History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. IlI.] THE GAHAMBARS. 147

gether and said prayers. The king and the peasant, the rich and the poor, the high and the low, all mixed together, and partook of food and fruit after saying their prayers. The custom is still followed as far as practicable in Bombay. A public feast 1s held of plain food, and all, whether rich or poor, partake of it. By these means social intercourse is promoted, harmony and goodwill towards each other cultivated, and philanthropy engendered. The Mediozarem is the first of the six Gahambars, and lasts for five days, from the 11th to the 15th day of Ardibehesht, the second month.

The second Gahambar falls on the 11th day of the fourth month (Tir). The angel presiding over the Tir Jasan is said to be the dispenser of wealth, and to bring down water from the celestial ocean to fertilise the earth. In times of drought the help of this spirit is invoked.

The third series of Gahambars commences on the 26th day of the sixth month Shehrivar, and is known as the Patasham (the season of gatherig the harvest).

The fourth Gahambar is called Hathrem (summer farewell), and represents the creation of the trees. It is celebrated from the 26th to the 30th day of the seventh month Mehr. In this month the 16th day is observed as a Jasan in honour of the sun.

The fifth Gahambar (Mediarem) denotes the period when the lower animals were created, and