"There was a very happy balance of Parsis, some being introduced for the first time to this midsummer celebration, alongside seasoned Iranian revelers. Even more significant was the astonishing number of young Zoroastrians who were obviously looking forward to the fun built into the program for the day,” noted a report on the Jashn-e-Tirgan celebrations organized by The World Zoroastrian Organisation(WZO)in London on June 30, 2024. Tirgan, the ancient Iranian festival observed in the fourth month, Tir, of the Zoroastrian calendar to coincide with summer solstice, is a celebration of water.
The celebrations at the World Zoroastrian House in Feltham began with a slide show and talk by Dr Ravi Khetrapal whose knowledge of the legends and culture of Iran continue to fascinate WZO members. A part of Ab Zohr (the culminating rite of the yasna ceremony wherein a symbolic offering is made to water to acknowledge its cleansing properties), was recited by WZO resident priest Ervad Fali Madon near the pond located in front of the center, according to the report forwarded by Darayus Motivala, former WZO chair and president.
Top: Ervad Fali Madon; above: congregation outside the World Zoroastrian
House for the Jashn-e-Tirgan celebration
Merriment for the day was provided through archery and water dousing revelry. Tir, meaning arrow in Persian, those present had an opportunity to try their skill with bows and arrows. According to legend, Arash, the ironsmith, shot an arrow into the distance that determined the boundary between Iran and Turan. After years of drought, rain fell on the area where the arrow struck. Tir, derived from the Middle Persian Teshtar and Avestan Tishtriya is also associated with the constellation of Teshtar or Sirius, seen as having a bow and arrow configuration and associated with rain (see "Tirgan, archer in the sky,” Parsiana, July 21-August 6, 2024).
Those who stepped out of the World Zoroastrian House were given a good-natured drenching as per the practice in Iran when water from the rooftops would be poured on passersby. Those who stayed indoors entertained themselves with impromptu dancing to the accompaniment of daf music. With a projector rigged up in the hall, the football match between England and Slovakia was enjoyed by those interested. Lunch that day comprised three different popular Persian fillings in a baguette, followed by strawberries and cream, plus cake.
From l: Dr Mehrbad Khanizadeh, Prof Michael Shenkar and Prof Christian Sahner
Earlier in the month, on June 2, WZO conducted its annual seminar when Dr Mehrbod Khanizadeh from the School of Oriental and African Studies, as also Prof Michael Shenkar and Prof Christian Sahner from Oxford University addressed the gathering. "The range of questions showed how well the audience had engaged with the speakers,” noted the press release.
Khanizadeh’s talk focused on the importance of a colophon (publisher’s imprint usually on the title page of a book) at the beginning of a manuscript that provided the foundation to understand the Avestan version of the Yasna with its Pahlavi translation cum commentary as also ritual instructions. Shenkar referred to Zoroastrianism and other religions prevalent in Sogdiana (corresponding to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) based on the archeological evidence and art of the region. Sahner cited the Pahlavi text Shkand Gumanik Wizir to reinforce that while Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam are all monotheistic religions, it is only Zoroastrianism that propounded Ahura Mazda’s overarching presence over the twin energies of Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu to explain the presence of evil in a world created by an omnipotent, omniscient God.