In the run up to the New Year, city Parsis will be celebrating Muktad - a period where they remember the departed souls. Observed for 10 days, it will begin from Tuesday.

"Muktad is the common word while the more technical work is Farvadegan. We believe that during this period, the souls of all the departed ones and the guardian spirits that are called Fravashi - maker of creation and human beings - descend from heavenly places during these ten days. It is sort of a holiday for them. The period is supposed to be a celebration time for all that the departed souls gave us but since people remember their departed ones, they even mourn," Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia, Principal of Dadar Athornan Insititute, one of the oldest and biggest existing Parsi Seminary in India.

"On this day, we normally pray at home or go to the fire temple," said Viraf Kapadia. He added, "Most Parsis would earlier do the prayers at home but now they have increasingly started going to the fire temple."

Since the day is associated with celebration, Parsis try to take flowers, fruits and light while going to the fire temple or observing the celebrations at home. "Good spirits are attracted by fragrance, prayers and light. So that is what people take with them. The day is meant to express gratitude towards the departed souls and the guardian spirits for what they have done. If we are happy, they are also happy," said Karanjia.