Farvardinegan or Farvardog (Furudog) is a Zoroastrian ceremony that takes place on Farvardin 19th (April 8th) to remember the deceased. It is celebrated as a feast, and the spirits of the deceased are called to unite in their joy.

Farvardin is the name of the first month of the year in the Iranian calendar and derives from the word “Fravahar”. It refers to the choice of leading a moral life. To Iranian Zoroastrians, Fravahar is used to describe the soul of an individual. It is the guiding spirit of human beings assigned by God that returns to God after death. Thus, the festival of Farvardinegan is the remembrance day for the Fravahars and the souls of the departed.

From the morning of the 19th of Farvardin, Zoroastrians from different neighborhoods and villages head to the graves of their dear ones and revere their departed, pray to Ahura Mazda, recite Avesta (the sacred book of the Zoroastrians) for the Fravahars. They burn agarwood and olibanum for the peace of the souls and put plants, fruits, candles and laraks (a combination of seven dried fruits) on the graves.

Photos: Farvardinegan Ceremony across Iran, 2016

They also bake and cook local breads and foods which are served in traditional ceremonies. A tablecloth (Sofreh) is strecthed for the loved ones to pay respects and homage in special rooms allocated for this purpose. Feeling the absence of their loved ones, the families pray for the happiness of their departed soul and bring flowers, fruits and sweets.

Thousands of Zoroastrians across Iran participate in this ceremony in cities like Yazd, Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Tehran, Kerman, Taft, etc.

Sources: amordadnews.com (Yazd), amordadnews.com (Isfahan), amordadnews.com (Tehran), amordadnews.com (Kerman), Honar Online (Tehran), berasad.com (Tehran I), berasad.com (Tehran II), berasad.com (Yazd), berasad.com (Cham Village, Yazd), berasad.com (Kerman), Wikipedia | Farvardinegan, berasad.com