Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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initiation ceremony. These garments are considered sacred. They tie the kusti around the sudreh three times to remind themselves of 'Good Words, Good Thoughts, and Good Deeds'. From then on, Zoroastrians traditionally perform this ritual with prayers several times a day. A high priest (Dastur) or an authorised priest (Mobed) officiates at Zoroastrian ceremonies and may be helped by assistants (Eryad Sahebs) to the high priest. The priests wear masks over their faces so that their breath may not contaminate the sacred fire.
Family and community Zoroastrianism is a home and community oriented religion. It supports marriage as contract and celebration. There is no tradition of monasticism or celibacy. Zoroaster himself was a family man and most worship happens in the family home. Zoroastrianism is also about action. Zoroastrians work towards improving the local community and society in general. They tend to give generously to charities and are often behind educational and social initiatives. The Parsi community in India is particularly known for its industrious contributions to Indian society.
Man and God
Unlike some religions where man is God's child or servant, in Zoroastrianism man is considered more as God's helper. Through man's positive choices, evil will be eradicated and God's Paradise on Earth will be established.
Men and women, rich and poor, and young and old are all seen as equal. One only surpasses the other through their righteousness.
Zoroastrian weddings The marriages usually happen within the community. The ceremony includes contract and celebration. Interfaith marriages are not encouraged.
Holy days, feasts and festivals
Festivals are a very prominent aspect of Zoroastrian worship and are closely linked with the prophet and the seasons such as Noruz (the Iranian New Year), Khordad Sal (The birthday of Zoroaster) and seven obligatory feasts. The prayers are conducted by prayers and will engage in ritual washing as part of the ceremony. Zoroastrian funerals Towers of Silence
Zoroastrians believe that as soon as the breath has left it, the body becomes impure. Death is considered to be the work of Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of all that is evil, whereas the earth and all that is beautiful is considered to be the pure work of God. 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.
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