THE first day of spring symbolises Navroze, a day when Zoroastrians get together to celebrate their New Year. Hormuz Bana, a priest from the community, informs us of the rituals involved, “Iranis lay a table with seven specific things beginning with the letter ‘S’. ” Usually called haft-sin, the S is taken for sib (apples), sepand (seeds of wild rue), sekka (newly minted coins), sir (garlic cloves), serka (vinegar), sabza (wheat, barley or lentils) and samanu (a sweet paste consisting of wheat, oil, water, almonds and walnuts). 

Bana adds, “We wear new clothes and visit the fire temple. Being the beginning of a new time for us, we clean
our homes thoroughly too, to welcome things with a fresh approach.”