‘Navroz brings us Parsis together and keeps our traditions alive’

At the crack of dawn on Saturday, the usually serene premises of the Bai Maneckbai Nusserwanji Chenoy Fire Temple at Tilak Road was crackling with activity, as hundred-odd members of the

Parsi community

from the neighbourhood gathered to offer prayers at the temple to mark the start of their new year. Little boys with

Parsi

topis on their heads ran around cheerfully; ladies dressed traditionally in colourful saris and headscarves hugged each other while the men folk were heard wishing each other ‘Jamshedi

Navroz Mubarak

!’

“It’s a very special day for us. You can’t miss the festive fervour in any Parsi household on this day. The furniture is decked up in white lace and crochet, adding a touch of the vintage charm. We later bond over a feast, which includes delicacies like fish patia, pulao, patrani macchi, and of course the sweet dishes, which are inevitable,” shares Zubin Vakil, city-based fashion designer, adding, “We’ve also decorated our garden and this is one day when our house is thrown open for everyone. Friends and family drop in all day long to celebrate Navroz with us.” Talking about his favourite Navroz tradition, Jehangir Bisney, trustee of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad (PZASH), says, “On this day, we prepare a traditional Parsi sweet called sev and distribute it among family members, relatives and friends as a token of goodwill. The celebrations go on till late in the night as everybody exchanges gifts and participates in various festivities. In the evening the community gets together for a scrumptious Parsi dinner, which is usually followed by a skit performed by the children and a prize distribution for various activities that happens all year round.”

Despite the festive fervour and gaiety, some can’t help but remark that the celebrations have changed over years. “Navroz celebrations were a huge deal when we were younger. But now people have moved away for studies or work. So the celebrations have dulled down a lot. Yet, Parsis living away from home try to get together with other people from the community because we crave to be with our own people on this day. We try to maintain our traditions and keep doing the things that we do every year no matter where we are. Going to the Fire Temple in the morning and cooking authentic Parsi dishes like Mori Dal, Rava and Sev are a tradition on Navroz which will we pass down to the next generation too, no matter what,” says Farah Bhagat, a resident of Abids. “It’s true that a lot of us live in nuclear families now, and everyone is too busy with work these days. But that doesn’t stop us from coming together on this auspicious day regardless of where we are, or how busy we are. The day begins with vibrant rangolis, decorating the house and wishing all near and dear ones. There is a spirit of bonhomie in the air and the whole day is a celebration,” adds Armaity, a resident of New Parsi colony in Secunderabad.