Although the Parsis of India originally emigrated from Persia, they no longer have social or familial ties to Persians, and do not share language or recent history with them. Over the centuries since the first Zoroastrians arrived in India, the Parsis have integrated themselves into Indian society while simultaneously maintaining their own distinct customs and traditions. This in turn has given the Parsi community a rather peculiar standing - they are Indians in terms of national affiliation, language and history. Some of their festivities are given below:

Khordad Sal
The birth anniversary of Zoroaster or Prophet Spitaman Zarathushtra is celebrated as Khordad Sal in August-September. It falls sometime on the sixth day of the Parsi month of Farvardin. In some old Parsi texts, this day is also spoken of as the Navroz-I-Khas, which means `Special New Year`s Day`. Even the real New Year`s Day is referred to as Navroz-I-Am, meaning `Common New Year`s Day`.

The religious lore and texts of the Parsis mention the festival and its importance. In the olden days, the king and nobility, especially, observed Khordad Sal as Navroz-I-Khas. It is said to be the day on which many historic events of old Iran are said to have happened. Later, it came to be observed solely as Zarathushtra`s birthday. Zoroaster or zarathusthra was the founder of the religion. The exact year of Zarathushtra`s birth is not known, but it is accepted that he was born in the beginning of the first millennium BC. Similarly, the day of his birth is also not known precisely.

On this day, Parsis wear new clothes; the house is cleaned and decorated with rangolis. Parsis arrange fragrant flowers prepare delicious meals. The rituals of Jashan, or thanksgiving prayers are offered at the temples. A grand feast is prepared to mark the occasion.

Zarthost No Deeso
It is observed as the death anniversary of Zoroaster. It is not a celebration but a mourning day for Parsis. It falls on June, on Khorshed roz, Dae mah (11th day, 10th month) of the Zoroastrian calendar.

It is believed that Zoroaster was killed in a temple while he was praying. It is marked as a sombre occasion. According to another belief, Zarathushtra in his 77th year was killed in a fire-temple by the Turanian army. It is also said that on this day, Zarathushtra ascended for the skies. Other sources believe that Zarathushtra died in his sleep or was killed by a murderer.

On this day, discourses on life and work of Zoroaster are held. Special prayers are recited and Zoroastrians go to the Fire Temple to pray. However, there are no elaborate celebrations. Zarthost No Deeso is observed in Mumbai and Gujarat particularly.

Jamshed Navroz
Celebration of the festival dates back to over 3000 years when the legendary king of Persia, Jamshedji ascended the throne on the day of `Navroz`. `Nav` means new and `Roz` means day. The day happened to be a vernal equinox. - When the length of the day equals that of the night. Navroz marked the transition from winter to summer. Later, the particular day came to known and celebrated as `Jamshed Navroz Festival`. It is also said; King Jamshedji introduced solar calculation into the Persian calendar and also determined the date when the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, in the beginning of the year. The advent of spring in February-March and the vernal equinox - these are the two events that mark the Jamshed-e-Navroz.

In the Fasli/Bastani variant of the Zoroastrian calendar, this day is always the day of the spring Equinox (nominally falling on March 21st). In the Shahenshahi and Fasli calendars, which do not account for leap years, the New Year`s day has drifted ahead by over 200 days. These latter two variants of the calendar, which are only followed by the Zoroastrians of India, celebrate the spring equinox as Jamshed-i Navroz, with New Year`s day then being celebrated in July/August as Navroz. This day is celebrated as the day of the spring, when Mother Nature casts off everything that is old or super-flows and dresses herself like a young bride in every vibrant colour and hue, rejoicing in her own pure spiritual beauty. Thus, Navroz is a new dawn in everyone`s life.

The Zoroastrians, spread in western parts of India celebrate the Parsi New Year (around March) with prayers, giving of alms and donations, family gatherings and feasts. Some observe it as a day of repentance and reunions. They resolve to put behind them clashes and ill will. To celebrate this day, men, women and even children wake up early, bath and dress up in new clothes. They decorate the threshold and steps of their houses with coloured powders, light incense sticks and sprinkle sandalwood powder on live coals, kept in a censor. All this is not only auspicious but also purifies the air.

Food plays a very important role as a significant part of all Parsi festivals. Parsis being non-vegetarian, fish, mutton, chicken, nuts, spices and fruits are bought a day before and a variety of dishes are prepared for the following day of Navroz. Two special dishes are served. One is the "Ravo" made with Suji, milk and sugar and the other is fried vermiceli cooked in sugar syrup and sprinkled with raisins and lot of almond slivers. After breakfast all the family members go to the nearest Fire Temple or Agyari. In the temple, a "Jashan" - the priest performs a thanks-giving prayer and each one of the congregations offers sandalwood to the Holy Fire. As per the Parsi custom everyone has to cover his or her heads while praying inside the temple. Children put on cops of gold or silver brocade; men put on black velvet caps and the women pull their sari pallus over their heads. After the "Jashan" ceremony all people greet each other by saying "Sal Mubarak".

