What happens at a Zoroastrian funeral?

Contaminating the elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) with decaying matter such as a corpse is considered sacrilege. Instead of burying the corpse, Zoroastrians traditionally laid it out on a purpose built tower (dokhma or ‘Tower of Silence’) to be exposed to the sun and eaten by birds of prey such as vultures.

How do Parsis dispose of their dead?

According to the Vendidad, Zoroastrianism has a unique system of disposal of the dead – dokhmenishini – because cremation pollutes fire, which is considered sacred, and burial is unhygienic. In ancient Iran, the bodies were left on hilltops in pits so that they could be devoured by wild animals or scavenging birds.

What are the rituals and practices of Zoroastrianism?

Purification is strongly emphasised in Zoroastrian rituals. Zoroastrians focus on keeping their minds, bodies and environments pure in the quest to defeat evil (Angra Mainyu). Fire is seen as the supreme symbol of purity, and sacred fires are maintained in Fire Temples (Agiaries).

What is the Tower of Silence in Zoroastrianism?

Dakhma, (Avestan: “tower of silence”), Parsi funerary tower erected on a hill for the disposal of the dead according to the Zoroastrian rite. Such towers are about 25 feet (8 m) high, built of brick or stone, and contain gratings on which the corpses are exposed.

Do Zoroastrians get cremated?

For Zoroastrians, burying or cremating the dead is seen as polluting nature. So for centuries, the Parsis in Mumbai have relied on vultures to do the work — that is, until the entire population of vultures in the city vanished. Without the vultures, the Parsis have had to rely on man-made ingenuity.

What religion do Parsis follow?

Parsi are followers of Zoroastrianism in India. According to Parsi tradition, a group of Iranian Zoroastrians emigrated from Persia to escape religious persecution by the Muslim majority after the Arab conquest.

How many Parsis are left in the world?

This has been linked to growing discontent with Islam amongst Iranians, resulting in conversions to Zoroastrianism. As of 2019, it has been estimated that there are 100,000 to 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide, with around 60,000 Parsis in India and 1,400 in Pakistan….List of countries by Zoroastrian population.

Can Zoroastrians drink alcohol?

Only members of religious minorities – Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians – are allowed to brew, distil, ferment and drink, in their homes, and trade in liquor is forbidden.

What do Zoroastrians celebrate?

These six days are respectively:

• Jashan of Bahman, celebrating animal creation.
• Jashan of Ardavisht, celebrating fire and all other luminaries.
• Jashan of Shahrevar, celebrating metals and minerals.
• Jashan of Spendarmad, celebrating the earth.
• Jashan of (K)Hordad, celebrating the waters.

What is the name of God in Zoroastrianism?

Ahura Mazdā
Ahura Mazdā, (Avestan: “Wise Lord”) also spelled Ormizd or Ormazd, supreme god in ancient Iranian religion, especially Zoroastrianism, the religious system of the Iranian prophet Zarathustra (c. 6th century bce; Greek name Zoroaster).

How many Zoroastrians are there?

About 11,000 Zoroastrians live in the United States, 6,000 in Canada, 5,000 in England, 2,700 in Australia and 2,200 in the Persian Gulf nations, according to the Fezana Journal survey. This is the second major exodus in Zoroastrian history.

What are the rituals of Zoroastrianism?

The central ritual of Zoroastrianism is the Yasna, which is a recitation of the eponymous book of the Avesta and sacrificial ritual ceremony involving Haoma . Extensions to the Yasna ritual are possible through use of the Visperad and Vendidad, but such an extended ritual is rare in modern Zoroastrianism.

How is Zoroastrianism similar to Christianity?

The fact is, Christianity has way more in common with Zoroastrianism than it does Judaism, and here are some of said similarities: the belief in a Supreme Creator Deity the belief that said deity as a trinity the use of epithets to describe said deity which include, “the Almighty,” “the Beginning Without End,” “the All-Knowing,” and “the Most High”

What are the practices of Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrianism practices the threefold path of good thoughts, good deeds and good deeds. Or better yet, good thoughts, good works and good understanding. These practices serves as their ultimate guideline into understanding their way of life and how they see their omnipotent being.

What is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism?

The primary sacred text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta (“Book of Law”), which includes hymns attributed to Zoroaster , instructions for festivals, rituals of purity, and spells against demons. Zoroastrianism was the official state religion of three successive empires in Iran from 550 BCE to 642 CE.