Nowruz

Why in news?

• Nowruz was celebrated in Iran in a diminished fashion amidst the COVID crisis.

About Nowruz

• Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, which is celebrated worldwide by various ethno-linguistic groups.
• Nowruz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 7,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia.
• Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox, and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
• It marks the first day of the first month (Farvardin) of the Iranian calendars.
• It usually occurs on March 21 or the previous or following day, depending on where it is observed.
• The moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year, and families gather together to observe the rituals.
• While Nowruz has been celebrated since the reform of the Iranian Calendar in the 11th century CE to mark the new year, the United Nations officially recognized the "International Day of Nowruz" with the adoption of UN resolution 64/253 in 2010.
• Nowruz or Nauroz is also celebrated by the Parsi community in India as well as some Muslim communities.

Prelims Question

Q.Which of the following is considered as the Persian new year?
a. Losar
b. Nowruz
c. Gudhi Padwa
d. Cheti Chand

Answer to the Prelims Question