Gahambar

Gahambar, which means 'full time' or 'proper season', is a Parsi festival held to honor the seasons, six times a year. During the rituals, tribute is paid to the phases or elements responsible for the creation of the world. The six phases - heaven, water, earth, flora, fauna and man are associated with one Gahambar each and is celebrated over five days.

Gahambar is a community festival that aims at reinforcing the feelings of brotherhood and to remind the Parsis of their roots and the good deeds that a true Parsi must do. These deeds are radih (being charitable), rastih (being truthful), celebrating the Gahambars, observing the three-day ceremony after death, worshipping god, building lodgings for the poor, and wishing everyone well.

Gahambar is believed to have been initiated by King Jamshed. It is now held world wide as an important community festival of the Parsis.