Khordad Sal, a Parsi festival, commemorates the birth of:

Khordad Sal is a festival of the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community that celebrates the birthday of the prophet Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster), the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is celebrated a few days after Navroz, the Parsi New Year, on the sixth day (Khordad) of the first month (Farvardin) of the Parsi calendar.

Zarathustra was a prophet and religious teacher of ancient Persia (Iran). Scholars have suggested very different dates for his life, ranging from about 1500 BCE to 600 BCE. He taught that there is one supreme god, Ahura Mazda, the wise lord, who is the creator of all that is good. He taught that life is a struggle between good (represented by Spenta Mainyu) and evil (Angra Mainyu), and that every person has the freedom to choose between them. The basic teaching of Zoroastrianism is expressed in the words "Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta", meaning good thoughts, good words and good deeds. The hymns composed by Zarathustra, called the Gathas, are part of the Avesta, the holy book of the Zoroastrians.

On Khordad Sal, Parsis visit the fire temple (agiary or atash behram), where they offer prayers and sandalwood to the sacred fire, which is a symbol of purity and of the light of Ahura Mazda. They wear new clothes, prepare special meals and feast with their families, and give charity to the poor. The most sacred fire temple of the Parsis in India is the Iranshah Atash Behram at Udvada, in Gujarat, where the fire has been kept burning for more than a thousand years.

Other Parsi festivals include Navroz (the New Year), Pateti (the day of repentance), Jamshedi Navroz (21 March) and Jashan-e-Mihragan.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Guru Nanak: his birth anniversary is celebrated as Gurpurab by Sikhs.
• ✗Lord Mahavira: his birth anniversary is celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti by Jains.
• ✗Gautama Buddha: his birth is celebrated on Buddha Purnima.