Fairs were organised, during the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jehan. Aurangzeb abolished the fairs and suppressed Navroz celebrations as un-Islamic in general and un-Sunni in particular. In the case of Parsi festivals, there is the free mixing of men and women. During these Parsi festivals, people from all the classes come together, ignoring social differences to rejoice whole-heartedly and celebrate the festive occasion in friendship, harmony and happiness.

Pateti
Navroz is the Parsi New Year`s day. On 21st of August, the Parsi community celebrates its New Year. It is a time of piety, feasting and rejoicing. Pateti is in fact the eve of the new year of Zoroastrian Calendar. Most of the Parsis in India are followers of the Shahenshahi calendar. So, in India, Pateti falls in August. Outside India, most Zoroastrians follow the Fasli calendar. So, the festival falls in March. Pateti is the last day of the previous year, and the day to close accounts for the year. The significance of Pateti is that, it is the day to dwell on the wrongs or sins one may have committed the previous year, and atoning for them.

The word pateti is derived from Pazend patet, meaning `repentance`. The Zoroastrian tenets are based on the three ideals of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Anything that is out of accord with this is considered a sin. It is natural for anyone to have committed a sin in the course of a year, even if only inadvertently. Pateti is the occasion to redeem oneself by offering patet, or the prayer of repentance, and prepare to greet the New Year with a clean conscience.

On the day of Pateti, the Parsis dress up in new clothes, offer charity and arrange lavish feasts in their homes. Parsis also visit the agyari or the fire temple on this day. The agyari is called as a fire temple because the sacred fire which was brought from Iran once upon a time is always kept burning in the temple by the high priest. The parsis worship Ahura Mazda, symbolised by fire. The parsis on this day, promise to live with good thoughts, use good words and perform the right actions. Meals consist of traditional Parsi dishes, including pulao dal, sali boti, and patra-ni-machchi. After a sumptuous meal, it is time to wish family and friends. It is also a day of thanksgiving, to be grateful to God not just for the joys of life but also the sorrows.

Gahambars
King Jamshed was the first person to observe the festival of Gahambar. Gahambar means `in time` and refers to the six seasonal Zorastrian (Parsi) festivals. Gahambar can be translated to mean `full time` or `proper season`. During the rituals, tribute is paid to the phases or elements responsible for the creation of the world. Four liturgical services are performed during the first four days, and the fifth day is reserved for communal interaction. Celebrations begin with a benediction ceremony called Afrin. It is a prayer of love and praise in remembrance of one`s ancestors.

The Parsi`s observe six seasons, which originally are the agricultural festivals. Each festival is five days in length and corresponds to one of the six days of creation in Zoroastrian cosmology. The days and their associations are: Maidhyozarem (heaven), Maidhyoshem (water), Paitishhayem (earth), Ayathrem (plants), Maidhyarem (animals), Hanaspathmaedem (man). The Maidhyozarem, is celebrated from the 41st day after Navroz. The second one, called Maidhyoshem, is observed 60 days later. Paitishhayem falls 75 days after that. Thirty days later, comes Ayathrem, which celebrates creation and the prosperity that it brings. Then, Maidhyarem, is celebrated 80 days after the fourth. The last, Hanaspathmaedaem, is observed 75 days after Maidhyarem.

Every holy day is divided in 5 watches and every watch is presided by an angel. The yaztas (angels) and the fravashis are honoured next in the Baj prayers. The main Parsi rite, the Yasna, follows this. The last of the four customs for social service is the Pavi. It is a prayer for the particular Gahambar being celebrated. The priest and the faithful pray together during the Pavi. On the fifth day of the Gahambar, there is a solemn feast. People can either donate or serve at the feast. Those who participate are expected to recall not only the blessings bestowed by the seasons, but also the seven main acts that a good Parsi must perform.

As Zoroastrianism developed, Gahambars assumed religious significance. First gahambar is celebrated on the 11th day of the Parsi month Ardibenesth; second on 11th day of Tir; third on 26th day of Shehenever; fourth on the 26th of Meher; fifth on 6th of Dai; sixth on the 1st day of Gatha. Gahamabar has become an important community feasts by all Parsis all over the world. Parsis hold public feasts in Bagh. Such feasts are not popular today. Gahambar is a community festival and pays tributes to God and Creation. It is also one that reinforces feelings of brotherhood. It is aimed at reminding Parsis of their roots and the good deeds that a true Parsi must do. These deeds are radith (being charitable), rastih (being truthful), celebrating the Gahambars, observing the three-day ceremony after death, worshipping god, building lodgings for the poor, and wishing everyone well.