A Zorastrian Wedding

Many names are used to describe the followers of the ancient faith of Zarathustra-the most common being Zorastrians. The religion, also called Mazdaim comes from the name of the Supreme God Ahura Mazda, and occupies an important place in the sacred book-Avesta. In India, they are commonly referred to as the Parsis-a misnomer, for Parsis are the people who originally migrated from Persia.

To the Zorastrian, marriage is a sacred ritual-by the supreme ordinance of a paternal guardian and the belief that a married man is better suited to endure the rigors of life. The wedding itself is a four-day caremony beginning with the engagement or Adravvum. More of a social occassion than a religious one, this is the first time that the bride's name is linked with the groom's. Presents are exchanged and nuptial songs are sung. The next important caremony is the Mardav Saro or the fertility rite. On this occassion an odd number of women gather in the morning and plant a mango sapling near the front door or in the front courtyard of the bride's home. The mango sapling is believed to be a symbol of fertility.

The third day is the Adarni of the exchange of gifts and rings. On these days caremonies called Varadh Patra are also conducted to honour the dead. With the third day, the pre-marriage caremonies draw to a close.

To solemnise the wedding, an auspicious day is selected. Both the new moon day and the full moon day are considered auspicious on Tuesdays.

As with all other important caremonies, the Zorastrians have the traditional nan or bath before commercing the caremonies. The nan is usually first had with concentrated cow's urine and later with milk and water. This is called the Nirangdin. The priests for the caremony purity themselves by keeping vigil over nine days and nights. During this time the priests have a restricted diet and recite a prayer called vendidad.

Traditionally the bride wears a white sari, Gujarati style, with her head covered. The groom wears a caremonial coat called Dugli or Janna Picholi. He also wears a small cap called Fenta.

Rice and cocunut are widely used in these weddings with rice being a symbol of fertility. In early days animal sacrifice was common but this is no longer prevalent. The presence of fire is a vital element of the wedding.

The bridegroom is welcomed at the door and kumkum is applied to his forehead. The kumkum is long for the groom symbolizing the rays of the sun, and round for a bride as a symbol of the moon which absorbs the sun's rays. The wedding hall is decorated with floral streamers. In the traditional times, marriages in Iran were celebrated with great gusto, while drums and pipes would sound to herald the beginning of the marriage.

The groom also has a little rice sprinkled on his head in keeping with Indian tradition. In other places such as Poland, grains of barley are used instead. The bridegroom then crosses the threshold without stepping on it. The same is observed when the bride goes to bridegroom's home. It is perhaps here that the popular practice of carrying the bride over threshold originated. Some rituals are conducted to ward off evil spirits.

The bride and groom then sit facing each other with a white cloth between them. The right hand of the bride is then put in the right hand of the groom and tied together. This is called hathe varo and is believed to bring the couple together. At the removal of the curtain, the couple throw rice grains at each other-a light and fun interlude in the solemn occassion. The priest then utters his benediction asking the bride, the groom and the witnesses in turn if they are in favour of the marriage, and have agreed to enter into it "till the last days of their recorded times and in righteousness." In keeping with western tradition, rings are exchanged although they are not a part of the traditional caremony. A morsel of rice mixed with curd is exchanged by the couple. With a final benediction from the priest, the marriage is consecrated.

A coin is placed in a silver pot containing water. This is called var behedoon. The sisters of the bride use this water to wash the hands and feet of groom after the caremony. The pot is gifted to the groom. A grand feast follows as all assembled celebrate this eternal union between man and woman.

The priest's Benediction:

Tem zi bi Speredani barani
Ya fedhroi bidat
Psithgaecha bastraeiliga
Atcha khhaetaohe
Ashauni ashahaliga Manangha
Mangheush
Khhenhat hanghush me he et ush 
Mazdao dadat Ahura
Daenagai bourghugai gahoi bispai a

I shall join in marriage each one to the other-you will be faithful to your husband as well as your father, to your workers, your kinsmen and members of your family, and to everyone gathered in this august assembly. And then the full radiance of Vohu Mano Ahura Mazda forever on ye shall bestow. Through him the Good Religion you will have won, and and dwell eternally in Garothman!