• One of the oldest religion in the world from Persia.
• Founded by Prophet Zarthustra around 3000 BC, who was born in Azerbeijan near the Aral sea region and was a great Persian religious reformer and founder or the
• Zoroastrian religion.
• The first religion to propogate Monotheism, belief in one Almighty God Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom.
• The holy book of the Zoroastrians is known as Zend Avesta.
• The original verses / prayers written by Zarthustra are known as Gathas.
• Zoroastrianism was the state religion of Persia until 700 AD.
• Zarthustra teaching became the guiding light of the Persian civilization.
• Zoroaster died at the age of 77, daring the invasion of Persia by the Turaniams.
• In 700 AD. the Zoroastrians had to leave Persia due to persecussion and landed on the shores of India.
• The Zoroastrian / Persian immigrants in India are called Parsis because most of them came from the province of Parsa in Persia.
• The religious prayers mainly emphasize on Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds (Humata, Hukhata, Huvareshta).
• Place of worship is called Agiary and Atash Behram.
• Celebrate their New Year, as a spring festival on 2 l st March.
• Do not believe in reincarnation.
• Do not believe in fasting.
• Children are brought into the religion before the age of puberty.
• The ceremony is called Navjote. Other important ceremonies are Jashan, Lagan (Wedding), Gambhar, Faresta, Mukhtad.
• Zoroastrians believe that everyone in the world are created by God and are equal, a true sign of the real ancient Aryan nobility and tolerance.
• Cyrus, King of Persia also known as “King of Kings” was an Aryan who helped rebuilt the temple of the Jews after freeing them from captivity in Babylon.
• For this, he is still remembered by the Jews and called the “Anointed of the Lord” in the Bible.

Parsi Association, Singapore rghadia1@irf.com