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Customs & Holidays
Iran has many religious holidays dedicated to Muslim Shia saints as well as other bank holidays dating back thousands of years. Living in Tehran guides you through the Persian calendar with tips on where to see the best the city has to offer throughout the year.
Celebrating Sizdah Be-dar in Tehran: A Guide to Embracing Nature
Sizdah Be-dar in Tehran
Ramadan in Iran: 2023
Ramadan in Iran
Ramadan (pronounced Ramazan by Iranians) is a significant time for Muslims in Iran and is observed as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar…
Nowruz, the Ancient Persian New Year Explained
For over 300 million people around the world, Nowruz is one of the most important days of their calendar as they celebrate the new year.Nowruz (New Day in Persian) is believed to have been started by Zoroastrians some 3000 years ago on…
Chaharshanbe Suri: A Festive Celebration of Fire and Cleansing
Chaharshanbe Suri, also known as the Festival of Fire, is an ancient Iranian tradition that is celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.In 2023, Chaharshanbe Suri will take place on March 14 during…
Nowruz: A New Year Celebrated Across Central Asia and the Middle East
Nowruz: A New Year Celebrated Across Central Asia and the Middle East
Khāne-takānī: Runup to Nowruz
Preparing Houses for Nowruz: Khāne-takānī
Nowruz is a major holiday in Iran, marking the start of the Persian new year and the arrival of spring. One of the key traditions associated with this holiday is the practice of "shaking the house…
How Christians Celebrate Christmas in Tehran?
As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the holiday season is also observed in Iran where Christians make up less than 0.2% of the country's population. Christmas trees decorated with red, green, and gold gift boxes…
The longest night: Yalda Night (Shab e-Yalda)
Did you know Iran has its own special wintertime festival going back thousands of years called Yalda? Yes, that’s right there is one festival which occurs on the winter solstice each year where families and friends come together to…
Iran visa tips and facts
Travelers entering Iran from June 2022 will only need proof of a negative PCR test (within 72 hours of flying) or two doses of a vaccine at least two weeks earlier.According to the latest rules listed by the Iranian government, you do…
Nazri, the gift of giving food during Ashura
Ahsura, the tenth day of the Arabic calendar month of Muharram, people across Tehran and Iran cook food for their neighbours and surrounding populations as part of tradition of Nazri (free food).
Shiite Muslims worldwide are commemorating…