1. Navjote: Initiation into the Zoroastrian Faith
Navjote is the induction of a child into the fold of the Zoroastrian religion. The word Navjote is made up of two terms: (1) Nao meaning new, and (2) Jotë meaning one who offers prayers. Hence the word Navjote has been interpreted to mean a new initiate who will offer Zoroastrian prayers.
The Parsis (Zoroastrian of India) believe that a Zoroastrian child between the age of seven and fifteen must be invested with the Sedreh (shirt) and Kusti (girdle) which are the visible insignia of the religion.
For the formal ceremony of admission of the child to the Zoroastrian fold, relatives and friends are invited. They bear witness to the declaration of the candidate's acceptance of the Zoroastrian religion during the ceremony when the child is invested with Sedreh and Kusti.
The officiating priest and the child sit down and the priest does a "Tila" (a mark with a red powder) on the child's forehead, puts a garland around the child's neck and hands him a bouquet of flowers and coconut, beatle leaves etc. These are considered to be symbols of good luck.
The officiating priest then gives the final benediction for the health, wealth and well-being of the child by reciting the Doa Tandarosti prayer.
He periodically showers the mixture of rice, slices of coconut etc. upon the child's head, as a symbolic gesture to ensure prosperity and plenty in the life of the newly initiated Zoroastrian.