Rahmon congratulates Tajikistanis on Mehrgon festival

Tajik leader notes that Mehrgon festival is congratulated as tribute to the unity of man and nature, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

“Celebrating Mehrgon has strengthened our bond with ancient national roots and contributes to the development of self-knowledge and self-awareness of our people, especially teens and youth, for Mehrgon symbolizes the unity of the human race and is considered a model of high human morality, love and striving for good deeds, patriotism and justice,” says president’s message of congratulations. 

Recall, Tajikistan will celebrate Mehrgon festival on October 17.  In Dushanbe, events dedicated to the Mehrgon festival will take place in Abulqosim Firdavsi Park

Thus, a fair of honey, rice and other agricultural products will take place in the park on this occasion.  Farming units from the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), Khatlon and Sughd provinces as well as districts subordinate to the center will put on display their achievements in agriculture at the forthcoming fair.  Residents and guests of Dushanbe will be able to buy mountain honey, highest-grade rice, fresh vegetables and fruits at affordable prices.  

Tajikistan has celebrated Mehrgon festival along with such festivals as Navrouz, Sada and Tirgon since 2009.  

Mehrgon (Mehregan in Persian) is a popular Iranian festival that is celebrated in the autumn of every year. It aims to celebrate the Persian culture and is a tribute to the season of Fall (the harvesting season).

It is a Zoroastrian and Persian festival celebrated to honor Mithra (modern Mehr), which is responsible for friendship, affection and love.  It is also widely referred to as the Persian Festival of Autumn

It was reportedly originally a feast honoring the Persian god Mithra (modern Mehr).  By the 4th century BCE, it was observed as one of the name-day feasts, a form it retains in today.  In Iran, it is one of the two pre-Islamic festivals that continue to be celebrated by the public at large: Mehregan, dedicated to Mithra (modern Mehr), and Tirgan, dedicated to Tishtrya (modern Tir).

In the present days, for this celebration, the participants wear new clothes and set a decorative, colorful table.     

Meanwhile, Tehran Times reported last month that Iran is seeking UNESCO status for Mehregan festival.   Iran’s Research Institute of Cultural Heritage & Tourism is developing a dossier for the possible inscription of Mehregan on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  Mehregan is reportedly planned to be inscribed jointly with Tajikistan, since it is currently performed among Zoroastrian communities in Iran and the people of Tajikistan.