Bāj
Quick Summary
The term "Bāj" refers to prayers honoring yazatas (angels) or fravashis (guardian spirits) within Zoroastrianism. These prayers are part of the Gahanbar festivals, which celebrate the seasons and possibly the six stages of creation. The Gahanbar festivals occur at irregular intervals throughout the year and each lasts for five days.1
The Bāj prayers are one of four liturgical rites observed during the Gahanbar festivals, alongside the Āfringān (prayers of love or praise), the Yasna (the central Zoroastrian rite), and the Pavi (prayers honoring God and his spirits). Following these liturgical rites, a solemn feast is held where sacrificial offerings are consumed in ritual purity.1
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- Gahanbar
…of love or praise; the Bāj, prayers honoring yazatas (angels) or fravashis (guardian spirits); the Yasna, the central Zoroastrian rite, which includes the sacrifice of the sacred liquor, haoma; and the Pavi, prayers honoring God and his spirits, performed jointly by the priest and the faithful. A solemn feast then…
Read More…of love or praise; the Bāj, prayers honoring yazatas (angels) or fravashis (guardian spirits); the Yasna, the central Zoroastrian rite, which includes the sacrifice of the sacred liquor, haoma; and the Pavi, prayers honoring God and his spirits, performed jointly by the priest and the faithful. A solemn feast then…
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NowruzParsi Nowruz…of love or praise; the Bāj, prayers honoring yazatas (“ones worthy of worship”) or fravashis (“preexistent souls”); the Yasna, a rite that includes the offering and ritual drinking of the sacred liquor haoma; the Fravartigan, or Farokhshi, prayers commemorating the dead; and the Satum, prayers recited at funeral feasts. Throughout…
Read More…of love or praise; the Bāj, prayers honoring yazatas (“ones worthy of worship”) or fravashis (“preexistent souls”); the Yasna, a rite that includes the offering and ritual drinking of the sacred liquor haoma; the Fravartigan, or Farokhshi, prayers commemorating the dead; and the Satum, prayers recited at funeral feasts. Throughout…
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