not wish to be done to us, we do not do to others."
- Analectas 15:23
Confucianism
