Absalan or "Bahar Jashn" (Spring Festival) on the 7th of Esfand, a rain-seeking festival celebrating flowing waters before Nowruz. This festival was especially important in arid regions of Iran.
Origin
Rain-seeking festival before Nowruz
Historical Context
Absalan is an ancient festival for rain-seeking and wishing for abundant water in the new year. This festival was held in Esfand month, just before Nowruz. In arid and desert regions of Iran, it involved water-sprinkling rituals and prayers for rain.
Traditions
Water Sprinkling: Splashing water as a rain-seeking ritual
Prayers for Rain: Wishing for a fruitful year
Preparing for Nowruz: Prelude to spring celebrations
Fun Facts
"Absalan" combines "ab" (water) and "salan" (relating to year/season), meaning "a year full of water and rain." This festival has other names: "Bahar Jashn" (Spring Festival), "Jashn-e Ab-Pashan" (Water-Sprinkling), and "Jashn-e Roubah" (Day of the Fox). Biruni wrote that Kayanian kings called it "Bahar Jashn."
Related Events
Nowruz
Nowruz, the world's oldest celebration, marks the Persian New Year and the spring equinox. This festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, warmth over cold, and life over death. Celebrated continuously for over 3,000 years since the Achaemenid era, Nowruz is observed by more than 300 million people worldwide across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and diaspora communities. Its rituals—including Haft-Seen (and its predecessor Haft-Shin), Chaharshanbe Suri, Sizdah Bedar, spring cleaning, and family visits—all symbolize renewal of nature and the human spirit.
Nowruz-e Bozorg (Great Nowruz)
The Great Nowruz (Khordad Sal) falls on the 6th of Farvardin (Khordad day). In Zoroastrian tradition, this is the birthday of Zoroaster and the spiritual peak of Nowruz. Sassanid kings held public audiences on this day.
Sizdah Bedar
Nature Day marking the end of Nowruz holidays. Families picnic outdoors, tie sabzeh (greens), and enjoy communal games.
Rapithwin Festival
Rapithwin festival on the 3rd of Farvardin celebrates the return of warmth and light after winter. Rapithwin is the Yazata of noon and summer warmth who retreats underground during winter and returns with spring.