Zarthost No Deeso takes place in June, on Khorshed roz, Dae mah (11th day, 10th month) of the Zoroastrian calendar. This is the day on which the death anniversary of the prophet symbolically falls.
Special prayers are recited and Zoroastrians go to the Fire Temple to pray. There aren't any elaborate celebrations on the day since it is a solemn occasion.
There are many versions of the legend of how Zarathushtra died. One says that in his 77th year, he was killed in a fire-temple by the Turanian army. A variation says that the person who was killed was not Zarathushtra but someone else; Zarathushtra himself ascended the skies.
There are also versions which say that the murderer was also killed on the spot by divine intervention, or that Zarathushtra was killed by a thunderbolt. Another legend says that Zarathushtra died in his sleep.
Rituals
There are no public functions to mark the day. Ceremonies and services are confined to either the home or to the temple. Special prayers are recited, and lectures and discourses are held on the life and works of the prophet.
Celebrated in
Zarthost No Deeso is observed in Mumbai and Gujarat particularly, and in other pockets which have a Parsi population.
Showing posts with label Parsi Festivals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parsi Festivals. Show all posts
Saturday, June 21, 2008
GAHAMBARS - Zoroastrian festival
Gahambar can be translated to mean 'full time' or 'proper season'. This Parsi festival honouring the seasons occurs six times a year.
During the rituals, tribute is paid to the phases or elements responsible for the creation of the world. Each of the six phases - heaven, water, earth, flora, fauna and man - is associated with one Gahambar, and is celebrated over five days.
Gahambar is a community festival and pays tributes to God and Creation. It is also one that reinforces feelings of brotherhood. It is aimed at reminding Parsis of their roots and the good deeds that a true Parsi must do.
These deeds are radih (being charitable), rastih (being truthful), celebrating the Gahambars, observing the three-day ceremony after death, worshipping god, building lodgings for the poor, and wishing everyone well.
Rituals performed :
Four liturgical services are performed during the first four days, and the fifth day is reserved for communal interaction. Celebrations begin with a benediction ceremony called Afrin. It is a prayer of love and praise in remembrance of one's ancestors.
The yaztas, or angels, and the fravashis are honoured next in the Baj prayers. This is followed by the main Parsi rite, the Yasna. The last of the four customs for social service is the Pavi. It is a prayer for the particular Gahambar being celebrated. The priest and the faithful pray together during the Pavi.
On the fifth day of the Gahambar, there is a solemn feast. People can either donate or serve at the feast. Those who participate are expected to recall not only the blessings bestowed by the seasons, but also the seven main acts that a good Parsi must perform.
The Maidhyozarem Gahambar (heaven), is celebrated from the 41st day after Navroz. The second one, called Maidhyoshem (water), is observed 60 days later. Paitishhayem (earth) falls 75 days after that. Thirty days later, comes Ayathrem (flora and fauna), which celebrates creation and the prosperity that it brings. The fifth Gahambar, Maidhyarem, is celebrated 80 days after the fourth. The last of the six Gahambars, Hanaspathmaedaem, is observed 75 days after Maidhyarem.
During the rituals, tribute is paid to the phases or elements responsible for the creation of the world. Each of the six phases - heaven, water, earth, flora, fauna and man - is associated with one Gahambar, and is celebrated over five days.
Gahambar is a community festival and pays tributes to God and Creation. It is also one that reinforces feelings of brotherhood. It is aimed at reminding Parsis of their roots and the good deeds that a true Parsi must do.
These deeds are radih (being charitable), rastih (being truthful), celebrating the Gahambars, observing the three-day ceremony after death, worshipping god, building lodgings for the poor, and wishing everyone well.
Rituals performed :
Four liturgical services are performed during the first four days, and the fifth day is reserved for communal interaction. Celebrations begin with a benediction ceremony called Afrin. It is a prayer of love and praise in remembrance of one's ancestors.
The yaztas, or angels, and the fravashis are honoured next in the Baj prayers. This is followed by the main Parsi rite, the Yasna. The last of the four customs for social service is the Pavi. It is a prayer for the particular Gahambar being celebrated. The priest and the faithful pray together during the Pavi.
On the fifth day of the Gahambar, there is a solemn feast. People can either donate or serve at the feast. Those who participate are expected to recall not only the blessings bestowed by the seasons, but also the seven main acts that a good Parsi must perform.
The Maidhyozarem Gahambar (heaven), is celebrated from the 41st day after Navroz. The second one, called Maidhyoshem (water), is observed 60 days later. Paitishhayem (earth) falls 75 days after that. Thirty days later, comes Ayathrem (flora and fauna), which celebrates creation and the prosperity that it brings. The fifth Gahambar, Maidhyarem, is celebrated 80 days after the fourth. The last of the six Gahambars, Hanaspathmaedaem, is observed 75 days after Maidhyarem.
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