Daily Practice

Daily Prayers

Sixteen sacred prayers — the Avestan text, the English meaning, and an audio recording for every one. The fire never goes out.

Right Now

It is currently the Hāvan Gāh.

Sunrise to Noon · The First Watch of the Day

Next: Rapithwin Gāh at 12:00 PM

A Beginner's Guide

How to Pray

Six steps — the foundation of every Zoroastrian prayer practice.

01
Prepare

Bath or wash hands, face, and feet before praying. Cover your head with a cap, scarf, or cloth as a sign of respect. Wear clean clothes and the sacred Kusti thread if initiated.

02
Kusti Ritual

The Kusti is a sacred thread worn by initiated Zoroastrians. Untie and retie it while reciting the Kusti prayers — Khshnaothra, Kem Na Mazda, Hormezd-i Khodai, Jasa-me, then Ashem Vohu.

03
Right Gāh

Each of the five daily Gāhs has a specific prayer time. Recite the corresponding Gāh prayer within its window. If you miss a Gāh, you have 33 minutes to make it up.

04
Pronunciation

Prayers are in Avestan or Pazand. Listen to the audio recordings below to learn correct pronunciation, or follow the transliterations. Practice slowly to ensure accuracy.

05
Intention

Focus on the meaning of the prayers to connect with Ahura Mazda's divine wisdom. Recite with faith and devotion to enhance your spiritual consciousness.

06
Optional

After the Gāh prayer, you may recite additional prayers like Ashem Vohu, Yatha Ahu Vairyo, or Niyayeshes based on time or occasion.

Foundational

Foundational

The three core prayers of every Zoroastrian

Ashem Vohu

The Three-Line Prayer of Truth

Ashem vohu vahistem asti,
Ushtā asti; Ushtā ahmāi,
Hyat ashāi vahistāi ashem.
TranslationTruth is the best good. It is happiness to him who is truthful for the sake of the highest truth.
⬇ Download ▶ YouTube Dr. Kersey Antia · 0:18
Why this prayer matters

One of the three most important Zoroastrian prayers, recited daily to affirm commitment to truth and righteousness (Asha).

Yatha Ahu Vairyo

The Ahunawar — Invocation of Divine Authority

Yathā ahū vairyō,
Athā ratush ashāt chīt hachā,
Vanghēush dazdā mananghō,
Shyaothananām anghēush mazdāi,
Khshathremchā ahurāi ā,
Yim drigubyō dadat vāstārem.
TranslationJust as the Lord is powerful, so is the teacher through righteousness. The gift of the good mind is given to those who work for Mazda, and the power of Ahura is given to those who support the poor.
⬇ Download ▶ YouTube Dr. Kersey Antia · 0:34
Why this prayer matters

The second most important prayer, recited to invoke divine authority and wisdom, often during the Kusti ritual.

Yenghe Hatam

We Worship Those Worthy of Reverence

Yenghe hātām āat yesne paiti vanghō,
Mazdāo Ahurō vaethā ashāt hachā,
Yāonghāmchā tānschā tāoscha yazamaide.
TranslationWe worship those beings, men and women, who are blessed by righteousness and whom Ahura Mazda knows as worthy of reverence.
⬇ Download Dr. Kersey Antia · 0:25
Initiatory & Kusti Ritual

Initiatory & Kusti Ritual

The prayers of purification and the sacred-thread ritual

Khshnaothra Ahurahe MazdaoExcerpt

Invocation of Ahura Mazda's Pleasure

Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao,
Ashem vohu vahistem asti…
TranslationMay Ahura Mazda be pleased. Truth is the best good…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 0:18
Why this prayer matters

Part of the Kusti ritual, recited during purification (Padyab) to invoke Ahura Mazda's blessings.

Kem Na MazdaExcerpt

The Protector's Prayer

Kem nā Mazdā mavaitē paitidānaēm,
Mazdā vaochā ahurā…
TranslationWhom have I as protector, O Mazda, if the evil one seeks to harm me?…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 1:57
Why this prayer matters

Part of the Kusti ritual, recited as a protective prayer during purification — a shield against negative forces.

