Abangan, Aban 10. This festival is one of the ancient Iranian observances, marked in the Shahanshahi calendar on the tenth day of the month of Aban. Abangan is dedicated to the veneration of water and the deity Anahita, who is regarded in Zoroastrian tradition as the guardian of waters. On this day, ancient Iranians would gather by rivers and springs, performing rituals to honor the essential role of water in daily life and agriculture. Within Zoroastrian practice, Abangan was a time for prayers and offerings to Anahita. People would offer flowers and pour clean water onto the earth, seeking blessings for the abundance and purity of water. The festival maintained its significance through various historical periods, especially during the Sasanian era and later in the Pahlavi period, and it continues to be observed in some regions of Iran today. Beyond its religious aspects, the festival provided an opportunity for families and communities to gather, reinforcing social bonds and reminding participants of the vital role of water.
