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 […]
Death anniversay of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is a day of special prayers, with lectures and discussions held on the life and works of the prophet. There is no mourning in the Zoroastrian religion, only remembrance and prayers for Farohars (souls) of the departed. More Information
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 […]
Jashan-e Fravardegan is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Fravardin day of Fravardin month, in honor of fravashis, the souls of all the righteous people who have ever lived in our world. In Zoroastrianism, we have special prayers dedicated to honoring and remembering with respect and love the souls of our beloved departed as […]
Jashan-e Ardavahisht is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Ardibehest day of Ardibehest month, in honor of Ardavahisht or Ardibehest, a Pehlavi name derived from the ancient Avestan term “Asha Vahishta” from the Gathas of Zarathushtra. Asha stands for "truth, order, righteousness." Vahishta means ‘the Best’ or ‘the Highest’. So, Asha Vahishta is the […]
"Everything you should do you will find in this: Do nothing to others that would hurt you if it were done to you."
- Mahabharata 5:1517
Hinduism
