Today’s Prayer Times
How to Pray: A Beginner’s Guide
Zoroastrian prayers are a sacred practice to connect with Ahura Mazda, the supreme god, and uphold truth and righteousness (Asha). Follow these steps to perform the daily prayers correctly:
- Prepare Yourself: Take a bath or wash your hands, face, and feet before praying to purify your body and mind. Cover your head with a cap, scarf, or cloth as a sign of respect. Wear clean clothes and the sacred Kusti thread if initiated.
- Perform the Kusti Ritual: The Kusti is a sacred thread worn by initiated Zoroastrians. Untie and retie it while reciting the Kusti prayers:
- Face the sun during the day (Hāvan, Rapithwin, Uzayēirin Gāhs) or a light source (e.g., lamp or fire) at night (Aiwisrūthrim, Ushahin Gāhs).
- Recite Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao while bowing your head.
- Follow with Kem Na Mazda, Hormezd-i Khodai, and Jasa-me Avanghe Mazda while tying the Kusti with two knots.
- Complete with Ashem Vohu or Srosh Baj.
- Pray During the Appropriate Gāh: Each of the five daily Gāhs has a specific prayer. Recite the corresponding Gāh prayer within its time frame. If you miss a Gāh, you can pray within the next 33 minutes. Always start with the Kusti ritual before the Gāh prayer.
- Use Proper Pronunciation: Prayers are in Avestan or Pazand. Listen to the audio recordings below to learn correct pronunciation, or follow the transliterations. Practice slowly to ensure accuracy.
- Pray with Intention: Focus on the meaning of the prayers to connect with Ahura Mazda’s divine wisdom. Recite with faith and devotion to enhance your spiritual consciousness.
- Optional Prayers: After the Gāh prayer, you may recite additional prayers like Ashem Vohu, Yatha Ahu Vairyo, or Niyayeshes based on time or occasion.
For more details, visit the Sacred Archives or consult a Mobed (Zoroastrian priest).
Zoroastrian Prayers
Ashem Vohu
Text: Ashem vohu vahistem asti, Ushtā asti; Ushtā ahmāi, Hyat ashāi vahistāi ashem.
Translation: Truth is the best good. It is happiness to him who is truthful for the sake of the highest truth.
Purpose: One of the three most important Zoroastrian prayers, recited daily to affirm commitment to truth and righteousness (Asha).
Yatha Ahu Vairyo (Ahunawar)
Text: Yathā ahū vairyō, Athā ratush ashāt chīt hachā, Vanghēush dazdā mananghō, Shyaothananām anghēush mazdāi, Khshathremchā ahurāi ā, Yim drigubyō dadat vāstārem.
Translation: Just as the Lord is powerful, so is the teacher through righteousness. The gift of the good mind is given to those who work for Mazda, and the power of Ahura is given to those who support the poor.
Purpose: The second most important prayer, recited to invoke divine authority and wisdom, often during the Kusti ritual.
Yenghe Hatam
Text: Yenghe hātām āat yesne paiti vanghō, Mazdāo Ahurō vaethā ashāt hachā, Yāonghāmchā tānschā tāoscha yazamaide.
Translation: We worship those beings, men and women, who are blessed by righteousness and whom Ahura Mazda knows as worthy of reverence.
Purpose: The third most important prayer, recited to honor all righteous beings, often concluding ceremonies.
Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao
Text: Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Part of the Kusti ritual, recited during purification (Padyab) to invoke Ahura Mazda’s blessings.
Kem Na Mazda
Text: Kem nā Mazdā mavaitē paitidānaēm, Mazdā vaochā ahurā...
Translation: (Partial) Whom have I as protector, O Mazda, if the evil one seeks to harm me?...
Purpose: Part of the Kusti ritual, recited as a protective prayer during purification, acting as a spiritual exorcism.
Hormezd-i Khodai
Text: Hormezd-i Khodāi, ahmi raēshcha...
