Parsis celebrate Navroz with fervour and gaiety

Members of the Parsi community on Monday celebrated the Zoroastrian New Year, Navroz with fervour and gaiety.

Mumbai, Aug 20 : Members of the Parsi community on Monday celebrated the Zoroastrian New Year, 'Navroz' with fervour and gaiety.

Parsis flocked the Fire Temple to pay respects to Prophet Zarathushtra in Mumbai, where they are concentrated.

On this day, Parsis decorate their homes with "torans" or floral garlands and chalk designs. An important part of the celebrations are get-togethers with friends and family.

"We begin the day by decorating our home with chalks, flowers, lighting the ceremonial. Then we visit the temple and offer prayers before the holy fire. Then the day is free for us to celebrate with the family," said Nilofar Dumachha, a Parsi woman.

The day before 'Navroz' is 'Pateti' when Parsis dwell on the wrongs or the sins committed the previous year.

Ten days prior to the New Year, the Parsis offer prayers at Fire Temples to the dead. It is believed that the spirits of the dead are present during that time and if remembered, they shower their blessings.

Zoroastrianism, the religion of the Parsi community, is the oldest revealed religion in the world and the basic tenet is the law of purity and righteousness.

Zoroastrians worship all the natural elements but the most important is Fire.

It is estimated that there are 150,000 Parsis in the world, and about 50,000 of them are settled in Mumbai.

According to a legend, 3000 years ago Shah Jamshed of the Peshadian dynasty ascended the throne on "Navroz". The day also came to be known as Jamshed Navroz and is celebrated with lot of feasting.

ANI