Question

______ is a festival of Zoroastrian origin which marks the day of vernal equinox in March every year and is celebrated by Parsis in India.
1. Frawardigan
2. Khordad Sal
3. Jamshedi Navroz
4. Pateti

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Jamshedi Navroz

The correct answer is Jamshedi Navroz.

• Jamshedi Navroz is a festival of Zoroastrian origin that marks the day of the vernal equinox in March every year and is celebrated by Parsis in India.
  • The Parsi New Year is a regional holiday celebrated on the first day of the Zoroastrian calendar’s first month, Farvardin.
  • It is also known as Navroz, which is derived from ‘Nav’ and ‘Roz’, meaning new and day respectively in Persian.
• The festival falls every year on Spring Equinox around 21st March.
  • But the Parsi community in India follows the Shahenshahi calendar and thus celebrates their new year later in July or August.
  • In 2021, the Parsi New Year will be observed on 16th August (Monday) in India.
•  Hence, option 3 is correct.

• Places to Observe Parsi New Year’s Day in India:
  • Gujarat, Maharashtra
• On this day, Parsis clean the house and decorate with flowers and rangoli to make it look beautiful and welcoming for visitors.
• Dressed up in traditional attire, they visit the Fire Temple after breakfast and perform a prayer called Jashan to express gratitude to the Lord, pray for prosperity and seek His forgiveness.
• Milk, water, fruits, flowers, and sandalwood are put into the sacred fire as offerings.
• Frawardigan :
  • Frawardigan is a ten-day period at the end of the Zoroastrian religious year during which the souls of the dead are commemorated.
  • The name frawardigan is a Zoroastrian Middle Persian allusion to the fravashis, which – among other aspects – also include the souls of the dead.
• Khordad Sal :
  • Khordad Sal is the birth anniversary of Zoroaster.
  • Zoroastrians all over the world, especially the Parsis of India, celebrate the day in great glamour.
  • Parties and ghambars are held.
  • Special prayers and jashan are also held throughout the entire day.