Tirgan

Tirgan is a festival that celebrates rain and water, crucial elements for life. It is typically celebrated in the beginning of July, or Tir 13. 

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This festival has its roots in mythology. According to an Iranian myth, water is commemorated from the story of the mythical hero, Arash the Archer. In ancient Persia, there was a land dispute between Iran and Turan, which was experiencing drought. A Zoroastrian divinity named Tishtrya sent a message to Arash the Archer, guiding him to shoot an arrow towards the mountains in order to create peace between the two lands. Wherever the arrow would land, the border would be drawn. When the bow fell, peace was truly resorted and both Iran and Turan received rainfall. This alleviated the ongoing drought that plagued the areas once before. Therefore, Tirgan is a festival that celebrated both Arash the archer and Tishtrya. 

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To celebrate water and rain, people will splash water on each other (Ab Pashi), recite poetry, and dance. For children, the celebration will also include rainbow bracelets. 10 days before Tirgan, children will have rainbow bracelets tied onto their wrists while making a wish. On the day of Tirgan, the bracelet is untied and thrown into the water in remembrance of Arash the archer and Tishtrya. 

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Date in 2023: July 4th