Farvardigan · Farvardegan

/fær.vær.de.ˈɡɒːn/

Culture of origin: Zoroastrian · Ancient festival

Holiday sources: Iran · Zoroastrianism

Farvardigan is the ten-day festival of the fravashis, the souls of the dead, at the close of the Zoroastrian year: the last five days of Esfand and the five Gatha days. Al-Biruni recorded that consecrated food was set out for the ancestors, whose spirits were believed to return unseen to their families. Houses are still cleaned and a lamp lit to welcome them, and families pray for their ancestors in the fire temples.