February 28, 2007 – 5:53 pm
An exhibition of photos, paintings and traditional garments representing Zoroastrian rituals is to open Tuesday at the “Melal” Cultural Center in Tehran.
The exhibition will display manifestations of Zoroastrian culture, ceremonies and rituals in order to introduce this ancient religion to Iranian public.
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February 28, 2007 – 2:43 pm
![[Post Image]](http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Images2/Maps/pasargadae_map.gif)
The Ballaghi Gorge, a significant part of the Achaemenids’ first capital of Pasargadae, is on the brink of submersion when the construction of a new dam is completed south of Iran.
The 18-km-long gorge is just 4 km away from the historical city, just inscribed on UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List in June. Archaeologists believe the gorge was part of the renowned Imperial Route, driven by mounted couriers to deliver royal messages from Pasargadae to Persepolis and Susa. The gorge also houses some residential caves, dating from the prehistoric to the Islamic period.
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February 28, 2007 – 2:39 pm
![[Post Image]](http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Images2/Celebrations/norooz.jpg)
Norooz (Nowruz, Nevruz, Newruz, Navruz) in Persian means “New [-year]-day”. It is the beginning of the year for the peoples of Iran (Greater Iran, including: Afghanistan, Arran (Republic of Azerbaijan) and Central Asian Republics).
Turkey too has decided to declare Norooz a holiday. It is also celebrated as the New Year by the people of the Iranian stock, particularly the Kurds a, in the neighboring countries of Georgia, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
It begins precisely with the beginning of spring on vernal equinox, on or about March 21. Tradition takes Norooz as far back as 15,000 years–before the last ice age. King Jamshid (Yima or Yama of the Indo-Iranian lore) symbolizes the transition of the Read More »
February 28, 2007 – 2:37 pm
... About 3000 years ago Persian’s major religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and arguably the world’s first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called “Farvardgan” which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year ...
![[Post Image]](http://www.norooz.ca/images/apple_tree.gif)
In harmony with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year Celebration, or Norooz, always begins on the first day of spring, March 20th of each year. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts – the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago Persian’s major religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and arguably the world’s first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called “Farvardgan” which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning , signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration. Norooz was officially acknowledged and named “Norooz” by mythical Persian emperor, Shah Jamshid, from Achaemenid Dynasty (500 BC). Ashaemenied created the first major empire in the region and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in the city of Shiraz. Norooz in Persian means “New Day” and brings hope, peace and prosperity to the world and has been celebrated among people regardless of ethnic background, political views or religion in many countries around the globe such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and India. Some of the activities during Norooz are Spring cleaning, buying new cloths, painting eggs, family reunion, giving presents, visiting neighbors and friends and celebrating by having a picnic on the 13th day of Spring. Happy Norooz!
February 28, 2007 – 2:29 pm
Granddaughter of legendary actress Sichitra Sen, Raima hopes to get more comic roles following her next flick, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.
The film, which follows six couples on a four-day honeymoon package tour to Goa, sees Raima playing a “la-di-lah” daring newly Read More »
February 27, 2007 – 5:36 pm
![[Post Image]](http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/images/20070309001608201.jpg)
“Parzania”, a movie based on events relating to the communal pogrom, has been released throughout the country but not in Gujarat.
DARA MODY has worked as a theatre projectionist in Ahmedabad for decades, but ironically, the only film he cannot screen is the one that tells his life story – Parzania. The movie has been released throughout the country but has been blacked out in Gujarat.
Parzania tells the story of Rupa and Dara Mody, a Parsi couple who lost their son Azhar when a mob attacked their home in Gulbarg Society during Gujarat’s communal pogrom of 2002. Azhar is one of the many who went “missing” in the gruesome attacks. His parents are still searching for him. The last frame of the movie shows a photograph of Azhar holding the Indian flag and carries an Read More »
February 27, 2007 – 5:29 pm
The mythical figures of Norooz, similar to Santa Claus, are Amoo (Uncle) Norooz and his servant Haji Firooz. Amoo Norooz is the man who brings presents on Norooz and Haji Firooz is a comical and entertaining sidekick. Haji loves to sing a song called Arbab-e Khodam which means “My Master.”
To listen to the song click here.
The song translates to:
Howdy doody my master,
Pick up your head my master,
Sugar goat [type of candy] my master,
Why won’t you laugh my master?
February 27, 2007 – 1:02 am
Within the first month of our activity we are proud to announce that Zoroastrian News is now accepted as one of news sources for ZAGNY site. you can see our link and their site at http://www.zagny.org
February 26, 2007 – 11:49 pm
![[Post Image]](http://static.ibnlive.com/pix/sitepix/02_2007/rahul_dholakia1_248.jpg)
New Delhi: The screening of controversial film Parzania during the Budget session of Parliament, is one of the treats planned by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for its Parliamentarians.
The film, which tells the story of a Parsi family losing their son in the Gujarat communal riots, is expected to divide the political class down the middle. But the I&B Minister says its important that MPs see the truth for themselves.
“So much has been said about the movie. It’s important that they see what the film is about,” says Minister, I&B, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi
The movie ran into trouble in Gujarat after multiplex owners decided to give the movie a go by. But with the Government’s latest move, director Rahul Dholakia is happy.
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February 26, 2007 – 11:37 pm
![[Post Image]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Faravahar.png/100px-Faravahar.png)
According to Zoroaster, the first of Ahura Mazda’s creative acts was to emanate six “divine sparks”, called the Amesha Spenta in Zoroastrian tradition, which are principal aspects of the Creator and the foundation upon which Geti (the universe) is governed. In later Zoroastrianism, the six Amesha Spenta (lit: ‘Bountiful Immortal’) came to be personified as archangels – each responsible for a special domain that they helped create:
Avestan name Conceptual meaning Persian name Special domain
Vohu Manu Benevolent Mind Bahman Animal life
Asha Vahishta Righteousness Ardibehesht Luminaries, including Fire
Kshathra Vairya (or Vohu Kshatra) Authority & Power Shehrevar, Metals and Minerals
Armaiti (Intuitive) Wisdom Spendarmad Earth (World)
Haurvatat Perfection/Plenty Khordad Water
Ameratat Immortality Amardad Plant Life
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February 26, 2007 – 11:33 pm
![[Post Image]](http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/webpics/zoroaster.jpg)
* Born: 628 B.C.
* Birthplace: Iran
* Died: 551 B.C.
* Best Known As: Founder of Zoroastrianism
Zoroaster was a religious reformer of ancient Persia (now Iran) and the founder of the pre-Islamic religion of Zoroastrianism (sometimes called Parsiism). Thought to have lived about 300 years before Alexander the Great, Zoroaster (Zarathustra in Greek) had a religious vision when he was about 30 years old, and for the next decade travelled throughout Persia preaching and running afoul of the established religious authorities. The story goes that he eventually settled in the land of King Vishtaspa, who embraced Zoroaster’s teachings and had his people adopt the new religion. Zoroastrianism is considered an early influence on Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and one of the first monotheistic religions. It emphasizes that good and evil are separate entities at war with each other, [but there is only one GOD] in the form of Ormuzd (the god of good, creation and truth), both ultimately descended from the Wise Lord, Ahura Mazda. The holy book of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, which includes the hymns of Zoroaster (The Gathas, from which most of his biographical information comes), liturgical texts and prayers.