Mehregan · Jashn-e Mehregan

/meh.re.ˈɡɒːn/

Culture of origin: Iranian · Ancient festival

Holiday sources: Gilak · Iran · Mazandarani · Zoroastrianism

Mehregan honours Mithra (Mehr), the Zoroastrian yazata of friendship, covenant and love, and has long been tied to the autumn harvest. Under the Sasanians it was second only to Nowruz, and kings were usually crowned on one or the other; legend sets Fereydun's victory over Zahhak on this day. Zoroastrians in Yazd, Kerman, Tehran and Shiraz still hold its ceremonies, as do rural communities in Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan.