How many days until Nowruz?

The story behind Nowruz

Nowruz, 'new day' in Persian, is the new year that begins at the March equinox, the first moment of spring. With roots more than 3,000 years old, it is celebrated by some 300 million people across Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Kurdish communities and the diaspora, and is listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Homes are cleaned and families set the haft-sin table with seven symbolic items whose names begin with 's' in Persian, among them sprouted wheat, apples and garlic. Days of visits to family and friends follow, and in Iran the holiday ends on the thirteenth day with picnics outdoors.