Pappati
Pappati [1]
a name for the New-Year's-day festival among the Parsees, which is celebrated in honor of Yezdegird, the last king of the Sassanide dynasty of Persian monarchs, who was dethroned by caliph Omar about A.D. 640. The ancient Persians reckoned a new aera from the accession of each successor, and as Yezdegird had no successor, the date of his accession to the throne has been brought down to the present time, making the current year (1876) the year 1236 of the Parsee chronology. On the Pappati, the Parsees rise early, and either say their prayers at home or repair to their fire temples, where a large congregation is assembled. After prayers they visit their relations and friends, when the Hamma-i-jour, or joining of hands, is performed. The rest of the day is spent in feasting and rejoicing, till a late hour at night. It is customary on this day to give alms to the poor and new suits of clothes to the servants.
