NOWRUZ

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Context

• Google Doodle celebrated Nowruz with a doodle artwork that represents the theme with spring flowers – tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and bee orchids.

About

• Nowruz is the Persian or Iranian new year which is being celebrated today on 21 March 2023.
• As this festival is being celebrated for more than 3000 years, the origins of this festival are still very blurry.
• The literal meaning of the word Nowruz is 'new day' as it marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the astronomical vernal equinox.
• This spring festival majorly focuses on the concept of love, fertility and spiritual renewal that spreads the massage of hope all across the world.

Date and Timings

• This festival is based on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar, on the spring equinox (for the northern hemisphere) which is on 21 March of the Gregorian calendar.
• Meanwhile, the Parsi community of India will be celebrating this festival in August 2023, according to the Shahenshahi calendar.

History and Significance

• Historically, the day of Nowruz has been observed in the Middle East and parts of Asia even though it has its origins in the Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism and is thus rooted in the traditions of the Iranian peoples.
• Under the Zoroastrian tradition, Nowruz marks the return of the spring spirit over the dark and evil spirit of winter.
• While Nowruz has been celebrated since the reform of the Iranian calendar in the 11th century CE to mark the new year, the United Nations officially recognized the "International Day of Nowruz" with the adoption of Resolution 64/253 by the United Nations General Assembly in February 2010.

Demographics of Parsis in India

• Zoroastrians have lived in the Indian subcontinent since the Sasanian period.
• Due to persecution of Zoroastrians in other countries and the liberal atmosphere and patronization of India, today the largest population of Zoroastrians resides in India, where Zoroastrians have been allowed to play a notable role in the Indian economy, entertainment, the armed forces, and the Indian freedom movement during British Raj. The Zoroastrian groups are regarded as either Parsi or Irani depending on the time of migration to India.
• According to the 2011 Census of India, there are 57,264 Parsis in India, and the 2014 figures indicate there are now 69,000.

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Choose the correct answer with reference to the following statements. A.    According to the 2011 Census of India, there are 10 lakh Parsis in India. B.    Nowruz is the Persian or Iranian new year that marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the astronomical vernal equinox. 1) A only 2) B only 3) Both A and B 4) Neither A nor B Answer: B