Jamshed Navroz in Iran

Jameshed Navroz, also known as Nowruz, is a colorful and cheerful festival celebrated by the Zoroastrians all across the globe with immense joy and revelry. The festival marks the Persian New Year and falls on the first day of the first month of the Iranian calendar. This usually occurs at the onset of the springtime or Vernal Equinox, that is, on March 21st. Jamshed Navroz is dedicated to the Persian ruler, Jamshed and hence, the festival is a symbol of rejuvenation and rebirth. Regarded as the most important festival of the Zoroastrians, Jamshed Navroz originated in Iran. Thus, the celebrations are most prominent, lively and vibrant. Continue browsing through the lines below to know how the springtime holiday of Jamshed Navroz is celebrated in Iran.

Nowruz Celebrations In Iran

The Iranians perform the Khouneh Tekouni or spring cleaning or complete cleaning of the homes before the arrival of Nowruz. New clothes and flowers are purchased for the oncoming New Year. Flowers, like hyacinths and tulips, are particularly bought as they are thought to be conspicuous. The 12-day Nowruz celebrations begin with donning new clothes and visiting the elders of the family to seek their blessings. This is followed by making trips to other family members and friends as well. On the first day, the Haft Seen, or the seven specific items (sabzeh, samanu, senjed, sir, sib, somaq and serkeh), is placed on the table, while the family members gather around it. At the exact time of arrival of spring, gifts are exchanged amongst one another.

The later half of the day is spent in visiting the senior most family members. Visitors are served with pastries, cookies, fresh and dries fruits, special nuts, tea and sherbet. Some Zoroastrians believe that the first day spent will directly affect the entire year. Hence, kindness, warmth, politeness and joviality form the basis of the occasion assuming that the year too would be a good one. Hence, fights and disagreements are kept at bay. The last Thursday night or last Friday morning is marked by visiting the cemeteries of the deceased family members. The Sura Al-Fatiha is read out in honor of them. Some families even place a sweet, usually honey or candy, outside in a clean and safe place in the night.

The first person up in the next morning brings this sweet back indoors as a symbol of staring a good new year on sweet thoughts. Traditional meals are prepared on Jamshed Navroz for lunch and dinner. Some of such delicious and scrumptious dishes include Sabzi Polo Mahi (rice prepared with green herbs and fish), Reshteh Polo (a preparation of rice and noodles), Dolme Barg (vegetables, meat and rice embedded in grape leaves and cooked) and Kookoo Sabzi (herbs and vegetable soufflé). The 13th day is known as Sizdah Bedar and is marked by picnics and outdoor excursions.