Gahanbar: An Ancient Tradition in Sharifabad Ardakan

Gahanbar is an ancient celebration that is held on the occasion of holy creation. According to Iranian mythology, Urmazd (God) created the world in six stages in the order of: sky, water, earth, plants, animals and man and a five- day appreciating celebration for each stage of this sacred creation that are totally thirty days for six celebrations per year should be held. Each of these five- days is called a Čahre (time) and each Čahre is put in a specific point of year that ranges from mid-spring to the unification of day and night at the end. The name of each Čahre is derived from the time (point) it is celebrated throughout a year. The word celebration which is called Jašn in Persian, basically means praise, worship and charity in this language that are reflected and appears in Gahanbar. In the celebration of Gahanbar, there is a large presence of people, continuous and public prayers and charity which welcome all participants in the ceremony. Asking for forgiveness for the deceased, blessings and pay attention to brightness of sacred fire of family, All have made this celebration remarkable. This celebration is still fully held in Sharifabad village, which has been being established approximately since 15th Christian century.