Translation: (Partial) O Hormazd, Lord, grant me prosperity and health...
Purpose: Part of the Kusti ritual, recited while tying the sacred thread, seeking divine blessings.
Jasa-me Avanghe Mazda
Text: Jasa-me avanghe Mazda, Mazdayasno ahmi...
Translation: (Partial) Come to my aid, O Mazda, I am a Mazdayasnian...
Purpose: Part of the Kusti ritual, includes the Zoroastrian creed, recited after tying the sacred thread.
Srosh Baj
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti... Tanum paiti, Ahmai raeshcha, Baeshazya...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased... Protect my body, grant me prosperity and healing...
Purpose: A daily prayer asking for protection and healing, often recited after the Kusti ritual.
Hāvan Gāh
Text: (Excerpt) Hāvanem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide, Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide...
Translation: (Partial) We worship the Hāvan Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness, we worship Ahura Mazda...
Purpose: Morning prayer, recited from sunrise to noon, honoring divine order.
Rapithwin Gāh
Text: (Excerpt) Rapithwanem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide, Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide...
Translation: (Partial) We worship the Rapithwin Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness, we worship Ahura Mazda...
Purpose: Noon prayer, recited from noon to 3:00 PM, focusing on divine harmony.
Uzayēirin Gāh
Text: (Excerpt) Uzayēirinem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide, Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide...
Translation: (Partial) We worship the Uzayēirin Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness, we worship Ahura Mazda...
Purpose: Afternoon prayer, recited from 3:00 PM to sunset, emphasizing spiritual focus.
Aiwisrūthrim Gāh
Text: (Excerpt) Aiwisrūthremem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide, Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide...
Translation: (Partial) We worship the Aiwisrūthrim Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness, we worship Ahura Mazda...
Purpose: Evening prayer, recited from sunset to midnight, seeking protection.
Ushahin Gāh
Text: (Excerpt) Ushahinem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide, Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide...
Translation: (Partial) We worship the Ushahin Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness, we worship Ahura Mazda...
Purpose: Midnight prayer, recited from midnight to sunrise, focusing on spiritual vigilance.
Hoshbam
Text: (Excerpt) Hoshbām hoshbām, ush bām vīspem ahurem mazdām...
Translation: (Partial) Dawn, dawn, we worship all of Ahura Mazda...
Purpose: Recited at dawn, this prayer celebrates the light and divine presence.
Deen No Kalmo
Text: (Excerpt) Din-i Mazdayasni be-rasād, Mazdayasno ahmi...
Translation: (Partial) May the Mazdayasnian religion reach us, I am a Mazdayasnian...
Purpose: A short profession of faith in Middle Persian, recited during the Kusti ritual.
Khorshed Niyayesh
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Litany to the Sun, recited during daylight to honor the divine light.
Meher Niyayesh
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Litany to Mithra, the angel of covenant and light, recited for divine protection.
Aban Niyayesh (Ardvisur Niyayesh)
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Litany to the Waters, recited to honor the divine feminine and purity.
Atash Niyayesh
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Litany to the Fire, recited to honor the sacred flame as a symbol of divine light.
Doa Tan-Dorosti
Text: (Excerpt) Tan-dorosti, ba-tan dorosti, ba-ravan dorosti...
Translation: (Partial) Health to the body, health to the soul...
Purpose: A prayer of blessing for health and prosperity, often recited at ceremonies.
Ohrmazd Yasht
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Hymn to Ahura Mazda, recited to honor the supreme god.
Ardibehesht Yasht
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Hymn to Ardibehesht (Highest Asha), focusing on righteousness and healing.
Srosh Yasht Vadi
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Purpose: Hymn to Sraosha, often recited before sleep for protection.
Afrinagan-e Dahman
Text: (Excerpt) Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo, Ashem vohu vahistem asti...
Translation: (Partial) May Ahura Mazda be pleased, Truth is the best good...
Purpose: Part of the Jashan ceremony, a blessing for the community.