Navrouz: a festival with a millennia-old history
This year, Navrouz in Tajikistan will begin on March 20 at 14:01:25 Dushanbe time. According to astronomical calculations, at this moment, the center of the Sun’s orbit will move from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere, Anvar Bourizoda, Director of the Institute of Astrophysics at the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, told Asia-Plus in an interview.
He explained that this moment in astronomical tradition is called «tahvili sol» — the start of the new year according to the solar calendar. At this time, the center of the solar disk, in its visible motion, crosses the boundary between the southern and northern hemispheres of the celestial sphere.
Additionally, according to Bourizoda, the point where the ecliptic (the Sun’s visible path) intersects the celestial equator is called the vernal equinox. Thus, at the moment of Navrouz, the Sun will be located at the vernal equinox — at the intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic.
This moment marks the beginning of the astronomical spring and is a significant milestone for the Navrouz celebration, which is observed by Tajikistan and other people across Central Asia.
Navrouz is not only the arrival of spring but also an ancient festival with rich symbolism dating back thousands of years and being celebrated by millions around the world.
This festival, with millennia of history, holds special significance for the people of Tajikistan, where every tradition and every element of the festive table carries its own meaning.
The holiday dishes and rituals, such as sprouted wheat, painted eggs, mirrors, and sumanak, symbolize renewal of life, fertility, family unity, and hope for a better future. Each of these elements not only decorates the table but also carries a philosophical meaning passed down from generation to generation.
This year, the holy month of Ramadan in Tajikistan will last until March 20. As a result, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr falls on March 21, but the date of celebration of Eid al-Fitr has not yet been officially confirmed. This special day for Muslims is marked by prayers and festive celebrations to mark the end of fasting.
In Tajikistan, Navrouz is celebrated with great enthusiasm and preparation, beginning long before the actual event. Throughout the country, traditional musical instruments such as the karnay, surnay, and dutar fill the air, creating a festive atmosphere.
Symbols of Navrouz
A special feature of the preparations for the holiday is the installation of «Sabza» — a composition of sprouted wheat shoots, symbolizing renewal and the start of new life. The festive table is always adorned with aromatic sumanak — the main dish of Navrouz, along with other traditional foods like sambusa with greens (alafin), fried dumplings tushbera, grain soup gandumkucha, and juicy meat barabiryun.
An essential part of the festive table is the haft sin or haft shin — a tradition where seven dishes are placed on the table, each beginning with the letter «s» or «sh.»
He explained that this moment in astronomical tradition is called «tahvili sol» — the start of the new year according to the solar calendar. At this time, the center of the solar disk, in its visible motion, crosses the boundary between the southern and northern hemispheres of the celestial sphere.
Additionally, according to Bourizoda, the point where the ecliptic (the Sun’s visible path) intersects the celestial equator is called the vernal equinox. Thus, at the moment of Navrouz, the Sun will be located at the vernal equinox — at the intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic.
This moment marks the beginning of the astronomical spring and is a significant milestone for the Navrouz celebration, which is observed by Tajikistan and other people across Central Asia.
Navrouz is not only the arrival of spring but also an ancient festival with rich symbolism dating back thousands of years and being celebrated by millions around the world.
This festival, with millennia of history, holds special significance for the people of Tajikistan, where every tradition and every element of the festive table carries its own meaning.
The holiday dishes and rituals, such as sprouted wheat, painted eggs, mirrors, and sumanak, symbolize renewal of life, fertility, family unity, and hope for a better future. Each of these elements not only decorates the table but also carries a philosophical meaning passed down from generation to generation.
This year, the holy month of Ramadan in Tajikistan will last until March 20. As a result, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr falls on March 21, but the date of celebration of Eid al-Fitr has not yet been officially confirmed. This special day for Muslims is marked by prayers and festive celebrations to mark the end of fasting.
In Tajikistan, Navrouz is celebrated with great enthusiasm and preparation, beginning long before the actual event. Throughout the country, traditional musical instruments such as the karnay, surnay, and dutar fill the air, creating a festive atmosphere.
Symbols of Navrouz
A special feature of the preparations for the holiday is the installation of «Sabza» — a composition of sprouted wheat shoots, symbolizing renewal and the start of new life. The festive table is always adorned with aromatic sumanak — the main dish of Navrouz, along with other traditional foods like sambusa with greens (alafin), fried dumplings tushbera, grain soup gandumkucha, and juicy meat barabiryun.
An essential part of the festive table is the haft sin or haft shin — a tradition where seven dishes are placed on the table, each beginning with the letter «s» or «sh.»
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