Mehrgon is a historical and national festival of the Aryan peoples!
Mehrgon (or Mehregan) is one of the most ancient festivals of Aryan origin. Our ancestors celebrated it as a day of worship and praise of Mehr (Mitra) — the deity of the sun, light, covenant, and friendship. It symbolized loyalty, love, harmony, and unity.
Mehrgon is the festival of the harvest, abundance, joy and happiness, friendship, unity, and devotion.
This celebration originated alongside the development of agriculture and the introduction of the farming calendar.
In essence, Mehrgon is a harvest festival celebrated at the beginning of autumn, when farmers began gathering their crops.
According to ancient legends, it was on this day that King Fereydun defeated the tyrant Zahhak and imprisoned him in Mount Damavand.
On this day, people used to write letters to one another, exchange greetings, and present gifts.
The first five days were celebrated by the general public and were called Mehrgoni Omma (People’s or Small Mehrgon), while the sixth day was an official celebration observed by the king and his court — Mehrgoni Buzurg (Great Mehrgon).
During the Sassanid period, Mehrgon was celebrated with great grandeur and ceremony.
The celebration was very similar to Nowruz: people cleaned their homes and courtyards, wore their best clothes, adorned themselves, and went to festive gatherings. In general, kindness and goodwill prevailed among everyone on this day.
After the October Revolution, among the farmers of Central Asia, including Tajiks, new traditions such as the harvest festival appeared. However, Tajikistan’s independence gave Mehrgon a second life.
According to the beliefs of our ancestors, Mehrgon was celebrated on the first day of the month of Mehr, marking the beginning of autumn. This time symbolized cosmic balance — the autumn equinox, when day and night are equal in length — and thus the month was named Mehr.
In ancient times, when most people were engaged in agriculture, many rituals and ceremonies were performed during Mehrgon. After the harvest, it became a time for joy, celebration, and rest for farmers.
The arrival of Mehrgon during the harvest season carries deep symbolic meaning.
Today, it is regarded as the professional holiday of farmers, and its official revival stands as evidence that our ancient nation, under the guidance of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, has turned again to its rich cultural heritage and considers the revival of ancient traditions its noble duty.
