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Parsi New Year (Navroz) in India: History & Significance

Published Date: 09-Dec-2022

The Parsi New Year is a regional holiday celebrated on the first day of the Zoroastrian calendar’s first month, Farvardin. It is also known as Navroz, which is derived from ‘nav’ and ‘roz’, meaning new and day respectively in Persian. The festival falls every year on Spring Equinox around 21st March, but the Parsi community in India follows the Shahenshahi calendar and thus celebrates their new year later in July or August. Parsi New Year 2023 will be observed on 16th August (Wednesday) in India.

Parsi New Year History and Significance

Parsi New Year 2020 | Parsi New Year History

Parsi New Year 2023 | Parsi New Year History

According to legends, this 3000-year-old Zoroastrian tradition – the Parsi New Year holiday was created by Prophet Zoroaster. It was celebrated by the followers of Zoroastrianism in Persia (now Iran), who migrated to places like Gujarat in India in the 7th century owing to the Islamic invasion. Although the festival originated in Persia, it is celebrated with much fervor in many Indian states. The day is also referred to as Jamshedi Navroz after the Persian King Jamshed who founded the Parsi calendar.

Parsi New Year Celebrations and Preparations 

How is Parsi New Year celebrated?

Parsi New Year or Navroz preparations begin with a focus on celebrating the renewal that a new year brings such as house cleaning, wearing new clothes, giving gifts, and making charitable donations. People visit the temples to offer prayers and relish Parsi dishes such as Farcha, Egg Patties, Mithu Dahi, Sali Boti, and Jardaloo Chicken. People greet each other with Parsi New Year wishes of good fortune and health.

Parsi New Year Celebrations across India

Parsi New Year 2020 | Parsi New Year Celebrations

Parsi New Year 2023 | Parsi New Year Celebrations

On this day, Parsis clean the house and decorate it with flowers and rangoli to make it look beautiful and welcoming for visitors. Dressed up in traditional attire, they visit the Fire Temple after breakfast and perform a prayer called Jashan to express gratitude to the Lord, pray for prosperity, and seek His forgiveness. Milk, water, fruits, flowers, and sandalwood are put into the sacred fire as offerings.

Guests are welcomed with a sprinkling of rose water,offered Faluda to drink and exchange Navroz Mubarak wishes. Also, people often mark the Parsi New Year celebrations by giving charitable donations to the poor.

Places to Observe Parsi New Year’s Day in India

  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra

Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type

Festivals in India Day Date Holiday Type
New Year Sunday 1 January Public
Lohri Saturday 14 January Restricted
Makar Sankranti Saturday 14 January Restricted
Pongal Sunday 15 January Restricted
Basant Panchmi Thursday 26 January Restricted
Republic Day Thursday 26 January Public
Guru Ravidass Jayanti Sunday 5 February Restricted
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Wednesday 15 February Restricted
Mahashivratri Saturday 18 February Restricted
Losar Tuesday 21 February Restricted
Holi Wednesday 8 March Public
Ram Navami Thursday 30 March Restricted
Mahavir Jayanti Tuesday 4 April Restricted
Good Friday Friday 7 April Public
Easter Sunday 9 April Restricted
Vaisakhi Friday 14 April Restricted
Eid Ul Fitr Saturday 22 April Public
Buddha Purnima Friday 5 May Public
Rabindra Jayanti Tuesday 9 May Restricted
Rath Yatra Tuesday 20 June Restricted
Eid Al Adha Thursday 29 June Restricted
Muharram Saturday 29 July Public
Independence Day Tuesday 15 August Public
Parsi New Year Navroz Wednesday 16 August Restricted
Onam Tuesday 29 August Restricted
Raksha Bandhan Wednesday 30 August Restricted
Janmashtami Thursday 7 September Restricted
Ganesh Chaturthi Tuesday 19 September Restricted
Id E Milad Thursday 28 September Public
Gandhi Jayanti Monday 2 October Public
Shardiya Navratri Sunday 15 October No Holiday
Durga Puja Friday 20 October No Holiday
Dussehra Tuesday 24 October Public
Valmiki Jayanti Saturday 28 October Restricted
Halloween Day Tuesday 31 October No Holiday
Karva Chauth Tuesday 1 November Restricted
Karnataka Rajyotsava Tuesday 1 November Restricted
Kerala Piravi Tuesday 1 November Restricted
Ahoi Ashtami Sunday 5 November No Holiday
Dhanteras Saturday 11 November No Holiday
Diwali Sunday 12 November Public
Kali Puja Sunday 12 November No Holiday
Lakshmi Puja Sunday 12 November No Holiday
Govardhan Puja Monday 13 November Public
Bhai Dooj Tuesday 14 November Restricted
Chhath Puja Sunday 19 November Restricted
Guru Nanak Jayanti Monday 27 November Public
Kartik Purnima Monday 27 November No Holiday
Christmas Monday 25 December Public

FAQs

Q. What is Navroz Mubarak?

A. Navroz festival is a Parsi New Year celebrated across the globe where people wish each other by saying “Navroz Mubarak”. 

Q. Navroz festival is celebrated by which religion?

A. The Parsi community in India, which follows Zoroastrianism, celebrates Navroz, marking the beginning of the New Year.

Q. Is Parsi new year a national holiday?

A. Parsi New Year is not a national holiday, it is a restricted holiday.

Q. Which god is worshipped on Navroz Mubarak 2023?

A. Parsis believe in the existence of one invisible God, called Ahura Mazda. They worship their God in the form of fire, which symbolizes light.

Q. When is Navroz 2023?

A. Navroz 2023 or Parsi New Year 2023 will be celebrated on August 16th.

Q. How do Parsis celebrate Navroz?

A. Parsis will wear new dresses and interchange sweets and festival wishes. They make a visit to Agiary, which are also called fire temples. On this special day, milk, fruits, flowers, sandalwood, etc., are offered to the fire.

Q. Navroz festival is celebrated in which state?

A. Navroz is mainly celebrated in Gujarat and Maharashtra where majority of the Parsi population resides. 

Q. When is Parsi New Year in 2023?

A. The Parsi New Year in 2023 is on 16th August. 

Q. Who started Navroz festival in India?

A. Navroz or Parsi New Year was introduced in India by Ghiyas ud din Balban.

Sargun Preet Kaur
Sargun has an appetite for challenges and creative hurdles that can help her grow as she conquers them one by one. With an innate desire to travel the world, she weaves through life by visiting her dream destinations. When not in her creative zone, Sargun loves to smash in badminton and binge-watch her favourite shows.
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