FESTIVAL OF NAVROZ

                       FESTIVAL OF NAVROZ

                  

Nowruz or Navroz when literally translated means ‘new day’. It is the first day of the Persian Year. Tradition takes this festival long back in time. There are records of it being celebrated way back in 6th century BC.

 According to the legends King Jamshed holds a lot of importance as he is the one who introduced estimated the Persian calendar, and determined the date when the Sun enters the constellation and the embarkation of a new year. On this day the great king Jamshedji was crowned the King of Persia.

 The Parsi community sets up a table with the mythical ‘Gathas’ and put up an array of lit lamp or candle, a ceramic plate with sprouted wheat or beans, small bowl with a silver coin, flowers, painted eggs, sweets and rosewater, and also a goldfish in a bowl. The set of arrangement is said to represent prosperity, wealth, productivity and happiness.

 People also distribute dried fruits, nuts and grains, which also symbolizes plethora of abundance and subsistence.