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

CHAP. III.] THE JAMSHEDI NAOROZ. 149

who was the first to celebrate it in Persia. It is also called Sultani Naoroz, and goes back for thousands of years. On this day the sun enters the sign of Aries, and it is also the day on which the ancient Persians began their new year and made great rejoicings. The Parsi new year’s day ought to commence from this date instead of the Pateti day, as it does at present. We have explained, in previous’ pages, the neglect of the Indian Parsis in not adding one whole month every hundred and twenty years to make up for the deficiency caused by their omitting to take into account one-fourth of a day at the end of the year. This day is observed by the Parsis as a oreat holiday. In Bombay the native Freemason lodges celebrate this festival.

Zarthoshti Diso.—Vhe prophet Zoroaster is said to have died at the age of seventy-seven years at Bactria, the capital of the Kayanian kings. The 11th day of the tenth month Deh is the anniversary of his death, and is kept with pious observances.

The Muktad.—The name Muktad, which is said to be corrupted from muktiatma, the soul that has passed from purgatory into paradise, is used to designate the last ten days of the Zoroastrian year, including the last five days of the last month Spendarmad, and the five intercalary days called the Gatha Gahambars. These are dedicated to the pious Frohars (Fravashis in the Avesta), the so-called