Kashmin festival on the 3rd of Shahrivar, an ancient Sogdian celebration with a public marketplace. This festival was held during harvest season and involved trading agricultural products.
Origin
Sogdian festival; documented in al-Biruni's Al-Athar al-Baqiyah
Historical Context
Kashmin is an ancient festival from Sogdia that al-Biruni documented in 'Al-Athar al-Baqiyah.' The exact pronunciation and meaning of 'Kashmin' is unclear. This festival was held at the start of harvest season, accompanied by a public marketplace where people traded their products.
Traditions
Public Marketplace: Trading agricultural products
Community Gathering: Meeting and socializing at the market
Preparing for Shahrivargan: Prelude to harvest festival
Fun Facts
Biruni documented this festival with the distinctive feature of a "public marketplace," suggesting Kashmin was a type of agricultural fair or seasonal market. The next day (Shahrivar 4th) is Shahrivargan or "Sarkharman," which farmers celebrated as harvest festival.
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.