World ReligionsZoroastrianism (Parsi)
A short, neutral introduction: origin, texts, beliefs, practice, holy days and how to visit.
- Also called
- Zarathushti Din
- Origin
- Ancient Iran, with the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), at a date that scholars place between about 1500 and 600 BCE.
- Texts
- The Avesta, whose oldest part is the Gathas, hymns ascribed to Zarathustra.
- Place of worship
- An Agiary or Atash Behram (fire temple), open only to Zoroastrians.
Main beliefs
- One supreme God, Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord; the choice between truth (asha) and the lie (druj).
- The ethic of good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
- Life after death and a final renewal of the world.
Practice
The sacred fire is kept burning in the fire temple; the thread (kusti) and sacred shirt (sudreh) are worn after the navjote initiation; prayers are said facing a light.
Holy days and festivals
Navroz (new year), Khordad Sal, the Gahambars (seasonal festivals) and Muktad days.
Visiting a place of worship
Fire temples are closed to non-Zoroastrians; Parsi community events are often open by invitation.
A note
The Parsis of India came from Iran over a thousand years ago and are a small community with a very large contribution to Indian life.
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Questions people ask
Where did Zoroastrianism begin?
Ancient Iran, with the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), at a date that scholars place between about 1500 and 600 BCE.
What is the holy book of Zoroastrianism?
The Avesta, whose oldest part is the Gathas, hymns ascribed to Zarathustra.
What should a visitor to a place of worship know?
Fire temples are closed to non-Zoroastrians; Parsi community events are often open by invitation.
This is a short, neutral introduction written from widely agreed facts. Every faith has many traditions and its members may describe it differently; for a true account, ask a member of that faith. We state no figures and no dates of moveable festivals.