The members of Parsi community in India are followers of which of the following religions?

The correct answer is Zoroastrianism.

Key Points

• The Parsi community in India are followers of Zoroastrianism, an ancient monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra).
• Zoroastrianism originated in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) around the 6th century BCE and is considered one of the world's oldest organized religions.
• Members of the Parsi community migrated to India around the 8th-10th centuries CE to escape religious persecution in Persia.
• The Parsis predominantly settled in western India, particularly in Gujarat and Mumbai, where they have made significant contributions to Indian society.
• Their religious practices are centered around the worship of fire, which symbolizes purity and the presence of Ahura Mazda, the supreme god in Zoroastrianism.

Additional Information

• Ahura Mazda: The supreme god in Zoroastrianism, representing wisdom, truth, and light, and the central figure of worship in this religion.
• Avesta: The holy scriptures of Zoroastrianism, which include the Gathas—hymns believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself.
• Fire Temples: Sacred places of worship for Zoroastrians, where an eternal flame is maintained as a symbol of divine purity and presence.
• Navjote Ceremony: The initiation ritual in Zoroastrianism, during which a child officially joins the faith and is invested with the sacred garments, Sudreh (shirt) and Kusti (girdle).
• Parsi Contribution in India: The Parsi community has played a significant role in India's industrial and cultural development, with notable figures like JRD Tata, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Homi Bhabha among their ranks.