This is one of the oldest religions on earth and was founded in Persia by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in the 6th or 7th century BC. He was born in Mazar-i-Sharif in what is now Afghanistan. At one time Zoroastrianism stretched all the way from India to the Mediterranean but today is found only around Shiraz in Iran, Karachi in Pakistan, and Bombay in India. The followers of Zoroastrianism are known as Parsis since they originally fled to India to escape persecution in Persia.
Zoroastrianism was one of the first religions to postulate an omnipotent and invisible god. Their scripture is the Zend-Avesta, which describes the continual conflict between the forces of good and evil. Their god is Ahura Mazda, the god of light, who is symbolized by fire. Humanity ensures the victory of good over evil by following the principles of humata ro good thoughts, hukta or good words and huvarshta or good deeds.


Parsis workship in fire temples and wear a sadra or sacred shirt and a kasti or sacred thread. Children first wear these sacred items in a ceremony known as Navjote. Flames burn eternally in their fire temples but fire is worshipped as a symbol of God, not for itself. Because Parsis believe in the purity of elements they will not cremate or bury their dead since it would pollute the fire, earth, air or water. Instead they leave the bodies in ‘Towers of Silence’ where they are soon cleaned off by vultures.
Although there are only about 85000 Parsis, concentrated in Bombay, they are very successful in commerce and industry, and have become notable philanthropists. Parsis have influence far greater than their numbers would indicate and have often acted as a channel of communication between India and Pakistan when the two countries were at loggerheads. Because of the strict requirements that a Parsi must only marry another Parsi and children must have two Parsi parents to be Parsis, their numbers are gradually declining.
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