A tapestry of light, gratitude and seasonal rhythms weaves through Zoroastrian life, each festival echoing ancient devotion to Ahura Mazda and the natural world.

1. Nowruz (Navroz)
   – Marks the spring equinox, usually on March 21.
   – Symbolizes renewal: housecleaning (“shaking the house”), Haft-Seen table laden with sprouts, apples and candles.
   – UNESCO-listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Nowruz unites communities from Iran to India and beyond. In 2025, thousands gathered in New York’s Central Park for Haft-Seen spreads, proving this festival still shines bright across continents.

2. Gahambars (Six Seasonal Feasts)
   – Celebrated roughly every two months to honor creation’s stages: sky, waters, earth, plants, animals and humans.
   – Communal prayers and vegetarian feasts reinforce charity (Fravashi) and social bonding.
   – Today, diaspora temples in London or Vancouver host modern potlucks, blending ancestral recipes with local produce—come rain or shine.

3. Sadeh
   – Falls in late January, 50 days before Nowruz, celebrating fire’s triumph over winter’s darkness.
   – Bonfires blaze outdoors, priests recite Yasna passages, younger generations roast nuts and chant.
   – Los Angeles’ Westwood community scene rivals the ancient courtyards of Yazd, lighting a beacon of warmth in chilly January nights.

4. Mehregan
   – Autumn festival around October 2–3, honoring Mithra (Mehr), the deity of covenant and light.
   – Tables groan under pomegranates, rice pilaf and sweets. Toasts for truthfulness and friendship fill the air.
   – Iran’s recent push to revive Mehregan has spurred cultural fairs in Shiraz, where saffron stalls and poetry readings blend past and present.

5. Khordad Sal and Zartosht No-Diso
   – Khordad Sal (April/May) celebrates Zarathustra’s birth with fire temple rituals, hymns and floral displays.
   – Zartosht No-Diso (December/January) marks his passing; quieter observances focus on reflection and charity, lighting candles to honor his legacy.

Each of these festivals, like clockwork through the year, reinforces cosmic order (Asha) and community ties. They’re not just dates on a calendar but reminders that even today, ancient faith can spark fresh hope—casting light at the end of the tunnel whenever the world seems dim.