Zoroastrians celebrate Sadeh festival in Iran

31 January, 2013

The followers of Zoroastrianism religion, who are in minority in Iran, celebrated Sadeh festival on Tuesday, January 29. Zoroastrianism dates back to pre-Islamic era of the country and was once the most dominant religion of this region, which was a part of Persian Empire.

Dressed in white, the Zoroastrian priests recited verses from their Holy Book Avesta. The followers carried torches and lit a huge bonfire to dance around on the outskirts of Tehran.

During Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion. Later, when Muslim Arabs invaded and conquered Persia in the seventh century, most people converted to Islam. During Sadeh feast people thank God for the creation of fire that gives light and warmth with an inherent nature of Ahura Mazda or Absolute Goodness.

Once upon a time, Zoroastrianism, based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, was one of the world's largest religions. It was a dominant religion up to the 6th century BCE in the eastern part of ancient Greater Iran. Later, with the spread of Islam, this ancient religion got marginalized.

In Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda is believed to be the beginning and the end, the creator of everything that can and cannot be seen, the Eternal, the Pure and the only Truth. Ahura Mazda was perceived to be the creator of only the good that will ultimately triumph. The followers of Zoroastrianism believe in good thoughts, good words and good deeds.

Currently, over 20,000 Zoroastrians are left in Iran. Over years, most of them have migrated to other countries. In India, a small religious community that follows Zoroastrianism, exists mostly in Mumbai. The followers are called Parsis because the religion arrived in India from Persia. Their God is represented in their temples through fire, which symbolizes light. For, Indian Parsis, the holiest place is the village of Udvada in Gujarat.