The country place of Torghabeh

According to Wiki Pedia:

Torghabeh is a town near the city of Mashad in Khorasan Razavi Province, northeastern Iran. Its population is about 1500.
Torghabeh is famous because of its mild nights in Summer.[citation needed] It has many traditional restaurants and many local businesses that sell handicrafts. One of its customary local foods is Dizi. Another common choice of food among the frequent visitors of the town is Shishlik, which is basically grilled lamb and T-bone accompanied by rice.
The small town is considered as a get-away spot for the families and youth of Mashhad, who cruise the streets and rural venues of the city in their cars or on foot.

Happy New Year !

Haft Sîn or the seven 'S's is a major tradition of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian new year. It has a complex history and there are indication referring to Kayanids mentioning that (šahd, šir, šarāb, šikkar-e nāb, šamʿ, šamšād, šāya”) literally (honey, milk, wine, pure sugar, a candle, branches of box-tree, and fruits) has been the seven S's on the Nowruz table. Today the haft sin table includes seven items specifically starting with the letter S or Sîn (س in the Persian alphabet). The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. Originally called Haft Chin, the Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Sîn table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Nowruzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.

This is the 7 sin table that I set.

The Haft Sin items are:

sîb (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health

sabzeh(سبزه) - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth

lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)

samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence (The glass on the left)

senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the ole aster tree - symbolizing love (The glass on the right)

Rose water for its magical cleansing powers (in that red rose-water bottle at middle)

sîr (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine

The Holy Quran for Muslims

A mirror and decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)

I decorated and painted all eggs myself ;)

serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

sekkeh (سکه)- coins (prosperity and wealth)

Divan of Hafez ( Hafez's poems book)

A glass with red and gold fish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)

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In 4 hours, the New Year will be started. Yes, again we finished 1 year of our life with a complex of happy and sad times. Since I remember, it was a question for me that why God has created us? I ask myself this question at the end of per year and I am sorry that I do not have any answers yet.
For the New Year, I wish No War, No tears, No sad happening in the entire world. I hope all kind wishes come in true. Happy New Year!

Let's pray for a peace full World!

My dear friends, I am going to travel to Tehran tomorrow with a turned off cell phone and a closed lap top. With any lesson to study, any project to do. I am so tired and want to be a little relaxed. I'll update the blog on 27TH of March with many photos from other parts of Iran.

The Last Week of Year II

Last night was the traditional Persian celebration; Chahar-shanbe Suri. This is a unique and old celebration that Iranians have at the night last Wednesday of year. This custom was available in ancient Iran (Persia) and nowadays it is still alive. Since we were yet busy with our spring-cleaning yesterday and the last night of Mashhad was too cold and rainy, I stayed at home and could not take any photo from Chahar-shanbe Suri. If you like to know about this tradition please follow the link above.

Now Let's see the series II of my photos from The Last Week of Year!

The Last Week of Year I

We have just 3 days to finish the year 1387. Every things show us the spring. I can feel the smell of flowers well. People are busy with their shopping these days as they seem so happy and hopeful with all their life's difficulties. A week before Nowruz we have "Beneficence Celebration". Iran's government builds many stations in streets to collect people's charities for poor families. This is the best way that we can divide all our joys with others.
Today morning, I went out with my mom to shop since 8:00 Am and it was so enjoyable to take photo for me. I always loved the last week of the year, the lovely city of the last week is a different one and I am sure that such city is just in IRAN. I wish you could be here and feel the smell of LOVE and PEACE here.

Sabzeh , one of 7 sin 's (or 7 "S") Elements - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth

Different types of Sabzeh and flower for 7 sin table

Sonbol- the fragrant hyacinth flower , another elements of 7 sin that symbolizing the coming of spring

In the confectionery, people buy their favorite sweet such as traditional Iranian pastries like baghlava for new year and their gusts (this is a custom that people have gathering parties with their relatives in the new year). The number 88 shows the year 1388.

I could see the 7 sin sets in all sores today, like this antique one

Municipality tries to clean all parts of the city and paint the equipments

In the traditional way, Iranians have roast fish with steamed rice & vegetables for the first dinner of New Year

And we bought fish & fresh vegetables, too.

I will post more photos on my next update. I offer you do not miss my these days post ;)

Sky Watch : Trees's Pray

They may pray for the rain...

Cauliflowers

I do not know the name of these flowers. Since they are like Cauliflower, I took this name for it at the title. They are very beautiful, aren't they?

By the way, IRAN in pictures is the name of Mr. Navid Chiniforoush 's photo blog. I offer you to visit it if you are intrested to see the other part of Iran.

A Dry Winter

The winter is going to be finished and we had not enough snow. It seems that a very horrible summer is on the way. I can hear a gloomy symphony from the nature, but what we can do?!

The Lovely Pine

Green...even at winter

I took this photo in the glasshouse of Mellat (National) Park in Mashhad.

In depth of Persian Gulf II

A dreamy sense!

Ebrahim was picking up some marine cucumber :D



Diving is finished.Good Job Ebrahim!
Thank you for photos!

In depth of Persian Gulf I

These photos are taken by my aunt's husband “Ebrahim” who is a marine biologist and a professional diver.When I saw them I really wondered that how mysterious is the under water's world and how much beautiful the Persian Gulf is!

Ebrahim

I will post more photos tomorrow.Just come back to see!

It is Snowing!

University,Today morning

Hooooooooray!

The first snow of Mashhad since today morning. Thanks God!

The last leaf

Just one leaf was left on the tree.
The tree said: I look forward to you my friend.
Leaf said: So bye till the spring!
The spring came back but the tree had forgotten about his friend among all those green leafs.

Sky Watch :The Inconspicuous Sun

After few cloudy days,the sun had came back today morning.But the weather was still so cold.Since I forgot to take my hat,I got a bad headache because of the cold! :(

Red Roses

I picked these flowers from the yard of our house.They are so beautiful!

Cold weather is coming!

Today,when I looked to the yard from the window of my room, I got a strange feeling! That was not something new.I have experienced it many times when the weather is foggy and cloudy.Flowers seem so silent and quite.What a gloomy day is today!

As Hot As...!

Sorry for my 2 days absence.I am sure you know how much I'm busy.

These Days I am searching for special topics to take photo.We will have a exhibition by the next month in our university and we are free to choose the subject.I am not a professional photographer,but I really like to be!

Today's photo is one of my selects!That is a hot topics,I think ;)

Ducks In The Park

This is again a photo in Mellat Park of Mashhad.I like those animals among the grass,they are nice!


BFF Award

Today morning,Some one Surprised me with her award!
Thank you Ann for the" Blogging Friends Forever Award".
Now I should give the award to five other bloggers according to the following rules:
1. Only five people are allowed
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award
As Ann said in her blog,It is difficult to choose 5 between all!
Hmmm,I have chosen:

1.Elaine,my kind and dear friend from Willits Daily Photo
2.Dear Dina in the Jerusalem Hills who I really like her!
3.Meead from portland Daily Photo,one of my best friends!
4.Webradio with Les dédales de Webradio,a nice friend from France
5.Jilly from Menton Daily Photo (France) for her fantastic photographs

Sky Watch : The Blue Among The Trees

The Flower Pots