فرايند برگزاري جشن مهرگان در قرون نخستين اسلامي

Mehrgan Ceremony in the First Islamic Centuries

Mehrgan festival was the second most important of ceremonies in Ancient Iran which was hold on 16 to 21 of the month of Mehr. 16 Mehr was the public ceremony and 21 Mehr was the sublime ceremony. According to Islamic references, the origin of Mehrgan goes back to the time when Zahhak was overcame by Fereydoon. Mehrgan rites were held in the first Islamic centuries (first to fourth century a.h). Omavids and Abbasids rulers supported these festivities because their they were economically profitable and gave legitimacy to their rule among Iranians. Some pious Muslims disliked these festivals but some others did not find them opposing Islamic values. Holding these rites in the four first centuries is preserved in reference books such as war books (fotuh), public histories and encyclopedias.