Zoroastrians.net

I know how we try to find good articles that can enrich our knowledge of our religion. It tells us something about mankind, our past history and links to other religions too.

In today’s times sometimes we shirk away from some reading due to controversies entwined.

We wonder what we can pass on to the next generations. This gap may get bridged with the following link to text which was written 82 years ago and is devoid of current confusions.

The link   http://www.farvardyn.com/zoroaster.php may please be clicked and a treasure trove in chronological order will unfold. Great reading for one and family too.

I am really glad I found it. When books are not available I feel this collection is very precious. Do read thro’ and you may not stop till the wee hours of morning. May God Bless us all.

- Dilnawaz Irani.

Most of the following functions may be adapted from Hindu customs, but quite a few Parsis, mostly the elderly ‘bahnnar gannar’ do follow them. Perhaps it stemmed from having a social gathering & to obtain blessings of the elders and perhaps since each ceremony has some significance in its own way, caused no harm to follow it and thus gradually became a part of the Parsi ceremonies followed in quite a few homes, though not all.

1) A lady in the 5th. month of pregnancy (Panchmasu)

2) A lady in the 7th. month of pregnancy (Agharni)

3) Birth of the child

4) When the child first begins to sit down (Besna)

5) When the child first begins to walk (Pag Ladoo)

6) Any other relevant ceremonies

As recommended by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram,

Kindly refer to Er. Jivanji J.Modi’s book “The Religious Ceremonies & Customs of the Parsees” where these ceremonies, their origins, adaptations as well as similarities with other cultures have been explained in great detail.

This book is available at Parsi Vegetarian and Temperance Society, 4th floor, Vatsa House, Janmabhoomi Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001 Tel. +91-22-22870795.

On the 30^th of March 2008, the City of San Jose ,California (in the heart of the Silicon Valley ), hosted the first ever Nu Rooz Day Parade. Persian both Zarathushti and Non-Zarathushti’s participated . This very colourful event highlighted mostly about our ancient past, our culture, our religion. The lead banner carried huge Asho Farhovar. The second banner had a large picture of Asho Zarathustra.

Hundreds of participants dressed in white tee shirts displayed the GOOD, THOUGHTS & WORDS in English and Farsi. The chief guest was the Mayor of San Jose, while important Government officials from San Francisco, Saratoga and other Bay Area cities were also present. San Fancisco’s supervisor Ross Mirkarimi ( the guy with the goatee in the picture below) and also the Supervisor ( Lady in the White jacket whose name I can’t remember) from the City of Saratoga, both assured the Parade organizers their help, if next year or in the near future they would like the Parade in these two nearby Bay Area Cities.

Out of the nearly 7,000 present , there was a lone Bawa, dressed up in a Dugli & Fheta, the Mayor intrigued by the attire wanted to know more about it.

Courtesy : Rusi Sorabji

Click on the images for a bigger view - enjoy !

A guide to Dakhma Services for overseas Parsis including Flying the body to India.

This article is divided into these main components.

 SECTION A - Dokhmenashini - A Prescription in Vendidad

SECTION B - Description of the FUNERAL PROCEDURE ABROAD

SECTION C - DOKHMENASHENI IN INDIA

The Fifth Iranian-American Persian Day Parade, Showcased with Persian Pride in New York City
Davood N. Rahni reporting (photos by Dr. Ali Afshar)

The spring vernal equinox, Norooz, the Persian (Iranian) New Year, celebrated for several millennia in the ancestral motherland, Iran, was once again showcased with an extravagant parade in New York City by Iranian-Americans. 

 http://www.payvand. com/news/ 08/apr/1007. html

Vol. V - nos. 3, 4, 5 & 6

Nov.-Dec. 2007 & Jan.-Feb. 2008

tpv-volv-3-6-part-i.pdf

tpv-volv-3-6-part-ii.pdf

tpv-volv-3-6-part-iii.pdf

a-divine-experience-at-the-ava-yazad-parabh.doc

http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Norouz

http://www.cultureo firan.com/ no_ruz.php

http://www.irna. com/occasion/ norouz/eng/ hist.htm

http://www.cais- soas.com/ CAIS/Celebration s/noruz.htm

http://www.cais- soas.com/ CAIS/Celebration s/norooz. htm

http://www.irancham ber.com/culture/ articles/ norooz_iranian_ new_year. php

http://www.nowruz. ir/en-site/ index.asp

http://www.ghandchi .com/iranscope/ Anthology/ Norouz/zarrinkou b.htm

http://www.art- arena.com/ tradition. htm

http://www.nevruzdc .com/nevruz. html

Haft Seen
http://www.swix. ch/peyk/nowrouz/ haftseen. htm

http://www.iranmani a.com/norooz/ day0.asp

http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Haft_sin_ table

http://www.iranica. com/articles/ v11f5/v11f5016. html

http://www.hanifwor ld.com/Sofrehha. htm

http://www.norooz. ca/

http://www.irancham ber.com/culture/ articles/ norooz_zarathush trian_new_ year.php

http://www.nowruz. ir/en-site/ index.asp

Norooz Tazik Dance from China!
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=W9c2rsAg2mM

Chahar Shanbesouri in Iran
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=tDNwnHn3z2s

4shanbesoori in Dubai
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=-j9romDsims

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YgLO5_7RfWQ

Noruz Iranian Dance
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=1NEZJiJPF8A

Norouz 2007 video
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=iQbVkfBs3Tk

Nowruz is called Nauryz Meyrami (Nauriz) in
Kazakhstan:

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=NUhAf5R_ y4I&NR=1

http://www.youtube. com/watch?
v=z5eay0SZPuU& feature=related

Kazakhstan:

http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Kazakhstan

Nauryz:

http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Nauryz

Noruz for Kids
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=bbv47RkMX9g

Norooz in London
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Gt7y2O6e1nU

Norooz
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=C7TfZJ7V3yc

Norooz- California
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HdsSa_Tm_ ms

Persian new year
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YtOkPCs966Y

Norooz -1386
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=gQhDKQ- jOWU

Perisan new year-Good one
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=37OJAb5uVLY

Noruz in Kabul,Agfanistan
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=2dbWnW9fpf8

Happy Norooz
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=bJ3JzMbSVQU

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ZOcd1yKGa0s

Noruz 2008
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=pYx236bWU5E

33 Zoroastrian videos
http://www.youtube. com/view_ play_list? p=D651D2CF1C6785 8E

 Compiled by Mickey Patel

The contribution of this dynamic Indian community in all spheres of Indian life – arts, sciences, politics, business, and foremost of all – in social commitment and philanthropy - has been phenomenal. Despite their meagre numbers, the Parsi community did not seek any special privileges under the Constitution, and yet played a large role in the development of the country. Jamsetji Tata, JRD Tata, Godrejs, Wadias, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Zubin Mehta, Retd. Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw, Admiral Jal Cursetji, Air Marshal Engineer, are all from this very distinguished community. Indira Gandhi married into the community and so did Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s daughter, Dina Wadia.