Mehregan

Mehregān is a vibrant Zoroastrian and Persian festival that honors Mithra, the divine figure associated with friendship, affection, and love. Often referred to as the Persian Festival of Autumn, Mehregān falls on the 196th day of the calendar year. It is a time for donning new clothes, setting up beautifully decorated tables, and engaging in various rituals.

Historically, Mehregān was celebrated with great splendor at Persepolis, where people would exchange gifts with each other and the king. However, after the Mongol invasion, the festival's popularity waned. Despite this, Zoroastrians in certain regions continued to celebrate it with enthusiasm and elaborate customs.

Today, Mehregān is marked by rituals that include prayers and the arrangement of traditional items on a table. Families also exchange gifts, symbolizing the end of the harvest season and the arrival of autumn. The exact date of Mehregān can vary depending on the Zoroastrian calendar variant being followed, leading to different celebration times.

The festival is steeped in legend, particularly the story of Fereydun's triumph over the evil Zahhak, which links Mehregān to themes of rebirth and balance.