Azerbaijan marks Last Tuesday before Novruz
19.3.2013

Azerbaijan is celebrating Ilakhir Chershenbe on 15 March, the last Tuesday before the Novruz spring holiday.

The first day of Novruz falls on the spring equinox, the day when the hours of daylight approximately equal those of darkness.

The four Tuesdays before Novruz are named after the four elements: water, fire, wind and earth. According to legend, God created man from earth and water, gave him warmth and ordered the wind to wake him up. These Tuesdays are, therefore, considered sacred.

Each Chershenbe (Tuesday) has its own traditions. The last Tuesday, Torpag chershenbesi or Earth Tuesday, is a special day as it's close to the Novruz holiday.

News.Az