Jamshed-E-Navroz is the first day of the first month of the Zoroastrian year. Parsis follow the Fasli calendar and their New Year commences with the VernalEquinox. The festival is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm. The community dutifully follows all the rituals performed during Jamshed-e-Navroze. Parsis offer special prayers on the day savour the fixed menu of the festival and greet each other.
Growing of wheat in small earthenware bowls was also an age-old custom of the Parsis. On the 13th day
after the Navroze, they tossed these tiny sprouts of plants into the nearby water-head, as a mark of reverence for the water and greenery. It is practiced by devout Parses till this day. There are special dishes for breakfast too – one is ‘Ravo’ prepared with suji, milk and sugar and the other is fried vermicelli cooked in sugar preparation and decorated with dry fruits. After breakfast, people visit Fire Temple or Agiary for a special thanks-giving prayer called, ‘Jashan’. People also offer sandalwood to the Holy Fire. Besides, there is a custom to keep a copy of the Gathas, a lit lamp, an Afrigan, a bowl of water containing live fish, a shallow earthenware plate with sprouted wheat or beans for prosperity, flowers for colour, a silver coin for wealth, painted eggs for productivity, and sweets and rosewater in bowls for sweetness and happiness on a table. Apart from these, the table also has seven foods beginning with ‘sh’ and ‘sa’. These are meant to symbolise creation.
Jamshed-E-Navroz Legend
The festival was celebrated as far back as the 6th century B.C. when legendary kings like Cyrus and Darius ruled over the Persian Empire. Celebration of the festival dates back to over 3000 years when the legendary king of Persia, Jamshedji ascended the throne on the day of ‘Navroz’. ‘Nav’ means new and ‘Roz’ means day. The day happened to be a vernal equinox- when the length of the day equals that of the night. Navroz marked the transition from winter to summer. Later, the particular day came to known and celebrated as ‘Jamshed Navroz Festival’. It is also said, King Jamshedi introduced solar calculation into the Persian calendar and also determined the date when the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, in the beginning of the year. The advent of spring in February-March and the vernal equinox – these are the two events that mark the Jamshed-e-Navroz. On this occasion, it was customary for the king to be weighed in gold and silver, and the money was then distributed to the poor.
Jamshed-E-Navroz Wishes
Wish All of a Happy Naveroze.
Jamshed-E-Navroz Celebration in Delhi
The Delhi Parsi Anjuman will celebrate Jamshedi Navroze 2012, and all our Members – young and old – are invited to join the Jashan in the morning, and the festivities in the evening! The scheduled program is as follows:
09.00 am: Jashan at the Dar-e-Meher
07.00 pm: Maha Macchi and Hum Bandagi at the Dar-e-Meher 07.30 pm: The traditional Navroze Table will be decorated, and Parzor will display and sell traditional Parsi items.
07.30 pm: Tambola, which will continue through the two dinner sittings planned. onwards Music & dancing – DJ in attendance
Jamwa Chalo! A sit-down Parsi bhonu nu dinner: 08.00 pm: First sitting 09.00 pm: Second sitting
The Non Vegetarian Menu: Mutton Curry Rice, Sali Murghi, and Parsi Vegetarian Stew The Vegetarian Menu: Egg/Potato Curry Rice, Shahi Paneer and Parsi Vegetarian Stew
The above will be accompanied with Rotlis, Achar, Salad, and topped off with Falooda and Ice Cream
Nominal charges per head will apply, with reduced charges for children below 8 years of age. Members can bring Guests, and will be charged a higher rate per head.
