Nowruz

 Nowruz (also spelled as Norouz or Nouruz) is the Persian New Year and a traditional festival that marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The word "Nowruz" means "new day" and the festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in various countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian countries.

Nowruz usually falls on March 21st or 22nd, and it is considered the most important holiday in the Persian calendar. The festival typically lasts for 13 days and is a time for families and friends to gather, exchange gifts, and share traditional meals. The celebration usually involves cleaning the house, buying new clothes, and preparing special dishes.

One of the most important traditions of Nowruz is the Haft-Seen table, which is a table decorated with seven symbolic items that start with the letter "S" in Persian. These items include Sabzeh (wheat or lentil sprouts), Samanu (sweet pudding made from wheat germ), Senjed (dried fruit of the oleaster tree), Seer (garlic), Seeb (apple), Somaq (sumac), and Serkeh (vinegar).

Nowruz is a time for renewal, hope, and new beginnings. It is also recognized as an international holiday by the United Nations General Assembly.

Nowruz has its roots in ancient Zoroastrianism, which was the dominant religion of the Persian Empire before the arrival of Islam. The festival has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years and has become an important cultural tradition for millions of people in the Persian-speaking world and Central Asia.

During Nowruz, people participate in a number of customs and traditions, such as:

Chaharshanbe Suri: On the eve of the last Wednesday of the old year, people light bonfires and jump over them to symbolize the purification of the soul and the coming of the new year.

Khane Tekani: A few days before Nowruz, families clean their homes thoroughly and purchase new clothes to wear during the holiday.

Sabzeh Barooni: People grow lentil or wheat sprouts in small pots and place them on the Haft-Seen table. It is believed that the sprouts symbolize new growth and renewal.

Sizdah Bedar: On the 13th day of the new year, people spend the day outdoors and have picnics with family and friends. It is believed that spending time outside brings good luck for the coming year.

Nowruz is celebrated in many different ways across the world, but the underlying themes of renewal, hope, and new beginnings remain the same. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the start of a new year, and to look forward to the possibilities that the future holds.