What to Expect
Prepare for a deeply enriching conversation with Hormuz Avari from the Zoroastrian House, as he unveils the ancient and enduring tradition of Zoroastrianism—one of the world’s oldest religions. You’ll learn about its core beliefs, centred around the Three-fold Path of Asha: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. Hormuz will share how these values guide the everyday lives of Zoroastrians and how they are expressed during life’s key moments, including the celebration of births and new beginnings within the community.
A highlight of the session is a detailed look at the Navjote ceremony, the rite of initiation for Zoroastrian children. Usually performed when a child is between 7 and 15 years old, the Navjote marks their formal entry into the faith. During the ceremony, they are invested with two sacred garments—the Sudreh, a white cotton shirt representing purity and commitment, and the Kusti, a woollen cord made of 72 threads that symbolise spiritual discipline and connection to the religion’s teachings. Hormuz will explain the significance of the prayers, blessings, and rituals that take place during this special occasion.
You’ll also get to see the ceremonial garments up close and learn about their ongoing role in a Zoroastrian’s daily life. Hormuz will describe how wearing the Sudreh and Kusti becomes a lifelong reminder of one’s spiritual identity and responsibility to lead a righteous life. This unique programme offers a rare window into the intimate customs of the Zoroastrian community in Singapore and invites you to appreciate the beauty of a tradition that continues to nurture values across generations.
About My Prayers and Practices
Every F1 season, we will see 10 religious leaders standing along the racing track to bless the road. We can typically identify the leaders of our own faith but there are religions in Singapore which are less heard of, though they are celebrated by some of our local communities. As a multicultural melting pot, many religious communities have taken root and established their practices on our little red dot.
From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Orthodox Christians, we hope that participants can join us on a soul-nourishing journey to the places of worship of the major religions in Singapore and learn about their birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death prayers and practices. We hope that such tours will enable us to explore and negotiate our own sense of self and appreciate our religious diversity in Singapore.
Through these tours, we hope participants have a deeper understanding of race, religion and social cohesion. We hope you will gain multiple perspectives and connect your own stories of multicultural and multireligious heritage with those of others. Through facilitated dialogues with the religious leaders, we hope to provide opportunities for participants to engage site hosts in candid and heartfelt conversations.
About the Organisation
The Zoroastrian House located on Desker Road is a community centre where the Zoroastrian community members meet and celebrate their cultural activities. It has an area demarcated as a prayer area but this should not to be confused with a Fire Temple (a place of worship). There is no Fire Temple in Singapore and daily worship is conducted in private settings such as at the House. Contrary to popular belief, Zoroastrians are not fire worshippers. They see fire in a more symbolic way as representing God’s infinite light or wisdom. Today, the Zoroastrian community in Singapore is approximately 350 members strong.
Meet Your HostHormuz Avari is the President of the Parsi Zoroastrian Association of South East Asia (PZAS). The Association plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Zoroastrian heritage throughout the region. He also is an Executive Council member of the Inter Religious Organisation of Singapore since the last few years.
Monira Bhada is a Managing Committee member and past Secretary of the PZAS.
PZAS is instrumental in organising milestone events that unite the Zoroastrian community and will be hosting the 13th World Zoroastrian Congress in December 2026 in Singapore.
The enduring commitment of the PZAS committee ensures that Zoroastrian heritage in Singapore is not only safeguarded but also made accessible to future generations.
Who should come?
- Everyone is welcome to participate! Participants 12 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at all times.
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 2 hours (Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour for registration)
- Language: English
- Meeting Point: Meet at the Entrance of Zoroastrian House (83 Desker Rd, Singapore 209606)
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at the same point.
- The events will proceed rain or shine.
What to bring?
- Participants should be dressed respectfully in smart casual (i.e. collared shirt, long pants and covered shoes). Sleeveless attire, shorts/miniskirts or sandals are strictly not allowed. Participants will be denied entry if they dress inappropriately.
- Participants should bring along an umbrella and a bottle of water.
- Please ensure that you bring along any personal medication. Asthmatic individuals are reminded to bring their inhaler.
Other important information
- The nearest carpark to Zoroastrian House is at Mustafa Centre (145 Syed Alwi Rd, Singapore 207704) (Approx. 5 min walk)
- The venue is not wheelchair friendly.
- Photography is allowed during the event.
Disclaimer
- All ticket sales are final. There will be no refund if you wish to cancel your tickets.
- Each ticket admits only one participant.
- By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
- Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
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- Visit mycommunity.org.sg to learn about our initiatives.
- Visit mycommunityfestival.sg for all our latest updates.
