Feast marks start of Parsi new year

MUMBAI: The Parsi community began its new year, Navroz, on Saturday by visiting the fire temple and rounded off the evening with a lavish meal and, in several cases, a Parsi-Gujarati play.
Pateti, the final day of the outgoing year, was celebrated on Friday.Navroz marks a new beginning after a ten-day period of penance.
Pateti is a day to seek forgiveness for past sins and Navroz the following day signals a fresh start.A senior member of the community, Adi Doctor, explained how in times gone by the new year was always observed on March 21. “However, the Gregorian calendar gains one day every four years which is leap year. Around 500 years ago, the Parsis who came to India abandoned the old calendar and allowed the years to roll. Now the festival falls between March 21 and August,” he said.
Behram Ardeshir, trustee of the Dadysett Atash Behram, makes it a point to work this day albeit for a few hours. “If I work during Navroz, then I will continue to work throughout the year,” he said.
“My wife prepared saas ni machi, sali chicken and pulao dal for the main course and lagan nu custard for dessert. Navroz is one day to just forget everything and do what matters most,” Ardeshir said.