2017-08-17 Thu

Nowroz Mubarak, let’s celebrate yet another New Year in India!

India, a land of cultural infusions has many occasions to celebrate new beginnings. Be it Gudhi Padwa, Onam, Muharram or Pateti (Nowroz) we celebrate it with unparalleled zest and enthusiasm; decorating our homes with rangolis, garlands and adorning new clothes in order to welcome new days.

We all know that Nowroz is the Parsi (Zoroastrian) New Year. But what we don’t know is that Nowroz was started 3000 years ago by the mighty emperor Jamshed, who introduced a new ‘Shenshai' or 'Shahanshahi' Calendar in Persia. Further, 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.

While Pateti means repentance, 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.

Today, Pateti – a day of repentance – is totally eliminated and has become synonymous with Nowroz. 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 a symbol of Ahura Mazda. Ahura Mazda, (Avestan: “Wise Lord”) also spelled as Ormizd or Hormazd is the supreme god of the ancient Iranian Zoroastrianism. According to Zarathustra (Iranian Prophet), Ahura Mazda created the universe and maintains its cosmic order. He is the supreme deity who is the creator and upholder of the “Asha” (the truth) and everything good.

Archaeologically we find references of Ahura Mazda from the Achaemenid periods (c. 550 – 330 BCE) 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 found on coins too! These coins in the image above are from Sasanian and Kushano-Sasanian Empires (showing just the reverse of the coins). Here are the coin descriptions:

Coin on the left belongs to Dynasty: The Kingdom of Sasanian,
Ruler: Shapur III,
Denomination: Silver Drachma,
Obverse: Bust facing right, decorative arcaded crown with a royal hair bun. Within dotted border.
Reverse: Ahura Mazda (two cult guards) standing as attendants for the holy fire altar, a smaller bust of the exalted God Yazata emerging/arising from fire altar, head facing right.
P.S: This coin is an Eastern issue and was found in Madhya Pradesh, India.


Coin on the right side belongs to Dynasty: The Kushano-Sasanian Empire
Issuer/Ruler: King Hormizd I.
Mint: Balkh,
Denomination: Bronze / Copper Hemidrachm,
Obverse: Crowned bust right, wearing lion-head kulah. Pahlavi legends: King Hormizd I.
Reverse: Exalted God Yazata arising from fire altar, head left, holding a wreath. Bactrian legends: Exalted God Yazata.

Hope this article was enlightening. Wishing a very Happy Parsi New Year to all! May this Navroz bring good health, wealth, prosperity, and productivity to you!