Parsis of the city celebrated Navroz, their New Year, on Monday with prayers, greetings and sumptuous food.

The 180-odd-strong Parsi community started the day by praying at the agiary or fire temple, met up with friends and loved ones and wished each other Navroz Mubarak.

"Spring is a time of new life on earth, it marks harvest. We celebrated Navroz with family and went to the agiary in the morning for prayers," said Varun Gazder, owner of Cafe Regal.

A function followed by a community dinner was also hosted at Parsi Hostel, Sakchi, where meritorious students and achievers were felicitated.

"Navroz literally means a new day. The most vital thing is praying at the agiary, wishing friends and family and spending quality time with dear ones," said Nargis Madon, director, JH Tarapore School.

Parsis also believe seven things with the letter 'S' are significant. These are sib (apple), sabzi (vegetables), sir (garlic), serkeh (vinegar), sumac (crushed herb), senjed (olives) and samanu (pudding).

The day also marks vernal equinox, when the sun shines directly over the equator and the length of the day and night becomes equal.

The Zoroastrians also believe Persian king Jamshed ascended the throne.