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About Parsi New Year

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About Parsi New Year

The Parsi New Year, called Navroz, is the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Shahenshahi calendar followed by most Parsis in India. Because that calendar has no leap year, the day moves slowly through the year and now falls in mid August.

Parsis are Zoroastrians whose ancestors came from Iran to Gujarat more than a thousand years ago. The day before is Pateti, a day of reflection and repentance; the new year itself is a day of joy.

Families clean their homes, draw chalk rangoli of fish and flowers at the door, hang garlands of roses and jasmine, wear new clothes and visit the Agiary or fire temple to pray. Breakfast is sweet sev and ravo, and lunch is a feast of dhansak, sali boti, patra ni machhi and falooda, shared with friends who drop by with Saal Mubarak.

  • Usually August in India
  • Shahenshahi calendar
  • Jamshedi Navroz falls in March

Where it began

Navroz means new day. Persian tradition links the new year with the legendary King Jamshid. Zoroastrians who settled in India, now known as Parsis, kept the old calendar of their homeland.

The Shahenshahi calendar used by most Parsis has no leap year, so its new year has moved over the centuries and now falls in late summer. The spring Navroz, called Jamshedi Navroz, is also kept on 21 March.

How it grew over time

  1. Ancient Persia

    Navroz is kept as the new year in the Persian world.

  2. 8th to 10th centuries

    Zoroastrians settle in Gujarat, later known as Parsis.

  3. 18th century

    Different Parsi groups come to follow different calendars.

  4. Today

    Parsi families in Mumbai, Gujarat and abroad keep the new year with joy.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Mumbai

    Fire temples fill with prayers, and families share sali boti, patra ni machhi and falooda.

  • Gujarat

    Udvada and Navsari, old Parsi towns, draw visitors to their fire temples.

  • Iran and Central Asia

    Nowruz in March is a great spring festival with the haft-sin table.

Parsi New Year today

Homes are cleaned and decorated with rangoli and garlands. Families wear new clothes, pray at the fire temple, give to charity and share a big lunch, then greet friends with Navroz Mubarak.

How people celebrate Parsi New Year

  • Chalk rangoli at the door
  • Flower garlands (toran)
  • Prayers at the Agiary fire temple
  • Sweet sev and ravo for breakfast
  • Dhansak, sali boti and patra ni machhi
  • Falooda
  • Visiting friends and family

How to wish well

  • Navroz Mubarak or Saal Mubarak are the usual wishes. Happy Parsi New Year is fine in English.
  • Some Parsis and Iranis keep Jamshedi Navroz on 21 March instead or as well; check which day your friends celebrate.
  • A line about good thoughts, good words, good deeds (Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta) suits the day well.
  • Gentle jokes about the big lunch are part of the fun; keep the fire temple and prayers respectful.

Questions about Parsi New Year

When is the Parsi New Year 2027?

The Parsi New Year (Shahenshahi) falls on 15 August 2027. It moves one day earlier after each leap year, so it is on 14 August from 2028.

What do you say on Parsi New Year?

Navroz Mubarak or Saal Mubarak, meaning happy new year.

Is Parsi New Year the same as Nowruz?

Both mean new day. Jamshedi Navroz, on the spring equinox around 21 March, is the Persian Nowruz. The Parsi New Year in August follows the Shahenshahi calendar.

Why does the Parsi New Year date change?

The Shahenshahi calendar has 365 days and no leap day, so each leap year it slips one day earlier in the Gregorian calendar.

What food is made on Parsi New Year?

Sweet sev and ravo for breakfast, and a lunch of dhansak, sali boti, patra ni machhi, pulao and falooda.

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