The Mehregan Festival, or the Persian Festival of Autumn, is an ancient celebration which is dedicated to Mehr (or Mithra/Mitra), the symbol of light, friendship, love and kindness. Mehregan is also the feast of harvest and abundance. It is celebrated each year at the beginning of autumn, on the 16th day of Mehr, the 7th month of Persian Solar Calendar, which corresponds to the second week of October. The exact day may vary from one year to the next depending on the astronomical Northward equinox, which marks the beginning of autumn. Mehr in Avestan is “Miora” , in Sanskrit is “Mitra” and in ancient Persia, or in Pahlavi it is “Mitr”. In modern Persian, it has become Mehr.
According to some scholars, the month of Mehr was the beginning month of the calendar year during the Achaemenian era and was celebrated as the beginning of the New Year. The Mehregan feast celebrated the beginning of a new year.
Click here to see 2013 Mehregan Video ( by Parissa Eggleston): Mehregan
2017-2018 Mehregan Photos:
