The below is an extensive article about all aspects of Noruz, or Navroz as the Parsis of India call it. This detailed primer has been put together by Mr. Jehangir M. Darabna. The content below is an amalgamation of text from various sources, and is intended to serve as a comprehensive guide to the festival… Continue reading Noruz: The Definitive Primer on This Important Zarathushti Day
Category: Festivities
When the epochal fire lit
A peek inside Delhi’s fire temple Dar-e-Mehr at the Delhi Parsi Anjuman is the only fire temple in the entire Northern belt of India. Its fire was consecrated on 31 December 1961. The history of Parsis (Zorastrians in India) has been of interest and intrigue to many. As per the 2001 census, the Parsi population… Continue reading When the epochal fire lit
Prince Philip ‘delighted’ to attend Harrow Zoroastrian association’s 150th anniversary
PRINCE Philip was wrapped in a shawl – the highest honour for a guest – while celebrating 150 years of the South Harrow-based Zoroastrian association. By Ian Proctor | Harrow Observer The Duke of Edinburgh was treated to a traditional welcome at 11am at the Zoroastrian Centre in Alexandra Avenue when Parsi and Iranian women… Continue reading Prince Philip ‘delighted’ to attend Harrow Zoroastrian association’s 150th anniversary
Calcutta Agiary Celebrates 100 years
The centenary celebrations of Calcutta’s only fire temple or agiari in operation at 91 Metcalfe Street, or Bandook Gali, began with a ceremony both warm and colourful early on Tuesday. The city’s Parsi population may have shrunk to 600-strong but they were present in full force at the Late Ervad Dhunjeebhoy Byramjee Mehta’s Zoroastrian Anjuman… Continue reading Calcutta Agiary Celebrates 100 years
Elvis and a fasting Parsi
In this Parsi New Year one hoped that things would pan out differently. No major miracles, of course, like India beating England in a Test match or Anna Hazare becoming the Prime Minister of India. No, this Parsi New Year I just wished to steer clear of the tried and tested, stay out of the… Continue reading Elvis and a fasting Parsi
Mumbai Without Parsis Would Be A selfish and sick city
In honor of Parsi New Year, take a moment to consider the religious community’s outstanding contributions to Mumbai Parsis are members of a small religious community that exists largely in Mumbai. Navroze, the Parsi New Year, is celebrated on August 19. Everyone in Mumbai has their favorite "mad bawa/bawi" story. Bawa/bawi being a synonymn for… Continue reading Mumbai Without Parsis Would Be A selfish and sick city
Marking Navroz with a ‘naatak’
On Friday, Parsis celebrated Navroz, the Zoroastrian new year. The day is traditionally spent eating, praying and, in the evenings, watching a play. The Navroz naatak is a longstanding custom. The plays are almost always comedies that were written by playwrights such as Dorab Mehta, Pheroze Antia, Homi Tavadia and Adi Marzban, who is acknowledged… Continue reading Marking Navroz with a ‘naatak’
