Dear Parsi Khabar Family
On the joyous occassion of Jamshedi Navroze we take this opportunity to wish you, your families and loved ones a very healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous Navroze. We are grateful for your readership over the past two decades and counting.
Below is a succinct and clear explanation of when Navroze falls this year in 2024.
Sincerely
Team Parsi Khabar.
The below image is of the Haft-Seen table laid out at the home of Mehernaaz, Shovir, Ava and Zal Irani in Mumbai India.
Is it Navroze Today on 21st March or was it Yesterday on 20th March?
Simply put, Yesterday or 20th March was the Spring Equinox – a Natural phenomenon. Today or 21st March is Roj Hormuzd of Mah Fravardin or New Year according to the Fasal or seasonal calendar.
It is a scientific fact that the spring equinox occurred yesterday (i.e., on 2Oth March 2024) in the Northern hemisphere.
The spring — or vernal — equinox can happen on March 19, 20 or 21 depending on the year and the exact time would depend on one’s geographic location.
Year 2024 is leap year so yesterday was Roz e vahizak (extra day as per fasal or seasonal calendar) today 21st March is Roj Hormuzd of Mah Fravardin or Navroze day or first new day of the New Year as per Fasal (seasonal) calendar.
It’s Nature’s New Year in the Northern hemisphere.
We celebrated the equinox yesterday and today we celebrate the first or new year’s day as per the Fasal calendar.
In our opinion, celebrate everyday as a gift of Life to us. Yesterday was a day to recognize Nature’s phenomenon and celebrate it now lets observe today as Fasal (seasonal) roj Hormazd and offer gratitude to Life!
Navroze this year heralds year of the Blue Whale.
Blue is colour of royalty
Whale is an acqutic mamal which is auspicious.
Thus, the year promises to be a good year of abundance and prosperity
Persians seem to follow the Chinese Zodiac probably from the time of the old Silk Trade Route.
2024 is the Chinese year of the dragon.
Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs.
Persians dislike snakes so they prefer dragon in form of a giant fish.
May we all have a “whale of a time”, today and everyday, throughout the year.
– Noshir H Dadrawala
