This page looks at Zoroastrian gahanbars, which are obligatory feasts.
Last updated 2009-10-02
This page looks at Zoroastrian gahanbars, which are obligatory feasts.
Zoroastrians have seven obligatory feasts, six of which are the gahanbars (or gahambars):
Maidyozarem ('mid-spring' feast)
Maidyoshahem ('mid-summer' feast)
Paitishahem (feast of 'bringing in the harvest')
Ayathrem ('bringing home the herds')
Maidyarem ('mid-year'/winter feast)
Hamaspathmaidyem (feast of 'All Souls')avesta.org, Zoroastrian Religious Calendar
The origins of the gahanbars date back to the pre-Zoroastrian agricultural people of the Iranian Plateau and relate to the changing seasons. They became religious observances in Zoroastrianism and are jovial communal celebrations with feasting and general merry-making.