August 11 marks ancient holiday of NavasardAugust 11, 2014 - 14:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - August 11 marks the holiday of Navasard, an ancient Armenian New Year, symbolizing Hayk Nahapet’s victory over the Babylonian tyrant Bel. The legend says that in 2492 BC this day, Hayk Nahapet, the founder of Haykazuni king dynasty, defeated Bel’s army, thus giving rise to the Armenian state. The word Navasard consists of two parts: ‘nava’, which means new and ‘sard’, which means year. Navasard became one of the favorite pre-Christian holidays of the Armenian people. On that day festivities were held throughout Armenia to honor pagan gods. People believed that gods came down to earth and bathed in the Aratsani River and then went up to the heaven, where they celebrated the holiday. An ox was usually sacrificed to the gods, and its blood was used to mark the foreheads of the feast participants. Navasard is still celebrated nowadays in the ancient pagan temple of Garni, where people taste various Armenian dishes and enjoy dances, games and songs. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |