Directory_and_Chronicle_1881 — Page 51

PARSEE FESTIVALS AND OBSERVANCES.

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ARDIBEHEST JASAN.-This festival, as its name implies, is ma ntained in honour of Ardibebest Amshaspond, the angel controlling the sacred fire, that element being one of the wonders of divine creation. The fire-temples are crowded on this day, sandalwood is offered to the sacred flame, and prayers offered to the Supreme Deity.

THE NOWROZ.-The fifth on the list is the celebrated Nowroz, called by some the Nowroz í-Jamshid or the Nowroz í-Sultan, the King's day. This celebrated festival falls generally about the 21st day of March, and corresponds with our Vernal Equinox. This day is observed by the modern Persians, the Arals, the Turks, and several other Asiatic nations for the computation of the s lar year, and for State purposes, such as the collection of revenue, and the arrangements for the agricultural operations of the year. Eastern writers date the origin of this festival from the time of Jamshid, the third King of the Peshdadian dynasty of Persia. Jamshid is supposed by Bailly to have flourished 3,209 years before Christ; the Shah Namah celebrates him as the first King of his race, who introduced civilisation among mankind and establi hed the computation of time. If we are to believe the Persian writers, the exquisite bas-reliefs among the ruins of Persepolis-still visible in beauty after a lapse of two thousand years are representations of the Court of Jamshid, more especially on the festival of the Nowroz. The sculptures at this place contain representations of the Courts of ancient Persia, with the long train of attendants bringing offerings to the feet of Monarchs; and as the Nowroz is a sort of "revenue settlement" day, when the chiefs of different provinces lay their annual contributions before the throne, and are allowed audience with the monarch, the idea of a part of the Persepolitan bas-reliefs being a picture of sonce ancient King of Persia holding his Court on the day of the Nowroz does not appear to be without foundation. In Persia this festival is kept for several days with unusual pomp by all the inhabitants, whether Mahomedans or Parsees. In India it is simply a day of rejoicing.

AVA ARDUI SUR JASAN.-Ava, in the Zend text, is the name of the angel who presides over the sea, aud this "Jasan," or festival, is held in bis honour. The Parsees are required on this day to approach the sea shore, or any stream of water, and chant the Zend prayers, but owing to their long residence in India they have borrowed many Hindu rites in the observance of this holiday, and offerings of sugar, cocoanuts, flowers, &c., to the sea, are not uncommon. The better-informed portion of the community, however, do not join with their brethren in these superstitious acts. In Bombay a fair is held on the Esplanade in honour of this festival.

ADAR JASAN.-Adar, another synonym for fire, is the name by which the ninth month of the Parsee year is called. This is the most sacred of the twelve months, and the ninth day of that month is held in great respect and sanctity. On this day the fire temples are very much crowded, and offerings of sandalwood are made to the sacred flame, and money distributed among the priests.

Besides the above, there are the festivals of Meher Jasan, the Bahman Jasan, and a few others of less importance, all of which are partially observed,