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You are here : home > Indian Culture > Indian Festivals and occassions > Significance of Pateti

Significance of Pateti


parsi new year

Parsis are a religious community found in India and some other parts of the world. Pateti is the day preceding the Parsi New Year. The name Pateti originated from the word ‘Patet’ which means repentance.

The following day ‘Navroze’ after Pateti is the actual Parsi New Year. Many people confuse Pateti and Navroze and wrongly assume that Pateti is in fact the New Year.

Pateti – The Day of Repentance

This is the day to sincerely repent all your sins. One has to repent all the wrong words, wrong deeds and wrong thoughts of the past year. You can repent your mistakes and sins if you have knowingly or unknowingly cause harm or hurt to others. You can cleanse and purify your mind and begin afresh on the next day which is Navroze (Parsi New Year).

Greeting – Pateti Mubarak

When the true meaning of the word Pateti is repentance, is not it paradoxical to wish someone ‘Pateti Mubarak’? Of Course, Navroze Mubarak or Saal Mumbarak makes perfect sense but Pateti Mubarak? A lot of people send messages to each other saying Pateti Mubarak and some people even celebrate Pateti as a day of rejoicing. Many Parsis and non Parsis confuse Pateti with Navroze (the Parsi New Year) which is on the following day. When a person has stood in front of the Holy Fire with complete humility and sought repentance for all his past sins after saying the holy Patet Pashemani prayer, only then he acquires the right to greet another Pateti Mubarak. Once a Parsi has done this, and purged his mind, body and soul, he can wish another ‘Pateti Mubarak’.

Pateti Rituals

Parsis wear new clothes on this day and visit the Fire Temple. The house is cleaned very thoroughly and Rangoli is drawn outside the doorstep. The main door to the house is decorated with powdered chalk designs and strings of flowers are attached to the doorway. Agarbatis or incense sticks are lit and together with the fragrance of cooking, a wonderful aroma envelopes the surroundings. Traditional breakfast is served and special sweets and dishes are prepared for lunch and dinner. Other customs include sprinkling rose water on visitors as they enter the home and giving donations to charity.

About Parsis and Pateti Celebrations

Parsis are a community with a rich cultural tradition. During the celebrations of Pateti, they mingle easily with each other. They ignore the social differences and come together to celebrate in harmony and peace. Both men and women mingle freely with each other which depict equality. Food is a significant part of Parsi festivals, and during Pateti they prepare some wonderful dishes. They meet and greet other Parsis and sometime go for Parsi dramas which are held in the city.

Pateti Dishes

Food has a very important role to play in Parsi celebrations. The traditional breakfast served on this day is Ravo and Sev. Ravo is made preparing semolina, milk and sugar. Sev is fried and sweet vermicelli garnished with raisins and almond slivers. Parsis are non vegetarian and on this day they prepare some non-veg delicacies such as fish, chicken, etc. Lunch consists of Pulav topped generously with lots of nuts and some chicken and fish dishes. Sali-Boti and Patra-Ni-Macchi are two important non vegetarian food items cooked on this day. All through the day, people serve some sweets and a glass of Falooda to those who come home.

India is a diverse country and people of multiple cultures and religions co-exist together. The Parsis originally came to India from Persia and mingled easily with the Indians. On the day Of Pateti, they promise to be good in thought, deed and actions in the future. It is an important day for Parsis and provides them a chance to start new and begin fresh. They think about all the wrongs which they have done in the previous year and atone for their sins. This is the significance of Pateti.

What is the significance of Pateti? How is Pateti observed by Parsis? Which food items are prepared by Parsis on the occasion of Pateti? Discuss here.


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Simran
Simran.11 years ago
I like Parsi dishes especially dhansak and Patra nu macchi. On Pateti, I visit my Parsi friends house for a hearty meal. Thanks for the information.
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Shoojit
Shoojit.11 years ago
India is a multicultural and multireligious country so it is good to know about different cultures and customs. getting to know about Parsi festival is really helpful in understanding Parsis.
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sugandha
sugandha.11 years ago
very good information. Parsis are a small community and not much is known about their festivals and food habits except some things that are shown in movies. I really liked this article
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