New Delhi, March 20 -- March 20 marks the ancient Persian/Iranian holiday of Nowruz throughout much of West Asia, Central Asia, parts of the Indian subcontinent and the Caucasus.

The festival is over 3,000 years old and dates back to the ancient Iranian Achaemenid empire. It is rooted in the religion of Zoroastrianism, which emphasises the connection of humans to nature.

The festival marks the first day of the traditional Persian calendar, which is also the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, the vernal equinox.

As per UNESCO, "Nowruz is a rite dating back to at least the 6th century BCE that marks the new year, ushers in spring, and celebrates the rebirth of nature".

This is seen in the famous 'Haft Seen' table that is se...