It's been two years since city-based public relations professional Yohanna Dadachanji has been able to properly enjoy Navroz. One of her favourite aspects of the festival is setting up the traditional Haft-Sin table--the centre-piece of Navroz festivities. “It was very difficult to meet family and friends in the last two years. Not having your loved and dear ones around to share the Haft-Sin table feast is really heartbreaking,” says Dadachanji, who is looking forward to resuming the old normal this New Year by offering prayers, cooking an elaborate spread and inviting friends and relatives over. 

Navroz marks the start of the spring season and is celebrated in March every year. For the uninitiated, today’s celebration is different from the Parsi New Year that is usually celebrated later in the year in August. “While Parsi New Year in August also known as Pateti marks the beginning of the Parsi calendar, Navroz is the Iranian New Year," explains Dadachanji. "Both festivals are celebrated with great pomp and fervour by all Zoroastrians.”