A Snapshot of the Parsi Culture

Over the last weekend I visited a small exhibition showcasing the Parsi culture and its various rituals. Yes, I was accompanied by my mother and my masi joined us too. I already knew bits and pieces about the culture that had been handed over to me my mother’s side of the family but after visiting the exhibition at Albless Baug (Charni Road) I became a little more enlightened. Let me share some parts of the Parsi heritage and culture with you.

Prophet Zarathushtra was the first prophet to reveal religion in the world. He was a divinely appointed prophet. Zarathushtra is an Avestan word. Greeks called him Zoroaster which means “Possessing a wise camel” and “A golden star”. During the Kayanian dynasty, the power of evil was increasing. It became so unbearable, that Geush Urvan, the soul of Mother Earth cried out in pain to Ahura Mazda. After discussions with Bahman and Ardibahesht Ameshaspands, Ahura Mazda proclaimed that there was just one soul who could help her – Zarathushtra Spitama. He was sent as a Prophet to the world.

Throughout his childhood there were a number of murder attempts made on him, but he survived them all. He passed away at the age of 77 years and 11 days. Prophet Zarathushtra accepted the teachings of the already existing Mazdayasni belief system, added many of his teachings and gave a very strong religion to the people of Iran.

Fire temples are special consecrated structures housing a consecrated fire. The sacred fire is housed in a small room, which is the sanctum sanctorum. It is kept burning ever since its enthronement. Priests offer prayers and fuel to the fire at least five times during the day at the turn of the five gahs (watches of the day). The consecrated fires in fire temples are specially made. There are three grades of fire: Atash Behram; Atash Adaran and Atash Dadgah. These 3 grades of fires are made by collecting, purifying and consecrating fires from different sources and then amalgamating them into one fire. For the Atash Behram, fires from 16 different sources are used; for the Atash Adaran, fires from 4 different sources are used; for the Atash Dadgah, it is not necessary to collect fire from different sources, nor is it necessary to perform any particular rituals over the fire.