Gahambars

The seasonal festivals, called gahambars (meaning "proper season"), occur six times a year. Due to the peculiarities of the Shahenshahi and Kadmi variants of the Zoroastrian calendar, in those variants the seasonal festivals are actually celebrated many months in advance and are therefore said to reflect the six "primordial creations" of Ahura Mazda, otherwise known as the Amesha Spentas. Each of these festivals is celebrated over five days. The six festivals are:[1]

  • Maidyozarem Gahambar ('mid-spring' feast), Apr 30 - May 4
  • Maidyoshahem Gahambar ('mid-summer' feast), Jun 29 - Jul 3
  • Paitishahem Gahambar (feast of 'bringing in the harvest'), Sep 12 - Sep 16
  • Ayathrem Gahambar ('bringing home the herds'), Oct 12 - Oct 16
  • Maidyarem Gahambar ('mid-year'/winter feast), Dec 31 - Jan 4
  • Hamaspathmaidyem Gahambar (feast of 'all souls', literally 'coming of the whole group'), Mar 16 - Mar 20

References

  1. Gahambar, Building & Celebrating Community, heritageinstitute.com, Zoroastrian Heritage, Author: K. E. Eduljee
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