Parsi New Year 2023: Date, History, and Significance
The Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz or Nowruz, is a joyous occasion celebrated between July and August. This year, Parsi New Year is marked on August 16. Rooted in the Persian words ‘Nav’ and ‘Roz’, which mean ‘new day’, this cherished festival has a rich history spanning over 3,000 years.
Origin of Parsi New Year
While the global celebration of Navroz aligns with the Spring Equinox on March 21, the Parsi community in India follows the Shahenshahi calendar. This unique calendar doesn’t consider leap years, resulting in a shift of celebration by 200 days from the original date.
History and Cultural Significance
The festival’s roots are linked to Zoroastrianism, which is among the world’s oldest beliefs in one god. It started more than 3,500 years ago in ancient Iran when a wise person named Prophet Zarathustra shared this faith. The happiness of Zoroastrianism lasted until 1,400 years ago when a religion called Islam started spreading in the 7th century. Because of this change, many Zoroastrians left their homes in Iran and went to India and Pakistan. In these new places, a group called Parsis formed and found safety.
The celebration’s origin story harks back to the legendary king Jamshed, who saved the world from a catastrophic winter that threatened annihilation.
Celebration of Parsi New Year
The largest Parsi community in India belongs to the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, making Parsis the largest single group in India. On this day, people pray for good health and prosperity, spending their day cleaning their homes and adorning them with flowers and rangolis. They don traditional attire and visit the fire temple, also known as the ‘Agiary’, where they offer milk, flowers, fruits, and sandalwood to the sacred fire.
The festivities revolve around the Four Fs – fire, fragrance, food, and friendship. The occasion involves indulging in delectable Parsi cuisine, seeking forgiveness for the past year’s transgressions, mental purification, and embarking on the new year with love and harmony.
Parsis cook delicacies like Prawn Patio, Mori Dar, Patra Ni Macchi, Haleem, Akoori, Sali Boti, Saffron Pulao, and Falooda for a full feast. Parsis make their tables special by decorating them or putting different things like a sacred book, a mirror, nice-smelling sticks, fruits, pretty flowers, shiny coins, candles, a bowl with a goldfish, and a picture of Zarathustra.
