Vendidad – The Law Against Forces of Evil

Vendidad – The Law Against Forces of Evil

Among ancient Zoroastrian sacred texts, the Vendidad is probably the most significant – both historically and liturgically, and yet, it is condemned as an outdated ‘Zoroastrian Penal Code’ and the work of babbling Magi priests obsessed with imaginary demons and magic. Interestingly, the very word ‘magic’ is derived from the Magi, a clan of priests…

કદમી અથવા પ્રાચીન નવું વર્ષ

કદમી અથવા પ્રાચીન નવું વર્ષ

પારસી ટાઈમ્સ તેના બધા વાંચકોને નવા વર્ષની હૃદયપૂર્વક સાલ મુબારક પાઠવે છે. આ નવું વર્ષ કોમમાં એકતા, શાંતિ, સમૃધ્ધિ અને સુખ લાવીને દરેકના ચહેરા પર સ્મિત કાયમ માટે લાવે તેવી શુભેચ્છા. એક કોમ તરીકે આપણી સંખ્યા ઓછી છે પરંતુ આપણે હમેશા તહેવારની ઉજવણી મોટા પાયે કરીને ‘સાચા બ્લુ બાવાજી’ બનીએ છીએ. આપણા માટે તો દરરોજ…

અસ્ફંદાર્મદ ધાર્મિકતા અને સમર્પણનો સમન્વય

અસ્ફંદાર્મદ ધાર્મિકતા અને સમર્પણનો સમન્વય

‘પારસી ટાઈમ્સ દ્વારા દર મહિને મહિનાના પવિત્ર દિવસ (જ્યારે માહ (મહિનો) અને રોજ (દિવસ) બન્ને સાથે હોય છે) પરબની ઉંડી સમજ લેખક નોશીર દાદરાવાલા તરફથી આપવામાં આવે છે. આ વેળાએ 17 જુલાઈ 2017ના દિવસે પરબ છે. અસ્ફંદાર્મદ રોજ અને અસ્ફંદાર્મદ મહિનો એ ઝોરાસ્ટ્રિન કેલેન્ડરને છેલ્લે મહિને છે. તે સ્પેન્તા આરમઈતી ને સમર્પિત છે જે વસુંધરા…

‘Aspandarmad’ Embodies Piety And Devotion

‘Aspandarmad’ Embodies Piety And Devotion

[otw_shortcode_info_box border_style=”bordered” css_class=”boxed”]Parsi Times brings you our monthly ‘Religion Special: PT Parab Series’, by our religious scholar and cultural expert, the erudite Noshir Dadrawala. Every month, we share with you a deeper understanding of this auspicious day of the month – the Parab – when the mah (month) and the roj (day) coincide. Here’s celebrating…

The Kadmi Or Ancient New Year

The Kadmi Or Ancient New Year

[otw_shortcode_info_box border_style=”bordered” css_class=”boxed”]Parsi Times wishes all our Kadmi readers a hearty Sal Mubarak! May the New Year bring in unity, peace, prosperity, happiness and unending smiles through the new orbit for us all![/otw_shortcode_info_box] As a community we may be small in number, but, always ready and big on celebrations! For a ‘True Blue Bawaji’ everyday…

True Significance And Relevance of Gambhars

True Significance And Relevance of Gambhars

In recent times, we have unfortunately reduced the term Gambhar to a travesty. There are Gambhars hosted by individuals who possess political aspirations and are power-hungry to use Gambhars as a platform to entice the ever-hungry community, which generally gauges the candidate’s worth on the quality of the patru! There is also the ‘fee no…

Lessons in ‘Good Politics’ From The Grand Old Man of India

Lessons in ‘Good Politics’ From The Grand Old Man of India

[otw_shortcode_info_box border_style=”bordered” css_class=”boxed”]The great Dadabhai Naoroji was a multifaceted personality — nationalist, statesman, educationist, economist, social reformer and parliamentarian. Sharing a unique tribute this great icon, Zoroastrian scholar and author, Noshir Dadrawala provides interesting insights into Dadabhai Naoroji’s dynamic persona.[/otw_shortcode_info_box] “All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness…

Behdin Homa Behdin Jamshed – The Patron Saint of Harassed Souls

Behdin Homa Behdin Jamshed – The Patron Saint of Harassed Souls

The month of Dae is dedicated to the Supreme Divinity, Ahura Mazda. Throughout this holy month, devout Parsis perform thanks-giving Jasan offering gratitude to Ahura Mazda for His Bounties. It is considered particularly meritorious to perform Jasan on Roj Hormuzd, Daepadar, Daepmeher and Daepdin. During the month of Dae, the Maidhyarem Gambhar is observed from Roj Meher to Roj Behram. There are six Gambhar which in ancient times were observed as six great holidays, with each Gambhar…

Jasan – A Ritual Act of Worship

Jasan – A Ritual Act of Worship

During the month of Dae, Parsis perform Jasan ceremonies by way of thanks-giving at home, at their workplace as also at various community centers and places of worship. Colloquially or in ordinary conversation, Jasan means ‘rejoicing’ or an ‘assembly of rejoicing’. This is because the religious ceremony is usually followed by feasting and merriment among…