Esfandi festival at the start of the last month, honoring Spandarmad (Spenta Armaiti), the Amesha Spenta of earth, motherhood, and devotion. Documented by Biruni in Al-Athar al-Baqiyah.
Origin
Espand beginning festival - Documented by Biruni
Historical Context
Abu'l-Qasem Enjavi Shirazi documented this festival in the 1960s in Niassar, Aqlid, Yazd, and Mahallat. The Muslim community of Kashan shifted it from the 5th to 1st of Esfand to distance it from its Zoroastrian character.
Traditions
Visiting relatives
Gift-giving to betrothed couples
Cooking Reshteh Polow or Ash-e Esfandi
Placing pebbles in fruit trees
Fun Facts
In the Kashan region, this festival was called "Esbandi." It was believed that a wind blows on the first day of Esfand to impregnate trees. Pregnant women would wedge pebbles between fruit tree branches to make them more fruitful.
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