Millions celebrate Persian New Year

Many people decorate their homes with flowers for Nowruz

By the BBC's Pam O'Toole

Tens of millions of people from Asia to the Middle East were bringing in the new year on Wednesday by celebrating the ancient festival of Nowruz.

In some countries, the festival has taken on an increased significance since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Taleban in Afghanistan.

Goldfish are a symbol of the new year

Nowruz, or Persian New Year, is held on the first day of spring and marks the beginning of the calendar year in Iran and Afghanistan, Kurdish areas of northern Iraq and Turkey and some Central Asian republics.

The origins of the festival are shrouded in mystery.

It is said to have started thousands of years ago in ancient Persia - a spring festival to celebrate the reawakening of nature.

It was later adapted as part of Zoroastrianism and Islam.

Some of the rituals surrounding the holiday - including people jumping over bonfires to rid themselves of illness and misfortune - are said to have their roots in Iran's Zoroastrian past.

Some of these more exuberant rituals have been opposed by hardline clerics in today's Islamic Republic - particularly this year, when Nowruz clashes with the Shia mourning period of Muharram.

Increasingly popular

But Nowruz remains Iran's biggest annual holiday.

Public offices close for five days and families get together for two weeks of feasting and celebration.

The Taleban banned Nowruz

In most other countries, the celebrations are more limited, with people being given only one or two days off work.

In Azerbaijan and Central Asian republics like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Nowruz has only been celebrated officially since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Nevertheless, people have taken the festival to their hearts.

In Azerbaijan, the build up to the celebrations has lasted several weeks, with bonfires being built and children going from door to door asking for sweets.

But for millions of Afghans this year's Nowruz will have particular significance.

The festival, which was banned by the purist Islamic Taleban, has not only been revived, it has been given the stamp of official approval.

The head of Afghanistan's interim government, Hamid Karzai, has travelled to the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif for a major Nowruz celebration.