Farvardigan, Third Day (Esfand 27, Shahanshahi calendar)
Farvardigan, Third Day (Esfand 27, Shahanshahi calendar) is a Zoroastrian observance that was officially registered in the Shahanshahi calendar in the year 2535 Shahanshahi.
Farvardigan, also known as the festival of Hamaspathmaedaya, is a ten-day period during which Zoroastrians honor the spirits of the deceased and pay tribute to their ancestors.
This tradition has deep roots in ancient Iranian culture, with families lighting fires and placing flowers and offerings at graves to remember loved ones.
In 2535 Shahanshahi, with the formal adoption of the Shahanshahi calendar and as part of efforts to revive ancient rituals and reinforce national identity, several Zoroastrian observances, including Farvardigan, were specifically included in this calendar.
The third day of this period was set on Esfand 27 of that year, as part of cultural policies during the Pahlavi era to highlight Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage.
This initiative was carried out by governmental and cultural institutions to strengthen connections to Iran’s historical past.
On this day, Zoroastrians and those interested in Iranian traditions held special gatherings, recited passages from the Avesta, and reflected on ancestral values.
The inclusion of this observance in the Shahanshahi calendar was explicitly made in 2535 Shahanshahi to emphasize ancient rituals and national identity.