23rd September, 2022 marked the Autumn or Fall Equinox. The Solar equinox – when the sun crosses the earth’s equator, appearing directly above it – occurs twice a year, around 21st March (Jamshedi Navroze) and around 22nd September. The equinox dates vary because of the difference between how the Gregorian calendar calculates a year of three hundred and sixty-five days and the time it…
Today, Saturday, 17th September 2022 is Roj Ardibehesht of Mah Ardibehesht, or what we call the Parab (festival) of Ardibehesht. Ardibehesht is the second month and the third day of every month in the Zoroastrian calendar. It is a day of utmost significance since Ardibehesht is Ahura Mazda’s Divine attribute of Truth, Divine Order and Healing….
The Bandra Fair is a week-long annual festivity that is being held this year in 2022 after two years (due to covid restrictions), from 11th to 18th September. Also known as ‘Mount Mary Fair’, it’s been observed at Bandra now for over three centuries, attracting thousands, rich or poor, Christian and non-Christian, to partake in…
On 9th September, 2022, thousands of devotees came out of their homes to bid farewell to their favourite deity, Ganpati or Ganesha. The hugely celebrated ten-day-long Ganeshotsav has concluded, but the usual sentiment of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lvkar Ya’, meaning ‘O Lord Ganpati, come again early next year!’ continues to linger. Lord Ganesha is…
Today, (Mah – Fravardin; Roj – Fravardin) marks the Parab of Fravardin – the day on which the Roj (day) and Mah (month) coincide. On this blessed day, we remember the Fravashi of our dear departed with devotion either from our home, a local Agyari or at the place where their mortal remains are consigned….
Birthdays are special. In our childhood or senior years, most, if not everyone, looks forward to celebrating this day. Each birthday reminds us we’re getting older. However, it also commemorates important milestones in our journey. Birthdays provide us the excuse for extra celebration. Everyone, young or old, gets a day to feel extra special –…
Saal. Zoroastrians observe Khordad Roj (day) of Fravardin Mah (month) as Khordad Saal. This is the sixth day of the first month (Fravardin) of the Zoroastrian calendar. The First Month: One often wonders why the new year begins with the month of Fravardin. Our most learned living scholar and High Priest, Dasturji Dr. Firoze M Kotwal explains: “We call Farvardin…
One of the fundamental precepts of the Zoroastrian religion is the principle of Asha, variously interpreted to mean ‘Truth’, ‘Righteous Conduct’ and ‘Living in Harmony with all good creations of Ahura Mazda’. The Truth that Asho Zarathushtra expounded thousands of years ago regarding the need for human beings to live in harmony with all good…
The Holy Fravardegan days have commenced from today (Roj Astad, Mah Aspandarmad). The five Gatha days which are the holiest among the ten holy days will commence next week on 11th August and conclude on 15th August, 2022. Our New Year will be celebrated on 16th August 2022, being Roj Hormuzd of Mah Fravardin of…
The Holy Fravardegan or Muktad days this year will commence on 6th August and end on 15th August 2022. Zoroastrians believe that during this period, the fravashis of the righteous dead, come down from their spiritual world into this material world and bless all those who remember and pray for them. These last ten days of the…
As we observe the final month of the Zoroastrian calendar and look forward to welcoming the fravashi of our dear departed later this month, let’s reflect on the importance of Aspandarmad or Spendarmad – the twelfth month of the Zoroastrian calendar, dedicated to the Guardian Angel of planet Earth. So, how best can we propitiate or pay homage…