2019-08-17 Sat

In India, all the festivals are celebrated with unparalleled zest and enthusiasm is it Gudi Padwa, Onam, Muharram or Pateti. Every religion ad fate has a special place in culture. Today India celebrated one of the New Years Navroz. The ethnicity of this festival can be dated back to 3000 years ago to the mighty emperor Jamshed who introduced ‘Shenshai' or 'Shahanshahi' Calendar in Persia.

Pateti or Papeti (which we often use synonymously with Nowroz) is the New Year’s Eve and Nowroz or Nowruz is the New Year’s Day, the first day of the month of Farvardin. This day is meant for people to reflect on their thoughts, words, and deeds of the previous year and to repent those that were not good and ready themselves for the New Year and work towards ethical growth.

On this auspicious day, Parsis visit the fire temple which is also known as an Agiary. The Agiary is basically the sacred fire temple which was brought from Iran, in which a fire is always kept burning by the high priest.

The fire is the symbol of the Ahura Mazda-Wise lord (Avestan) the supreme god of the ancient Iranian Zoroastrianism. The archaeological reference of Ahura Mazda id from Achaemenid periods in King Darius I’s inscription made on a cliff at Naqsh-i Rustam near Persepolis and further through Parthian and Sassanid Empires. Ahura Mazda is also represented on the coin in the fort of Fire Alter. The above shown Kushano-Sasanian copper coin is a fine example of this issued by King Shapur II. The obverse of this coin depicts the bust of King facing right wearing a crown with rows of jewels and triple crenellations. Central hair bun illustrated as the arc of dots and Hair bun drawn in parallel lines ending with dots and beard shown with a cluster of dots. Bactrian Legend: "Shoboro". The reverse of this coin Exalted God emerges from fire altar with the superimposed throne with lion legs. Diadem ribbons are shown on right and left, the Tamga like symbol seen on the Altar. No Inscription all within dotted border. Hope this coin can reflect on the historic importance of this festival and custom. Mintage World wishing a very Happy Parsi New Year to all! May this Navroz bring good health, wealth, prosperity, and productivity to you!