Zoroastrian Holiday calendar is an interesting one. Zoroastrian people are those who follow the teaching of Zoroaster. There are a number of festivals observed by the people round the year.



These festivals could be monthly, yearly or even in accordance to the season. Also among the Zoroastrian people there is prevalence of three calendar systems that differ from one another. The calendars are –

  • The Qadimi Calendar
  • The Shahenshahi/ Shenshai Calendar
  • The Fasli Calendar

There are two major Zoroastrian festivals that different people observe on different dates depending on the calendar system followed by them –

  • Noruz or Nowruz – The tradition of Noruz or Nowruz is believed to have been initiated by Zoroaster himself, and as such this is considered to be one of the most important Zoroastrian festivals. This marks the first day of the New Year for the Zoroastrians. It is a common belief that how this day is spent would give indication of how the coming year would be spent. Noruz or Nowruz is celebrated both at homes and at offices. People clean their homes or offices, wear new clothes, meet relatives and friends, enjoy special meals and generally spend the day in positive and festive mood.

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    • Khordad Sal – This day that commemorates the birth anniversary of Zoroaster or Zarathustra, who was the founder of Zoroastrian religion. This day sparks for festivity and fun for people following Zoroastrian faith. This is the time to give the homes a spring cleaning, decorate them, wear new clothes and prepare special meals. Special prayer services are also held.

 

Here is a list along with comprehensive and compact description of Zoroastrian Holiday Calendar 2015 –

  1. January 16 – Bahman – This festival honors Amesha Spenta Vohu Mano for creating animals.
  2. January 30 — Sadeh – As per myths, this is believed to be the day when a Persian Emperor accidentally lit Fire. Since then the day has been celebrated to honor energy, fire and light. By these Zoroastrians also encompass the light that eradicates darkness from the souls.
  3. February 18 – Spendarmad – This is the day that celebrates the virtues of piety and devotion. Tribute is paid to the Earth on this day. It is a Zoroastrian tradition for the husbands to gift their wife something on this day.
  4. March 21 — Jamshedi Noruz (Fasli) – According to the Fasli calendar, Noruz is observed on this day.
  5. March 26 — Khordad Sal (Fasli) – As per the Fasli calendar, Khordad Sal is observed on this day.
  6. April 8 – Farwardigan – This is the day when people make resolutions of leading a virtuous life. People repent for the sins that they may gave committed.  This Feast is in the honor of All Souls for Zoroastrians believe that departed souls come back to Earth on this day. As a park of respect, people set out food outdoors.
  7. April 22 – Ardavisht – This is the day to honor Fire or other sources of illumination.
  8. May 25 — (K)Hordad – This is observed on the sixth day of the third Zoroastrian month to pay tribute to Water.
  9. July 1 — Tirgan – This is a traditional Zoroastrian festival that celebrates the rainfall which is meant to bring assurance of bountiful harvest leading to prosperity. This is celebrated bear water bodies where people play water sports, swim, splash water on one another, etc. It is also a custom to wear a rainbow colored thread on the wrist on this day which is then set afloat in a stream after ten days.
  10. July 19 — Jamshedi Noruz (Qadimi) – Noruz is observed on this day according to Qadimi calendar.
  11. July 24 — Khordad Sal (Qadimi) – Following the Qadimi calendar, Khordad Sal is celebrated on this day.
  12. July 25 – Amurdad – Literally meaning Long Life or Immortality, this day pays tribute to the plants, flowers, trees and fruits.
  13. August 18 — Jamshedi Noruz (Shenshai) – Noruz is celebrated on this day as per the Shenshai traditions.
  14. August 21 – Shahrevar – Literally meaning Kingdom or Dominion, this is the day to show respect to the virtues of hard work, honesty and labor, for the Zoroastrians believe that these are the key ingredients that make up an ideal Dominion.
  15. August 23 — Khordad Sal (Shenshai) – Khordad Sal is observed on this day following the Shenshi calendar.
  16. October 2 – Mehregan – This is day that honors “Mehr”, the one who is believed to create bonds of friendship and love. This is also the time for Autumn Festival in Persia. People celebrate by wearing new clothes and participating in a special feast that often includes symbolic rituals and food.
  17. October 26 – Abanagan – This is the Zoroastrian festival that pays tribute to Apas, which literally means Water. It is a common tradition to make offerings to nearby water-bodies or (when available) household wells.
  18. November 24 – Adarga — This is the festival to pay tribute to Atar, the term that is used for Fire, for Fire is considered very holy by Zoroastrians since it is the major source of heat and light.
  19. Six Gahambars – Literally translated these mean “proper season”. This is observed to mark the six seasons for six times a year, celebrated for about five days. This is considered to be the time to resolve old disputes, to make new friends, and to share festive meals – basically all that marks the spirit of unity. The six Gahambars are —
    • Maidyozarem Gahambar (April 30 to May 4)
    • Maidyoshahem Gahambar (June 29 to July 3)
    • Paitishahem Gahambar (September 12 to September 16)
    • Ayathrem Gahambar (October 12 to October 16)
    • Maidyarem Gahambar (December 31 to January)
    • Hamaspathmaidyem (March 16 to March 20)
  20. December 21 – Yalda (Shab-e Chelleh) – This is the day that has the longest of nights and is celebrated since this is believed to be the birthday of the Persian Angel of Light and Truth. It is a custom to stay awake all night for it is believed that this helps to combat misfortune. Parties and celebrations are on in full swing to enjoy the long night.
  21. December 26 — Zarathust No Diso – This is the day to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Zoroaster. He is believed to have ascended to Heaven on the 77th year of his life in a Fire Temple, although there happens to be different myths related to his death. To mark the occasion and to pay tribute, people hold prayer meetings in Fire Temple.