Rituals and Symbolism: Parsis in Gujarat
From: In memory of Greater Iran: Zoroastrians of Navsari Photography and captions: Sarah Jabbari Source: Sahapedia
" 'God is one' is a common idea among Parsis of India, therefore religious icons from non-Zoroastrian religions are also kept in their house and workplace. A sticker of Farre Kiyani (top) share space with Laskhmi (bottom), the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. The symbol of Farre Kiyani (also referred to as ‘Fravahar’ in Iran and India) is a depiction of divine protection of God on people through the wise righteous king. The symbol is very ancient and has been represented in the art of the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE) and is widely used as a symbol of national identity among modern Iranian people and symbol of religious identity among Parsis of India."
"Mobed Ayush Sharukh Desai offering prayers as part of his initiation to priesthood. Sharukh is from the Desai family of priests, who occupy a high status in the Parsi society at Navsari. The fire-holder in which the sacred fire is held is called Afargan, and it must be placed on a marble stone. Sandalwood is usually burnt in the Afargan and a small diya is also lit next to it. During the ceremony, priests cover their mouth to avoid contamination of the fire. Even the hair must be entirely covered by wearing a turban or a skull cap, because in Zoroastrianism, fallen hair is considered impure."
"Priests doing the Jashan ceremony at the house of Mrs Keshmira, for blessings of the family members. The word Jashan is a latter form of the word ‘yasna’ which means veneration. Jashan is a simple ceremony, can be held on any day of the year. In this ritual, Ahura Mazda, the Fravashis, Daham Yazad and Sarosh Yazad are invoked by the recitation of certain prayers. Participation in a Jashan ritual by Zoroastrians is considered as an act of great merit."
"The marriage union is called Payvand-e-Zanshooi, meaning the union of matrimony. A couple of Zoroastrian priest, one from the bride’s side and one from the groom’s side, perform the rituals on the day of the wedding. The priests face the couple, and family members form a circle around them while Avesta prayers are recited and rice thrown on the couple. All participants must be standing during the ceremony which takes about one hour, and all heads must be covered. Non-Zoroastrian or a Parsi without sudra and kushti or without hair covering are not allowed to stand in the circle."The marriage union is called Payvand-e-Zanshooi, meaning the union of matrimony. A couple of Zoroastrian priest, one from the bride’s side and one from the groom’s side, perform the rituals on the day of the wedding. The priests face the couple, and family members form a circle around them while Avesta prayers are recited and rice thrown on the couple. All participants must be standing during the ceremony which takes about one hour, and all heads must be covered. Non-Zoroastrian or a Parsi without sudra and kushti or without hair covering are not allowed to stand in the circle."
"The white bull is considered a sacred animal in Zoroastrianism; in Gujarati it is called Varasyaji. The bull is kept at the Doongerwadi because the urine (Taro) of this virgin bull is used in ritual cleansing of the dead body during funerary rites. The Varasyaji is an albino, hence very rare to find. The bull must be completely white, without even one black hair. Even the eye lashes and tail hair is white. According to Zoroastrian mythology, Varasyaji is a representation of Gava-ayok-daat, which is the first animal created by Ahura Mazda. It got killed by the Devil, Ahreeman, but many other animals, plants and minerals were created out of its dead body. It is born as the Pesh Ruwan (spiritual leader) of the animal kingdom."
"Wearing the sudra and kushti is an essential part of the daily lives for Zoroastrians. Wearing the Sudra is believed to offer protection from evil. This act of untying and tying the kushti is supposed to be done five times (though not every kushti wearer sticks to that number) in a day and the act is called Nirang-i-Kushti. Here, Mr Kersi Patel is at his daily prayer performing Nirang-i-Kushti. When doing the prayer, he unties the kushti from around his waist and holds it up in both hands, the strand doubled over, and lifts it to touch the forehead and eyes."
