Adar Mah Parab is a sacred observance in the Zoroastrian calendar, celebrated on the day when the day of the month (roz) and the name of the month (mah) both bear the name Adar—the spiritual force associated with fire, divine energy, and inner light. As such, Adar Mah Parab is a festival of fire veneration, a contemplative and joyous occasion that honours the elemental and metaphysical role of fire in Zoroastrian cosmology.
Fire in Zoroastrianism is not worshipped, but revered as the purest symbol of truth, divine presence, and the eternal flame of Asha—cosmic order. Fire is seen as both a physical and spiritual purifier, a medium through which human beings can align themselves with the divine will of Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord. On Adar Mah Parab, Zoroastrians come together in fire temples to offer prayers and gratitude to this sacred element, recognising its power not only in the outer world but within the heart of every soul.
The festival is one of inner and outer illumination. Devotees light lamps and candles in homes and temples, and recite passages from the Avesta, the sacred Zoroastrian scriptures. Offerings of sandalwood, incense, and aromatic herbs are made to the fire, reinforcing the connection between the seen and unseen realms. Families may gather for prayers, storytelling, and the sharing of traditional foods, often those that are warming and fragrant—symbolic of fire’s nurturing and transformative essence.
Spiritually, Adar Mah Parab is a time for the rekindling of clarity, courage, and spiritual purpose. Fire is seen as a reflection of the divine spark within, a call to refine one’s thoughts, words, and actions. It becomes a mirror for the soul—illuminating not only what is noble, but also what must be purified. The fire reminds the faithful that spiritual life requires vigilance, honesty, and a continual return to the flame of truth.
Philosophically, the festival represents the sacred balance of the elements, particularly fire’s role as a life-giving, boundary-crossing force. Fire transforms without being transformed. It gives warmth, light, and purification, but also demands respect. In the Zoroastrian worldview, to protect fire from pollution is a moral act—reflecting the broader principle of caring for creation and honouring the purity of the natural world.
Artistically and symbolically, the imagery of fire is deeply woven into Zoroastrian identity. From the ever-burning flames of ancient fire temples to the eternal light carried in prayers, fire signifies continuity and sacred presence. On Adar Mah Parab, the physical act of tending a flame becomes a spiritual practice—an outward gesture of the soul’s inward yearning for harmony and illumination.
Adar Mah Parab is ultimately a celebration of divine light—within nature, community, and self. It is a day to stand in reverence before the sacred fire, to renew commitment to truth and righteous living, and to honour the enduring flame that connects all life to its divine origin. In the glow of Adar, the soul remembers its source and rededicates itself to walking the path of light.
