Zoroastrians have seven obligatory feasts, six of which are the gahanbars (or gahambars):
The origins of the gahanbars date back to the pre-Zoroastrian agricultural people of the Iranian Plateau and relate to the changing seasons. They became religious observances in Zoroastrianism and are jovial communal celebrations with feasting and general merry-making.
- Maidyozarem ('mid-spring' feast)
- Maidyoshahem ('mid-summer' feast)
- Paitishahem (feast of 'bringing in the harvest')
- Ayathrem ('bringing home the herds')
- Maidyarem ('mid-year'/winter feast)
- Hamaspathmaidyem (feast of 'All Souls')
The origins of the gahanbars date back to the pre-Zoroastrian agricultural people of the Iranian Plateau and relate to the changing seasons. They became religious observances in Zoroastrianism and are jovial communal celebrations with feasting and general merry-making.
