“Dini Avaz” Articles Online
This is to infrom all Mailing Group members that “Dini Avaz” magazine english articles are online on the Traditional Zoroastrism Web Page.The URL for the home page is given below.[1]
Reference:
[1] Articles from “DINI-AVAZ” – “THE VOICE OF THE RELIGION”
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http://tenets. zoroastrianism. com/
Courtesy : K.F.Keravala
pl let me know if
– its is necessary to have a marriage ceremony in the atashbehram only in the morning hours? is it wrong absolutely to have it like 99% of parsees do in the evening in the baugs.
– also if nahan is necessary to be taken at the atashbehram itself or can the girl take the nahan at home and come to the a’behram with an all parsi group in the car.
– will video shooting be permitted at the anjuman atashbehram for the marriage ceremony?
– is before sunrise the best time for the wedding or any time after sunrise during the day is alright.
– if it should be before sunrise, what about doing the chok chadan, jharu katko in the house before sunrise hrs which is not permitted in our religion? how do i do the sagan in the house before leaving at 5 am for the marriage ceremony?
pl let me have answeres to these questions. it is imperative.
Reply by : K.F.Keravala
1) Marriage ceremony can be done in any Paak Agiary or Paak AtashBehram Saheb.Care should be taken, to see that the well of these Sacred Institution's are not contaminated with sewage water.The ceremony can be done in the early part of the Havan Geh (i.e.after sunrise).
2) Nahn for marriage has to be taken in the Paak Atashbehram Saheb only.Setting and styling of the hair by girls should be done after the Marriage Ceremony.There were specific Zoroastrian laws which defined what a Nahn ni mori (i.e. bathroom for nahn) should be like.Unfortunately these laws are not applicable in many of our Sacred Institutions today.Municipal tap water is not allowed for a valid Nahn.Requesting you to please read these beautiful extract writen by Late Jehangirji Sohrabji Chiniwala,given below;
[ I have already said that Parsee Zorastrian Marriage Ceremony is not merely a Matrimonial contract but it is a sacrament. The male as well as the female while getting married, have to undergo firstly a purification ceremony, known as “Nahan” …..The urine of the white bull, is consecrated in a religious ceremony called “Nirang e-Din” ceremony, prolonging over about 18 days. The urine of the white Bull (Variasyaji) which becomes a talisman i.e. Nirang, is administered as a drink in this Nahan ceremony by qualified priests. While sipping such Nirang both the male and the Female, have to recite certain sacred Chants. The Bull’s Urine is also applied on the body and followed to be dried up. After it is dried up, a bath is taken with water drawn from a well or a running brook. Even tap water is not permissible for such a bath. This is the first of the marriage ceremony in which the bodily purification of the inner and outer bodies of parties to the marriage takes place.] (1)
[After a Parsee Zorastrian undergoes the “Nahan” ceremony, kushti is tied by both, the second part of marriage ceremony, namely, the Asheervad ceremony is performed. The second part of the ceremony consists of sacred Avesta and Pazand chants, recited by qualified Parsee priests. This ceremony is performed by qualified priests in the presence of fire and two witnesses. In this “Asheerwad” ceremony it is definitely stated that this ceremony is being performed according to the canons of the Mazdayasni Religion. The Pazand words are “Awar dad U Aeen E Din E Mazdayasni” i.e. according to the law and custom of the Mazdayasnian Religion.The “Asheerwad” Ceremony has got two Avesta passages in the midst of other sacred Pazand Manthra. These two passages of Avesta Manthra, form the most important part of the Asheerwad ceremony. The present day Iranian Scholars cannot give any explanation as to why these two particular Avesta passages have been included in this ceremony, but according to the explanation of the ilm e Khshnoom School of thought, these are two very important and powerful ” Nirangs” or “Talismanic Chants” which are recited to shower special blessings to unite the souls and the bodies of the parties in holy matrimony, so that the progress of the souls of the husband, wife and children born to them, is enhanced and to create special affinity and attachment between the parties to marriage that can last throughout life.](1)
3) Paak Anjuman AtashBehram Saheb(Contractor Hall) allows video shooting,but it is advisable to avoid video shooting and lighting electric lights during the Holy Ceremony.
4) According to Late Jehangirji Sohrabji Chiniwala, early hours of Havan Geh are best for Navjote and Marriage ceremony.
5) If Marriage and Navjote are done in the early part of Havan Geh(after sunrise),then Chowk Chadan and Sagan problem is solved.
References:
(1) http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/diniawaz33a.pdf