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The Zoroastrian calendar is a religious calendar used by members of the Zoroastrian faith. It is an approximation of the tropical solar calendar. History of Zoroastrian calendar states that it was probably created in the fifth century BCE, and was distinctive in marked dedication of each day and month to a divine Sprit. Earlier four days were devoted to "Dadvah”, the creator and Ahura Mazda, who was worshipped as a quaternary. There are currently three main Zoroastrian calendars in use namely Fasli, Shahanshahi, and Qadimi. The oldest Zoroastrian calendar was 'Old Avestan' based on the change of the seasons.
Zoroastrian Parsee calendar is divided into 12 months of equal length. Zoroastrian festivals occur during different months of the year, depending on the calendar. Most of the Zoroastrians in India follow the Shehanshahi or Parsi calendar. Importance of Zoroastrian calendar lies in the fact that in Zoroastrianism, each day forms part of a month and as time is deemed to move on a linear scale, there is a belief that every beginning has a definite end of time. Each month and day of the Zoroastrian calendar is dedicated to an Amesha Spenta or Yazata. The only exception in the calendar is Fravardin, the Guardian Spirit who has the first month and 19th day of each month, dedicated to it.
Zoroastrian religious Calendar is a sacnavy combination of different Zoroastrian celebrations and inherent rituals. Though Many Zoroastrian organizations proposed a unification of all three calendars and suggested that zoroastrians all over the world should follow only the Fasli calendar, which is in total harmony with the different seasons. The different festivals in the Zoroastrian calendar are ‘Nowrûz’, ‘Khordad Saal’ and the different ‘Jashans’and ‘Ghambars’ which falls alternatively every month. Thus, the Zoroastrian calendar truly reflects the beliefs and varied religious faiths of Zoroastrian community.
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