🕊️ Mandaean New Year (Dehwa Rabba)

✨ Mandaean New Year (Dehwa Rabba)

🕊️ Who are the Mandaeans?
The Mandaeans (also known as the Sabian Mandaeans) are an ancient monotheistic religious minority native to Iraq. They revere John the Baptist as their central prophet and conduct their religious rituals in their ancestral language: Mandaic Aramaic.

🎉 What is the Mandaean New Year?
Known as “Dehwa Rabba,” meaning The Great Feast, it is the most sacred and significant holiday in the Mandaean calendar.

It is celebrated on the first day of the Mandaean month of Dehla, which usually falls in mid-July according to the Gregorian calendar.

This is a deeply holy day, during which all forms of work, cooking, and even the use of fire are strictly prohibited.

📜 Rituals of the Holiday:

Baptism (Rishama): A full-body immersion in flowing rivers such as the Tigris, Karkheh, or Al-Kahla, symbolizing spiritual cleansing.

Wearing white garments (Rasta): The traditional religious attire representing purity.

Recitation of sacred texts: Prayers and hymns are read from the Ginza Rabba, the Mandaean holy book.

Sharing greetings and special vegetarian meals.

Offering symbolic sacrifices and ritual washing for inner purification.

✨ About the Festival:

Name: Dehfa Rabba (The Great Feast – Mandaean New Year)

Religion: Mandaeans (Sabean-Mandaeans)

Occasion: Religious New Year

Date: Mid-July (1st day of the Mandaean month "Dehla")

Main Location: Mandaean Temple, Amarah – Maysan Province

🧭 Tour Plan – One-Day Trip

📍 Departure: Baghdad

📍 Destination: Mandaean Temple – Amarah City, Maysan

📍 Return: Same-day return to Baghdad

🗓️ Detailed Itinerary:

03:00 AM – Departure from Baghdad in a comfortable car / tourist bus
🚐 Travel south toward Maysan Province (approx. 5-hour journey)

08:00 AM – Arrival at the Mandaean Temple in Amarah
📍 Warm welcome by local Mandaean representatives
📖 Introduction to Mandaean beliefs and the significance of the New Year

09:00 AM – Observe the traditional baptism rituals (Rushama) on the Tigris River
🕊️ Priests perform collective immersion and blessings
👘 Participants wear white religious garments (rasta) – spiritual atmosphere

10:30 AM – Meet with Mandaean priests for Q&A session
📸 Optional photos with permission – unique cultural engagement

11:30 AM – Join a symbolic vegetarian feast
🥗 Enjoy traditional vegetarian Mandaean dishes + local hospitality

12:30 PM – Optional riverside stroll and nature break
🌿 Photography and relaxation by the Tigris

01:30 PM – Visit a small exhibition (if available) of religious manuscripts & silver crafts
🛍️ Opportunity to buy handmade souvenirs

02:30 PM – Begin return trip to Baghdad
🚌 Refreshments and rest stop along the way

07:30 PM – Arrival in Baghdad – End of tour

✅ Tour Includes:

Modern air-conditioned transport (round trip)

Expert tour guide in Iraqi religions and heritage

Coordination with the Mandaean community & temple access

Traditional vegetarian lunch + refreshments

Souvenir gift (Mandaean ribbon or participation certificate)

Optional professional photography