In the ancient Iranian calendar, the thirteenth day of the month Tir was named Tirgan, in honor of ‘Tishtar, the rain bringing star’.
The call to this feast was publicized at the beginning of Tir, and all men, from every profession, regardless of their rank and caste participated in it. Shah Abbas was also interested in this feast and held it in full splendor. In that day, men moved towards Zayandeh Rud in unusual clothing, with old, short clothes, tight trousers and night hats, holding copper and brass, and played and threw water on one another.
The women watched from above the bridge a feast in which it is prayed for rain, plenty, and happiness. The Armenians of Isfahan also held one of their religious feasts called ‘Khach shuyan’ on the bank of Zayandeh Rud. This practice, called the ‘feast of the church’ was held at the sixth of January, and included sanctifying the water with oils and submerging a silver cross in it.
In this happening, which showed the purity of the Armenian’s belief in their religious traditions, enduring cold and even frozen waters, they broke the ice of the river, endured some hours in the cold water, carried out their traditions and then started playing with water and throwing it each other.
Name Tirgan Festival
Other names Abrizan or Abpashan
Time of Celebration 13th Tir
Ceremonies Ab Pashi, Kuze divination, Tir and Bad bracelets.
Reason of celebration Honoring Tishtar and Determination of the border between Iran and Turan by Arash Kamangir.
