Khordad Sal is the sacred celebration of the birth of Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster), the founding prophet of Zoroastrianism. Observed on the sixth day of the Zoroastrian month of Farvardin, the festival is named after Khordad, one of the Amesha Spentas—divine attributes representing wholeness, perfection, and well-being. Khordad Sal is both a reverent commemoration and a celebration of spiritual light, truth, and renewal.
Zarathustra’s exact historical era remains uncertain—he may have lived anywhere between 1500 and 500 BCE—but his message remains timeless. His revelation of the oneness of Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, and the centrality of Asha (truth, order, and righteousness) laid the foundation for one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. He taught that each human being has the freedom and responsibility to choose between Asha (truth) and Druj (falsehood), and that through good thoughts (Humata), good words (Hukhta), and good deeds (Hvarshta), one may align with divine order and promote the well-being of all creation.
Khordad Sal is not only a birthday observance but a celebration of cosmic renewal and spiritual integrity. It honours a prophet who brought clarity to the moral purpose of life and who envisioned a world in which human beings are co-workers with the divine in cultivating harmony, peace, and justice.
On this day, Zoroastrians gather in fire temples to offer prayers, light sacred fires, and recite hymns from the Avesta, the holy scriptures. The atmosphere is one of devotion and celebration. Homes are cleaned and decorated, new clothes are worn, and families come together for festive meals. Symbolic offerings, such as flowers, fruit, incense, and sandalwood, are made to the fire, representing the inner offering of purity and intention.
Spiritually, Khordad Sal is a day to reflect on one’s path and purpose. Zarathustra’s life models the soul’s journey from confusion to clarity, from division to unity. His teachings offer a framework for navigating the complexities of life with truthfulness, mindfulness, and responsibility. His emphasis on free will makes his message especially relevant—each moment presents a choice, and each choice shapes the world.
Philosophically, the day invites reflection on moral courage. Zarathustra’s monotheism and ethical vision were radical in his time. He challenged the prevailing polytheism, introduced the idea of personal accountability, and redefined the relationship between humanity and the divine. Khordad Sal reminds followers that true faith is not passive, but active—engaged in the world, striving toward justice and harmony.
Culturally, the festival is expressed through song, poetry, and the sharing of food and goodwill. Community events may include lectures, storytelling, and performances that celebrate Zarathustra’s life and teachings. His legacy is honoured not only in religious practice but in the arts, where his luminous presence continues to inspire.
Khordad Sal is ultimately a festival of truth, renewal, and sacred responsibility. It celebrates the light of wisdom born into the world through Zarathustra, and it calls each soul to embody that light through conscious living. In remembering his birth, Zoroastrians renew their own inner flame and recommit to a life guided by clarity, compassion, and courageous truth.
