Mehregan

Table at the Persian Autumn Festival Mehregan in the Netherlands, 2011.

Table at the Persian Autumn Festival of Mekhregan at the Asia-Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (University of Malaysia) by Persian students, 2011.

Mehregan ( Mihragan , pers. مهرگان ) or Jashn-i-Mehragan - Iranian and Zoroastrian festival in honor of Mithras ( Pers. Mehr / Mihr ), deities of contract, trust, friendship and love.

Mehregan is an Iranian holiday, and perhaps even more ancient, but this remains a matter of speculation. In the IV century BC. er it was created as one of the Zoroastrian holidays, and it persists even today, after the Islamization of Iran , celebrated by the whole society.

Mehregan is a birthday party. Birthday holidays in Zoroastrianism are celebrated with the coincidence of the deity of the day and month. Only 11 of these holidays. Of these, only two remain in present-day Iran - this is Mehregan in honor of Mithra / Mehra and Tiregan in honor of Tishtri / Tire.

Mekhregan falls on day 196 of the calendar year. In particular, for calendars that Nouruz ( March 21 ) accept at the beginning of the year, Mehregan falls on October 2 .

Outside Zoroastrianism, Mekhregan is perceived as a national harvest festival.

The Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Mitra Purnimu , the Indo-Aryan version of Mehregan, on the full moon of the autumn month of Ashwina or Ashwaiju. That night, they remember Mithra, the divine patron of honesty, friendship, and contract. The next morning is called Mithra Prabhat ("Morning of Mitra"). The lotuses, petals of roses and marigolds are washed in the waters of the Vitasta River (now the Viet and Jelam ) or in the waters of the Ganges , and together with walnuts, fruits and milk or milk sweets are laid out on a platter in honor of Mithras.

Children bathe in the same Vitaste or Ganges, and dress in bright red, orange or yellow silk clothes, representing the shine of the glory of Mithras. Games are held for children, so that they lead to the formation of new friendships. Fruits, nuts, milk and sweets offered by Miter are distributed, and clothing and blankets are given to those in need. Nadra (lotus stem) on this day is prepared as prasadam . In the Vedas, Mithra also represents the morning sun.