Sirsur or vegetarian festival on the 14th of Dey, a day of eating garlic and vegetables to strengthen the body in winter cold. Garlic has medicinal and purifying properties in Zoroastrian tradition.
Origin
Winter health festival
Historical Context
Sirsur is a winter festival where people abstained from meat and ate vegetarian food, especially garlic and vegetables. This festival was held in mid-Dey, the coldest time of year, with the goal of strengthening health.
Fun Facts
Garlic is a sacred and healing plant in Persian culture. In Zoroastrianism, garlic is one of the Haft-Seen items, symbolizing health and warding off illness. In winter, eating garlic was recommended to warm the body and fight the cold.
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