DUSHANBE, October 8, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- An event to celebrate a harvest festival, Mehrgon, is being held at Tajik Agricultural University today.

Narzullo Dadaboyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), said the event was organized on an initiative of a MoA for the purpose of reviving an ancient harvest festival in the country.

An exhibition of farm produce will be held at the university on sidelines of the event.

Mehrgon (in Persian Mehragan) is a Zoroastrian and Iranian festival celebrated in honor of Mithra (Mehr or Mihr), the divinity of covenan, and hence of interpersonal relationships such as friendship, affection and love.  By the 4th century BCE, it was observed as one of the Zoroastrian name-day feasts, a form it retains even today.   

Irrespective of which calendar is observed, Mehrgon falls on the 196th day of the calendar year.  For calendars that have March 21 as Navrouz or New Year''s day, Mehrgon falls on October 2. 

In a non-Zoroastrian context, where Mehr/Mithra is no longer worshiped, Mehrgon still remains a celebration amongst family and friends, but today it is recognized as a harvest festival.