Muktad (Parsi Farvardigan) · Muktad

Culture of origin: Zoroastrian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Zoroastrianism

Muktad, the Gujarati name of Farvardigan, fills the ten days before the Parsi New Year, when the souls of the departed are believed to visit the earth. Families book tables at their fire temple and set out a metal vase for each of their dead, filled with well water and fresh flowers that are brought every day, while priests recite the Afringan, Farokhshi, Stoom and Baj prayers and fruit and vegetarian food are offered. Homes are cleaned for the souls' visit. On the tenth evening a final ceremony bids them farewell. Some fire temples keep up the full eighteen days of prayers.