The Agnihotris keep a constant fire burning in their houses and worship it thrice a day, morning, noon and evening[65].

The Pārsis consider fire so sacred that they do not smoke. Neither do they cross fire. In their temples called Agiāris a fire of sandal wood is kept constantly burning. It is considered a great mishap if this fire is extinguished.[65]

Fire is specially worshipped on the Holi day, that is the full-moon day of the month of Fālgun.[66]

Other special occasions on which it is worshipped are the thread ceremony, the ceremony of installing a new idol in a temple, the first pregnancy ceremony, and the ceremony performed at the time of entering a new house.[67]

Fire is also worshipped in Mahārudra, Vishnuyāg, Gāyatri-purashcharan, Nilōtsarga, Vāstupujan, Shatachandi, Lakshachandi, and the sacrifices performed during the Navarātra and on the Dasara day.[68]

Fire is considered to be the mouth of God, through which he is supposed to receive all offerings.[69]

The offerings made to fire generally consist of clarified butter, cocoanuts, sesamum seed, the Java, chips of the wood of the Pipal and the Shami, curdled milk and frankincense.[70]

The fire to be used for sacrifices and agnihotras is produced by the friction of two pieces of the wood of the Arani,[71] the Pipal, the Shami[72] or the bamboo while mantras or incantations are being recited by Brāhmans.[73]


[1] The School Master of Dhānk. [↑]