Navroze also known as Nowruz is a day that marks Parsi New Year. Navroze 2019 falls on March 21. Parsi New Year celebrates the arrival of spring and thus the renewal of nature on this day. Parsis are originally from Persia and migrated during the Islamic invasion in the seventh century. They follow the religion known as Zoroastrianism founded by the Prophet Zarathustra in Persia more than 3000 years ago. Navroze is also known as Jamshed-i-Nouroz or Jamshedi Navroz after the Persian King, Jamshed, who introduced the Parsi calendar.

In the Iranian calendar, the first month is called Farvardin and Nowruz marks the first day of the month. Nowruz is a Persian word which comes from the words now and ruz. Now means 'new' and ruz means 'day' which means Nowruz signifies a "new day". It also coincides with the Spring Equinox. Parsis wish each other 'Navroz Mubarak' on this day. Nowruz Mubarak 2019 Greetings: WhatsApp Stickers, GIF Images, Quotes and Messages to Wish Happy Parsi New Year.

Nowruz Significance and Celebrations

Nowruz celebrations in Turkey (Photo Credits: IANS Photo)

Nowruz not only falls on Spring Equinox, but also promotes peace and solidarity in families. Parsis believe in promoting good relationships, friendship and mutual affection among people of different communities. On Nowruz, they clean their homes, mend broken items and believe in a fresh start. Parsis dress in traditional attire, visit Fire temple, seek forgiveness for their sins and pray for prosperity. Nowruz 2019: Google Celebrates Parsi New Year With a 'Spring' Doodle.

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They prepare festive delicacies and invite friends and families to celebrate the day together. Visitors at home welcomed by sprinkling rose water. Believers follow an auspicious time to donate to charity or to the poor on this day. Some of the popular dishes prepared on this day include berry pulao, meethi sev dahi, dhansak, prawns, farcha, machchi no patio and lagan nu custard.  Haft Seen or Haft Sin is a tradition custom followed by Parsis on this day. People decorate their tables with seven items that begin with the Persian letter sin or 'S'. The decoration which is called Haft Seen includes apple, garlic, vinegar, dried fruit, sweet pudding, sprouts and berries, all of which Persian names begin with 'S'. In some cultures, live goldfish, decorated eggs, mirror, hyacinth plants and candles are also placed on the table.

Navroze 2019 (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Nowruz is predominantly celebrated by Parsis living in Western and Central Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East. Countries like Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Iraq observe it as a public holiday. In Iran, schools are colleges are given a 14-day long vacation. In India, Parsis live in large numbers in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. We wish everyone celebrating a Happy Navroze!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2019 05:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).