Essay on “Khordad Sal”
The Khordad Sal is a Parsi festival celebrated on the anniversary of Prophet Zarathustra’s birth. Generally, the date of birth of Prophet Spitaman Zarathusatra falls on the sixth day of the Parsi month of Farrardin. The exact year of birth is not known, however, it is believed that he lived during 5000 B.C.-2000 B.C. Similarly, the day of his birth is also not precisely known and the fixing of Khordad Sal as his birthday is symbolic.
On this day, a religious ceremony, Jashan, is held in community prayer halls where prayers are offered to god. A grand feast is prepared to mark the occasion. The festival is an opportunity for the Parsis to review their lives and actions and make resolutions for the future.
During ancient times people, including kings and nobles, celebrated it as New Year’s day – Navroz-i-khas. On this day, people of all ages smear vermillion on their foreheads, put on new and clean clothes and eat delicious food.
