Celebrating Muktad in the House
(Er. Dr. Ramiyar P. Karanjia)

Zoroastrians all over the world celebrate the last ten days of their religious calendar year, as the Muktad. Generally Muktad is viewed in a very limited way as the days of remembering the dead. This is not so. The Muktad is a joyous occasion for welcoming the souls and the Fravashis to this world and in our houses,remembering them and offering them hospitality. It’s the time to show them our love and gratitude,for all the unseen help they provide us.
During these days, the souls and Fravashis of dear ones visit to their respective houses. Hence, it is necessary to create a pious and pleasant atmosphere in the house and celebrate the Muktad in the house, even in a small way, irrespective of whether regular Muktad of the family are done in the Agyari or not. Muktad can be observed in the house in a very simple and small way as follows:
1. Select a small corner in the house, which has to be kept relatively clean.
If necessary it can be covered by a curtain.
2. Keep a small table there.
3. On the table keep a small clean metallic glass, karasya or vase with clean water
and one or two flowers in it, preferably roses.
4. Clean the glass, karasya or vase daily and change the water daily.
Yu can even wash the flower/s and re-use them till they are fresh.
5. Have a continuously burning diva on the table, if possible.
6. Members of the house can do their Kasti and daily prayers there.
7. Each member of the house, young or old, should devote some time, at least a
few minutes, in prayers there. One can select from among the several prayers,
either or multiple of which can be done in that corner, from the simplest to the
elaborate, after doing the Kasti, like:

a. Praying 12 Ashem Vohu (especially for children)

b. Praying ‘Muktad no namaskar’ (from the Khordeh Avesta)

c. Praying ‘Satum no Kardo’ (after farajyat prayers).

d. Praying Framraot Ha (first 5 days) or Gathas (later 5 days).

e. Praying ‘Farvardin Yasht’ (after farajyat prayers).

f. Pray 570 Yatha ahu vairyo + 210 Ashem vohu + 120 Yenghe hatam
daily (especially for elders in the house if they have time.)

This will create a very fragrant and pleasant atmosphere in the house which is necessary for welcoming the souls and Fravashis and conducive for them to be guests in the house. Whenever the souls and Fravashis are pleasantly remembered and prayed to during these days, they return back, showering blessings, which bring
success and prosperity to the house and blessing its inhabitants with health, strength,happiness, protection and abundance.