From Navratri to Navroz!

Today is an auspicious day, a day for celebrations across the world. While parts of the country got ready to celebrate the start of navratri; today’s Google Doodle was dedicated to the celebration of the Iranian New Year – Navroz. Also called  Nowruz or Nooroz, the day is dedicated to the celebration of the onset of spring and everything else associated with it. This explains the brightly hued flowers, caterpillars and bees that feature on today’s Google doodle. Primarily a festival of Iranians and those who follow Zoroastrianism, in India and across the globe, it is celebrated by Parsis, Kashmiris and Shia Muslims. The festival involves people cleaning their homes, lighting bonfires and indulging in preparing and serving some traditional delicacies. Food and NavrozHaft Sīn, is the traditional table setting for Navroz. Traditionally and interestingly, it includes seven food items starting with the letter ‘S’ – sabzeh (kind of sprouts), samanu (dessert made from wheat), senjed ( a fruit from oleaster tree) sīr (garlic), sīb (apples), somaq (sumac berries) and serkeh (vinegar). A host of vegetables, nuts, meats and grains go into making the traditional delicacies. In India, the Parsi community celebrates the day with some of the most mouthwatering and delectable preparation, some of those being the classic mutton preparation - Sali boti along with berry pulao (rice with nuts, berries and raisins), patrani machchi (steamed fish) and desserts like falooda, Lagan-nu-custard and so on. The day is spent by visiting friends and relatives, exchanging festive greetings, gifts and good wishes.