Navroz festival
- August 17, 2020
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Subject: Arts and culture
Context:
Parsi New Year called ‘Navroz’ or ‘Nowruz’ was celebrated.
Concept :
- It is believed that king Jamshed introduced the Parsi calendar and hence the Parsi New Year is also known as Jamshed-i-Nouroz.
- The holy festival is marked by grand celebrations and the atmosphere is full of positivity and prayers. This year, Navroz is being celebrated on August 16.
- It is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of India.
About Parsis in India:
- Parsi community follow Zoroastrianism, which is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. It was founded by the Prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) in ancient Iran around the 6th-7th century.
- Zoroastrians believe in one God called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) who created the world. Their holy scripture is called the Avesta.
- Zoroastrians worship communally in a Fire Temple or Agiary. Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers but believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God’s light or wisdom.