The spring New Year's holiday of the equinox — Nowruz, which originated in Khorasan (a historical region in northeastern Iran) more than 3,000 years ago, almost simultaneously with the emergence of agriculture, spread throughout all neighboring countries. Currently celebrated on the days on which the spring equinox occurs.
The word Navruz (Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz) means a new day, its spelling and pronunciation may vary depending on the country. The date of celebration may also vary.
Nowruz's roots go back to Zoroastrianism. Nowruz is the oldest agricultural holiday, its origin is associated with the emergence of the agricultural calendar. Ferdowsi and Omar Khayyam, who served at the court of the Turkmen king Melik Shah, associated the emergence of Nowruz with the names of the legendary kings Jemshid, Kayumurs and others.
According to ancient custom, before the onset of Nowruz, people must carefully clean their homes and around them and fully pay off their debts.
Round cakes of wheat, barley, millet, corn, beans, peas, lentils, rice, sesame seeds and beans were laid out on the festive table.
In Navruz, dishes are prepared from seven, mainly plant foods; the most famous holiday dish is sumalak —, a dish of sprouted wheat sprouts.
In 2009, Nowruz was included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and since 2010, March 21 has been celebrated as International Day of Nowruz, established by UN resolution №A/RES/64/253.