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 Gahambar, counted as one of the most popular Zoroastrian festivals, is celebrated by Zoroastrians all over the world. Gahambar is the term, which literally means proper season, when translated into English. Interestingly enough, Gahambar is celebrated by the Parsis six times in the year. People celebrate this festival to pay tribute to the seasons.
Gahambar Festival celebrates nature worship. People pay homage to the different phases of the natural elements during this festival. The six different phases of the Gahambar celebration are heaven, water, earth, flora, fauna and man. This nature worship is done with great devotion and sanctity.
Gahambar pays tribute to the six phases, which are related to the creation of the world. The celebration of the festival continues for more than five day and involves lots of enjoyment and fanfare. This festival is unique to the Zoroastrian community, where the people of this faith worship Gods and Creation. Several rituals are involved in making this festival a successful as well as grand. It fosters the feeling of universal brotherhood among all the citizens.
This festival wipes out the all discrimination and treats all people as equal. During this festival, people from all walks of life gather here to celebrate Gahambar. People unite on this day forgetting all differences. This festival serves a special purpose as it reminds the Parsis of their true roots and origin.
During the Gahambar festival, people devote themselves in doing various good deeds. It teaches people to be truthful and charitable. People also build homes for the poor people during this festival. People engage themselves in various social works as well.
During the first four days of the festival, four rites of public worship services are carried out. Communal interaction is done on the fifth day. Gahambar celebration starts with a benediction ceremony, which is popularly known as Afrin. During this ceremony, prayers of love and in praise for the ancestors are done so as to mark this festival. Another important part of the Gahambar is the Baj prayers. During this festival, Yasna is strictly followed. Pavi is a prayer of the Zoroastrian that is performed during this festival. Feast is organized on the fifth day.
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