Equal enthusiasm is seen in the festivals of every community in India, a country of various festivals, festivals, and fairs. Whether it is a festival of Hindus or Muslims or Christians, even the festivals of the Parsi community in India are also seen. Today the famous festival of the Parsi community is Navroz i.e. New Year.
For the Parsi community, New Year Navroz is a confluence of faith and enthusiasm. Navroz is such a festival that the Parsi community waits throughout the year because on this day all the family members gather together and celebrate this festival with full enthusiasm.
Three thousand years ago, the day Shah Jamshed assumed the throne in Iran was called the new day or Navroz. This day was considered to be the first day of the new year of the Zarathustra descendants. This festival is celebrated with equal fervor in many parts of the world like Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tajikistan, etc. In India too, this day is considered to be the new day of the Parsis.
Parsi people celebrate Navroz in the memory of King Jamshed of Persia who founded the Zoroastrian calendar. Parsi people believe that the whole universe was created on this day. Parsi people make special dishes on New Year’s Day. In this sweet Rava, vermicelli, pulao, fish, and other dishes are made. On this day the guests coming home were welcomed by sprinkling rose water.
According to Parsi tradition, people keep some holy things on the table on this day. These include pictures of Zarathustra, candles, mirrors, incense sticks, fruits, flowers, sugar, coins, etc. It is believed that this increases the life and prosperity of the family members.
Parsi families go to their places of worship on the day of Navroz. On this day, in places of worship, priests offer a thanksgiving prayer called Jashn. On this day people offer sandalwood sticks to the holy fire. After the prayer, the Parsi people say Sal Mubarak to each other.
The Parsi community in India is a very small community in terms of population but it is keeping its traditions alive even today through its festivals like Navroz. In India, where people of every religion and caste are given equal place and respect, this festival of the Parsi community is also seen.
In fact, in the seventh century, when the campaign of conversion started in Iran, many Parsis converted their religion, but many Parsis who did not accept this conversion left Iran and came to India. And on this earth, he started saving his sanskaras and values.
The people of the Parsi community settled in India and Pakistan celebrate the new year in the month of August after 200 days of the Parsis settled in other countries of the world. Most of the Parsi community in India is settled in Gujarat and Maharashtra, due to which this festival is celebrated with loud noise there.
New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Parsi community. In Zoroastrianism, it is known as Khordad Sal. In Parsis, 1 year is of 360 days and the remaining 5 days are kept in the form of Gatha to remember their ancestors. It is celebrated just 5 days before the end of the year.