Customs Articles

Tower of Silence: The Vanishing Practice of Zoroastrian Sky Burial

On a high hill in the city I grew up in, there’s a tall tower we call the Dakhma, “Tower of Silence,” veiled by tall trees and situated in the middle of a forest inhabited by peacocks. In this serene setting, the Parsi Zoroastrians of Mumbai,...
How To Clean a Ses: Good Parsi Wife

How To Clean a Ses: Good Parsi Wife

Our friend Shaz Kha… a.k.a. Good Parsi Wife links us to a video that is very pertinent today. How to Clean Your Ses. Just in time for Parsi New Year in a day (or two)   To get step by step...

How religious beliefs influence home decor

For a country like India, where religious diversity is an undeniable part of the basic social fabric, religions and faiths influence home decor. Often, getting the absolutely perfect sanctum...

Last Rites for Zoroastrians in North America

Meher Amalsad, via email informs: Last Rights for Zarathushtis: By Ervad Zarrir Bhandara My Dear Friends:In this educational audio program: “LAST RIGHTS” Mobed Zarrir Bhandara has beautifully...

A Parsi Lady: Poem by Siloo Kapadia

Below is a poem by long time reader of Parsi Khabar, Siloo Kapadia. A Parsi Lady By Siloo Kapadia I’m rolling my chapatti And I’m swinging my hips And from my rose water I’m taking a sip The smell...

Thread Bare: The Art of Kusti Weaving

An unusual book on the weaving of the sacred thread worn by the Parsis adds to the craft revival stories in India Few, even among textile conservationists, would imagine a book deconstructing kusti,...

Of An Edwardian India

When life in a Parsi household was lived at a leisurely pace... By Silloo Mehta Indian cities were beautiful a century ago. Bungalows had gardens, leafy parks were well maintained and flowering...

The Zoroastrian Way Of Seeking Solace

By Ervad Marzban Hathiram We live in tumultuous times. Our miseries seem never-ending. Calamities, both natural and human-made, visit us with uncanny regularity. Faced with these misfortunes, some...

Celebrating the Atash nu Parab

By Firoza Punthakey-Mistree courtesy of Zoroastrian Studies. On Adar Ruz, Adar Mah, the Parsis of India celebrate the feast of Fire known as the Atash nu parab.  This feast is celebrated...

The Ceremonies of a Parsi Wedding

Parsi Lagan or Wedding is marked by vibrant and joyful customs that spread over a couple of days. Unique and interesting rituals begin from the time of engagement and culminate with a lavish post...

Sadeh Celebrations in Iran

Iran's Zoroastrian minorities gathered at their temples across Iran on Wednesday to mark Sadeh _ an ancient feast celebrating the creation of fire that has been observed since the days when their...

Scrapbooking Projects

Although the Iranian government has condemned " Scrapbooking Projects 300" as insulting to the Persian civilization, the film has been packing them in at movie houses across the country. This is...

Parsi Anthem

We received this via an email tip. It makes interesting reading. Author Unknown When my time has come, when my race is run I want to go that very way of my Fathers and their Sons. When my breath has...

Udvada on Behram Roj

This write up was forwarded to us by email. I don't know the author or the source. However it makes fascinating reading, and something that a lot of people will relate to. The 20th day of the...

Boman Mahino: No Non Veg

The Parsi community is known to be extremely food-loving. Unlike a majority of religions in India, the Parsis do not have the concept of fasting. They are known, on every possible occasion, to enjoy...

Vultures That Vanish

Vultures That Vanish

Spare a thought for the scrawny vultures -- those once-familiar birds of prey that used to circle lazily high in the air, scanning for anything to scavenge. In my youth, they even perched on tall...

Small yet big

The Parsi community in the city will soon usher in its New Year by celebrating Jamshedi Navroz. JAMSHEDI Navroz is knocking at the doors of Parsis in the city, and with it, the community will...