Gahambars are seasonal festivals of the Zoroastrian calendar and it takes place six times in a single year. The word Gahambar is derived from the Pahlavi word “Gaasamber”. “Gaas ” meaning season and “amber” literally meaning getting together of mass. The Gahambars indicate the origin of the universes manifested by Ahura Mazda, each Gahamber signifies an originating stage of the Universe. There are a total of six Gahambars in a year. Each Gahamber is of a duration of five days.
The Six Gahambars
- The first Gahambar is known as Maidyozarem. The literal meaning of this Gahambar is mid-spring and it is from fourty first to forty fifth day of the year. The 1st Gahambar signifies the first stage which created Luminaries, that is it signifies the birth of the stars and the fire of Universe which at the time of its birth must be hot nebulous cloud.
- The second Gahambar known as Maidyoishem, literally meaning mid summer starts from the hundred first day of the year and lasting up to the hundred fifth day. The 2nd Gahambar symbolizes that when this primitive universe started cooling off, water was created, to enveloping the globe.
- The third Gahamber is known as Paitisayyem, literally meaning the harvest time, generally from 176th day to 180th day. This Gahambar signifies the creation of the planet earth on further cooling of the universe.
- The fourth Gahambar is called Ayathrem that is beginning of winter from 206th day to 210th day of the year. This Gahambar signifies that from the soil of earth the first sign of life that is vegetation came out.
- The fifth Gahambar called Maidhyarem meaning mid winter from 286th to 290th day signifying the evolution of animals from basic protoplasm.
- The last Gahambar called Hamaspathmaedem or the vernal equinox from 361st to 365th day signifying the evolution of mankind on the earth.
Celebrations
The Gahambar is a festival for promoting the spirit of fellowship and brotherhood among people. Liturgical ceremonies are done to thank God for creation of the seasons and their regularity of occurrence. After the ceremonies grand feast is organized which include communal feasting and it forms an important part of the celebration of the Gahambars.
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