Nowruz 2025: Who are Parsis? Check date, religious history, god, significance and more about Parsi New Year

Nowruz 2025: Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is celebrated on the first day of spring, which falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025. It is an ancient festival that marks the start of a new season and brings a feeling of renewal. Millions of people in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Parsi community around the world celebrate this special occasion. The Parsis, who follow Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religions, have their own New Year celebration called Navroz or Jamshedi Navroz.

But, in India, the Parsi New Year, based on the Shahenshahi calendar, will be celebrated on August 15, 2025 (as per www.calendarr.com). Nowruz is an important festival that represents new beginnings, hope, and positivity. It lasts for 13 days and ends with a tradition called Sizdah Bedar, where people spend time outdoors.

What is Nowruz?

Nowruz means "new day" in Persian and is the Iranian New Year. It is an important festival that marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. More than 300 million people around the world, including those in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Kurdish and Parsi communities, observe this festival.?

Nowruz comes from the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. It is a time of new beginnings, the end of winter and the fresh start of nature.

Nowruz 2025 Date & Celebrations

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is celebrated on Thursday, March 20, 2025, marking the beginning of spring and the Iranian solar year. This ancient festival is observed not only in Iran but also across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and other regions.

In India, the Parsi community celebrates their New Year, known as Navroz, on August 15, 2025, following the Shahenshahi calendar.

Who are the Parsis?

The Parsis are a small ethnic and religious group mainly living in India and Pakistan. They follow Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions. Their ancestors were Persian Zoroastrians who moved to India in the 7th or 8th century to escape religious persecution after the Arab conquest of Persia (now Iran).?

The word "Parsi" means "people from Persia" and comes from the name of the Pars (Fars) region in southwest Iran. Even though they are a small community, Parsis have greatly contributed to Indian society, especially in business and innovation.

Religious significance of Nowruz 2025

Nowruz started in Zoroastrianism, which is one of the oldest religions.

• The festival represents the victory of goodness over evil and happiness over sadness. Also, these are important Zoroastrian beliefs.
• Nowruz is a time to refresh the mind and spirit. People let go of negative thoughts and welcome positivity.
• Even though Nowruz has Zoroastrian roots, it has been accepted in Islamic traditions, especially by Shi'i Muslims.
• The Parsi community in India celebrates Nowruz by visiting fire temples, offering prayers, and taking part in special ceremonies for blessings.
• Nowruz is not just about one religion. It spreads messages of hope, togetherness, and new beginnings for people all over the world.

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Nowruz 2025: Zoroastrian Gods & Beliefs

Nowruz 2025 is the Persian New Year, a festival with deep connections to Zoroastrian traditions. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It teaches people to worship Ahura Mazda, the supreme god of truth, goodness, and light.?

Ahura Mazda is believed to have created and protected everything, while his enemy, Angra Mainyu, represents evil. The religion was founded by the prophet Zoroaster and follows three main principles: Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.

How is Nowruz 2025 Celebrated?

Nowruz 2025 is the Persian New Year, celebrated with many traditions and customs. Here’s how people observe it:

Preparations:

• House Cleaning (Khaneh-Tekani): People clean their homes deeply to welcome new beginnings.
• New Clothes: Buying and wearing new clothes is a common tradition.
• Haft-Sīn Table: A special table is decorated with seven items that start with the Persian letter "S," such as sprouts, wheat pudding, dried fruit, garlic, apple, sumac berries, and vinegar.

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?Rituals and Activities:

• Fire-Jumping (Chaharshanbe Suri): People jump over small fires to cleanse themselves and prepare for the new year.
• Family Visits: Visiting family and friends is important, starting with elders.
• Traditional Foods: Special dishes like Ash Reshteh (noodle soup) and Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (herbed rice with fish) are prepared.

Final Day – Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day):

• Outdoor Picnic: On April 2, 2025, families go outside for picnics.
• Sabzeh Ritual: People release sprouts (Sabzeh) into flowing water to remove bad luck.

Nowruz 2025 Celebrations Around the World

Nowruz is celebrated in many countries, each with its own special traditions:

• Iran: The main place for Nowruz celebrations, lasting 13 days.
• Afghanistan: Celebrated as the New Year with festivals like Gul-i-Surkh in Mazar-i-Sharif.
• Uzbekistan: People cook sumalak, decorate homes with carpets, and use beautiful textiles.
• Tajikistan: Families prepare traditional foods like sumanak and halva and exchange gifts.
• Kazakhstan: Special dishes like Nauryz kozhe are enjoyed, and people play traditional games like kokpar.
• Kyrgyzstan: Popular dishes include beshbarmak and boorsok.
• Turkmenistan: People eat traditional foods and light a fire to welcome the New Year.
• Other Countries: Nowruz is also celebrated in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraqi Kurdistan, Kosovo, and by Iranian communities around the world.

Cultural & Social Impact of Nowruz 2025

This festival keeps cultural traditions alive with activities like setting up the Haft-Seen table, cleaning homes for a fresh start, and jumping over bonfires to welcome positive energy. Nowruz also boosts tourism, allowing people to explore different traditions, enjoy music, and take part in festive events.

Most importantly, it strengthens family and social bonds as loved ones come together to share meals, exchange gifts, and celebrate. It reflects UNESCO’s values of peace and unity, bringing diverse communities closer.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

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