Aug
Ordibeheshtgan or May Day celebration
In our ancient customs, a beautiful celebration was held in May. This festival was called “Ordibeheshtgan” or “Gol Festival”. Ordibeheshtgan is celebrated on the second day of Ordibehesht as nature blossoms. In the ancient calendar, Ordibehesht was the name of the third day of every month, but according to the modern calendar, now this day is celebrated on the second day of Ordibehesht.
Gol means flower garden and you can guess why this day is called Gol festival! At the beginning of Ordibehesht (May), the whole nature is green and the flowers are blooming and beautiful. The trees, meadows, mountains and plains are in the most beautiful state possible, and this gave Ordibeheshtgan even more beauty. That is why this celebration was also known as Gol Jashan. On this day, people wore white and clean clothes and celebrated and danced around the fire.
Amshaspandan are the pure attributes of Ahura Mazda, and the third Amshaspandan that is Ordibehesht, was the representative of law, order and morality in the world. Zoroastrians believe that Amshaspand of Ardibehesht keeps the world away from immorality and sin and establishes the law in the world. In Zoroastrian belief, Ordibehesht is also the guardian of fire, and fire keeps evil and pollution away from the world and is considered a symbol of purity and truth.
To hold the Ordibeheshtgan ceremony, people go to the fire temple or shrine of the city. If the city has more than one fire temple, they go to the largest shrine. They wear white clothes, hats and special headbands and start the ceremony at noon. They light a fire and praise Ahura Mazda, read the Avesta, and praise the truth. Sometimes the ceremony continues until night.
Zoroastrians believe that sin and evil should be avoided on this day more than any other day. They believe that this day brings good and blessings and takes the place of evil and ugliness. After the prayer ceremony, everyone plays music and dances and continues to celebrate until the fire is extinguished.
Ordibeheshtgan is one of the most important twelve festivals and is still held in different places. Happy Ordibeheshtgan, the day of truth and purity and honesty!
