JAMSHED-E-NAVROZ : Celebration Of Glory

The vernal equinox and the advent of spring is auspicious for Parsis too. They call The day Jamshed-e-Navroz and celebrate it joyously. The festival is mentioned in the Shah Nameh, the Persian 'Book of Kings' written by Firdausi. It describes how The kings of Persia - Cyrus and Darius - celebrated their own glory as well as the glory of nature and springtime on this day. For some Parsis, this day also marks the new year. Parsis enthusiastically don their new clothes and decorate their homes with rangoli patterns drawn with metal moulds. The fish is an auspicious motif and is used as rangoli on the doorstep. Other motifs used are birds, butterflies and geometrical shapes like the star. Parsi homes are full of flowers on this day. Sweets are sent to family and friends. Following a festive meal, Parsis visit the fire temple or agiary where a Jashan or thanksgiving is performed. All Parsis invariably wear their traditional kustis and caps made of gold or silver brocade for this occasion. In the evening, they visit friends or family and share special sweets like ravo, falooda and mawa ni boi. Guests are welcomed with a sprinkling of rose water and rice, and a tilak. A silver thall is prominently placed in each home, containing rose petals, coconuts, kurnkum, rice and the conical silver vessel which is typical of Parsi celebrations.