In India, the people of the Parsi religion fled from Persia and reached Gujarat. Since then, they have become permanent residents here. They have made a great impact in India, especially in the business and industry sectors. Although most of the people of this religion are spread all over the world, they live in abundance in India. However, their population is continuously decreasing.

Parsis have a special lifestyle. Their traditions are different. Many of their traditions are unique and strange. Especially the last rites performed by Parsis after death are considered to be the strangest in the world. Let us know which are the 5 traditions of Parsis that are different and special.

1. Tower of Silence
One of the most distinctive traditions is the Tower of Silence or Dakhma, where the dead body is left in front of vultures. This practice stems from the belief that the elements of air, water,, and fire are sacred. They should not be polluted by burial or cremation. Leaving the body in front of carrion birds is considered an act of charity, as it provides nourishment to these birds and allows the body to return to nature without causing any pollution.

Parsis believe that as soon as the breath leaves the body, the body becomes impure. Instead of burying the dead body, the Parsis traditionally placed it on a specially built tower (Dokhma or 'Tower of Silence') so that it remains in sunlight. Predatory birds like vultures can eat it. In Mumbai, an area spread over 57 acres has been created for this purpose. Where the dead body is placed on top of a large circular tower.

This area is surrounded by tall trees. It has been built like a forest. There are many peacocks in it. In this peaceful environment, Parsi Zoroastrians of Mumbai, India perform their last rites. Now the vultures are decreasing which is also a matter of concern for the Parsis.

The funeral practice is called Dakhmenashini. In this, the dead are taken to a tall, circular structure with three concentric rings on the roof. In the middle is a central ossuary. This is called the Dakhma. And here the bodies are kept in the open to rot through weather and carrion birds. Vultures eat the flesh of the dead. Most people know this as a “sky burial”. The “Tower of Silence” in Mumbai is a 300-year-old circular tower called Dungarwadi.

Many traditions of the Parsi religion are strange and many are very unique. (image generated by Leonardo AI)

2. Navjote Ceremony
The Navjote ceremony marks the initiation of a child into Zoroastrianism. During this ritual, children wear a sacred shirt called Sudreh and a lanyard called Kusti. The ceremony includes prayers and blessings, symbolizing their entry into the community and their responsibilities towards their religion.

Program of initiation of a child during Navjot ceremony in Parsi religion (Parsi Religion and its culture Facebook ac)

3. Unique Wedding Customs
Parsi weddings involve distinct rituals, such as the couple being separated by a sheet at the beginning of the ceremony. They perform a ritual in which they throw rice at each other, which symbolizes dominance. The ceremony also includes a purification bath similar to Hindu rituals, which shows the blend of cultural influences in their traditions.

4. Celebrating Navroz
Navroz, or the Parsi New Year, is celebrated with various customs that may seem strange to outsiders. Families visit each other, exchange sweets, and wear traditional attire. A special table called “Haft Sin” is prepared with seven symbolic items beginning with 'S' to signify prosperity and health for the coming year.

5. Use of silver 'ses'
A unique tradition among Parsi women is that they carry a silver plate filled with ritual objects symbolizing the unity and strength of the family called a 'see'. This plate includes objects representing fire, water, plants, and animals, emphasizing their connection to nature and spirituality.

Carry a silver plate filled with ritual objects called 'ses'

Why Parsis avoid bathing in rivers and springs
Water is sacred to them. It is used in purification rituals. Parsis avoid polluting natural water sources. They prefer to draw water from rivers or springs for their rituals rather than bathing directly in them.

Why did the Parsis come to India?
The Parsis fled from ancient Persia during the rise of the Islamic Empire to escape religious persecution. They took refuge in India. It is said that they reached the coast of Gujarat in India in the 8th to 10th centuries in large boats and ships.

How old is Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is based on the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra, who lived 3000 to 3500 years ago. It was the dominant religion in Persia during several dynasties.