India, Aug. 15 -- Coinciding with India's Independence Day today, the Zoroastrian community in the country celebrates their new year, aka Navroz or Nowruz. In India, they follow the Shahenshahi calendar, which does not account for leap years, so their New Year usually falls in August, unlike in Iran, where it's in March during the spring equinox. Starting their day with a visit to the Fire Temple or Agiary (or Atash Behram) for worship and to give thanks, Parsis spend the day surrounded by family, friends and food.

Food plays a major role in the festivities as it is a thread that connects them to their ancestors. Similar to the Chinese, the Parsis also believe in incorporating different items in their meals to signify prosperity and good...