Zoroastrians in Redridge mark Spring equinox with restaurant meal

Around 40 Zoroastrians gathered "to break bread togther" at Ilford restaurant Cosmo on Friday. Photo credit: Cllr Filly Maravala Archant

Around 40 Zoroastrians came together to celebrate the first day of Spring Equinox last week.

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The festival, known as Naw-Ruz or Noruz, is dedicated to fire.

The borough’s Zoroastrians met at Cosmo Restaurant in Romford to celebrate last Friday (21).

Cllr Filly Maravala, the borough’s first-ever Asian Zoroastrian mayor, said: “It was excellent.

“The kids all got presents to mark the occasion - it was a lovely day.

“Back in Iran (the country where the religion was founded) it symbolises the day where winter turns in and spring comes in.”

According to Zoroastrian belief, many people believe what they do on this day will affect and influence the rest of the year.

Zoroastrians will also mark the occasion by burning sandalwood.

However, Cllr Maravala said the tradition is not possible in Redbridge.

“We do not do that here because we do not have a consecrated fire temple.

“I have got my prayer room at home and we all lit an oil lamp, instead.”