Hormezd-i KhodaiExcerpt

O Hormazd, Lord — The Tying of the Thread

Hormezd-i Khodāi,
ahmi raēshcha…
TranslationO Hormazd, Lord, grant me prosperity and health…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 3:00
Why this prayer matters

Part of the Kusti ritual, recited while tying the sacred thread, seeking divine blessings.

Jasa-me Avanghe MazdaExcerpt

The Zoroastrian Creed

Jasa-me avanghe Mazda,
Mazdayasno ahmi…
TranslationCome to my aid, O Mazda. I am a Mazdayasnian…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 1:32
Why this prayer matters

Part of the Kusti ritual, includes the Zoroastrian creed, recited after tying the sacred thread to declare faith.

Srosh BajExcerpt

The Daily Prayer of Protection

Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo,
Ashem vohu vahistem asti…
Tanum paiti, Ahmai raeshcha…
TranslationMay Ahura Mazda be pleased… Protect my body, grant me prosperity and healing…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 7:40
Why this prayer matters

A daily prayer asking for protection and healing, often recited after the Kusti ritual.

The Five Gāhs

The Five Gāhs

The five sacred watches of the day

Hāvan GāhExcerpt

Sunrise to Noon · The First Watch

Hāvanem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide,
Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide…
TranslationWe worship the Hāvan Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness. We worship Ahura Mazda, the righteous master of righteousness…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 8:08
Why this prayer matters

Morning prayer, recited from sunrise to noon, honoring divine order at the start of the day.

Rapithwin GāhExcerpt

Noon to 3 PM · The Watch of Harmony

Rapithwanem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide,
Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide…
TranslationWe worship the Rapithwin Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness. We worship Ahura Mazda, the righteous master of righteousness…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 8:15
Why this prayer matters

Noon prayer, recited from noon to 3:00 PM, focusing on divine harmony at the day's height.

Uzayēirin GāhExcerpt

3 PM to Sunset · The Afternoon Watch

Uzayēirinem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide,
Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide…
TranslationWe worship the Uzayēirin Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness. We worship Ahura Mazda, the righteous master of righteousness…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 8:05
Why this prayer matters

Afternoon prayer, recited from 3:00 PM to sunset, emphasizing spiritual focus as the day declines.

Aiwisrūthrim GāhExcerpt

Sunset to Midnight · The Watch of Protection

Aiwisrūthremem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide,
Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide…
TranslationWe worship the Aiwisrūthrim Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness. We worship Ahura Mazda, the righteous master of righteousness…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 7:46
Why this prayer matters

Evening prayer, recited from sunset to midnight, seeking protection through the night.

Ushahin GāhExcerpt

Midnight to Sunrise · The Watch of Vigilance

Ushahinem ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide,
Ahurem mazdām ashavanem ashahe ratūm yazamaide…
TranslationWe worship the Ushahin Gāh, the righteous master of righteousness. We worship Ahura Mazda, the righteous master of righteousness…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 7:30
Why this prayer matters

Midnight prayer, recited from midnight to sunrise, focusing on spiritual vigilance in the deep hours.

The Three Niyayesh

The Three Niyayesh

Litanies to the Sun, to Mithra, and to the Sacred Fire

Khorshed NiyayeshExcerpt

Litany to the Sun

Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo,
Ashem vohu vahistem asti…
TranslationMay Ahura Mazda be pleased. Truth is the best good…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 19:34
Why this prayer matters

Litany to the Sun, recited during daylight to honor the divine light that illuminates creation.

Meher NiyayeshExcerpt

Litany to Mithra — Lord of the Covenant

Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo,
Ashem vohu vahistem asti…
TranslationMay Ahura Mazda be pleased. Truth is the best good…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 18:40
Why this prayer matters

Litany to Mithra, the angel of covenant and light, recited for divine protection and just dealings.

Atash NiyayeshExcerpt

Litany to the Sacred Fire

Khshnaothra ahurahe mazdāo,
Ashem vohu vahistem asti…
TranslationMay Ahura Mazda be pleased. Truth is the best good…
⬇ Download Ervad Soli Dastur · 12:32
Why this prayer matters

Litany to the Fire, recited to honor the sacred flame as a symbol of divine light, truth, and the presence of Ahura Mazda.