Proclaimed by the United Nations (UN), the International Day of Nowruz, is celebrated on March 21 to begin the Persian New Year and spring festival by the followers of Zoroastrianism and others. Zoroastrianism is one of oldest religions once had the largest numbers of followers in world.
UNESCO has declared Nowruz / Navroz festival as one of the intangible cultural heritages and UN has recognized March 21 as International Nowruz Day.
The observance provides an opportunity to know the ancient culture and its spiritualism, customs, traditional songs, music, dancing, rituals, foods, poetry, games and folk story-telling skills.
UN Chief Antonio Guterre, in his earlier message said, “For all of us, it is a chance to reaffirm our commitment to peace, human rights and human dignity; to fostering dialogue and mutual respect; to protecting the planet and building a future that leaves no one behind.” Thus,tThe International Day of Nowruz is celebrated in a spirit of friendship, mutuality, reconciliation and harmony.
The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia wrote, “Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Nowruz (21 March), this day is the official beginning of a new year in more than 10 countries.”
According to the UN, this joyous occasion has been celebrated for over 3000 years. Nowruz is a time of festivities, with numerous gatherings amongst family members, relatives and friends.
In India, the day is celebrated by Parsi community marking the beginning of spring and the entire Zoroastrian population in the world.
Essentially, Navroz, I India, is a pagan pastoral event celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and the Parsi celebrants who wear new clothes along with caps and silver kurtis. The festivities on this day symbolize happiness, brotherhood, harmony and amity.
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