Founded in Persia by the prophet Zarathustra in the 6th or 7th Century BC, Zorastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world. He was born in Mazar-i-Sharif, which is now in Afghanistan. The followers of Zorastrianism are known as Parsis, since they originally fled to India to escape persecution in Persia.
Zorastrianism was one of the first religions to advocate God as being omni-potent. Zend-Avesta, their holy book describes the continual conflict of the good and the evil. Their God Ahura Mazda is the god of light and is symbolized by fire. Man ensures the victory over evil by following the principles of 'humata' or good thoughts, 'hukta' or good words and 'huvarshta' or good deeds.
Parsis worship in fire temples and wear 'sarda' or sacred shirt and a 'kasti' or sacred thread. A ceremony known as 'Navjyote' is performed when the children first wear the sacred thread. Since Parsis believe in purity of the elements of the earth, they do not cremate or burn the dead. Instead the bodies are left in 'towers of silence' at the mercy of the vultures.Unfortunately, the Parsi community in India has been gradually dwindling.