Homes are often cleaned and refreshed in the days leading up to Nowruz in a ritual known as khāneh takāni, or “shaking the house,” symbolizing the removal of the old and the welcoming of the new. The festivities surrounding Nowruz can last for up to two weeks, with the first day being the most important. The celebration often includes festive meals, music, dancing, and other communal activities. The Chaharshanbe Suri (the Festival of Fire), held on the last Wednesday before Nowruz, is one of the most popular and vibrant traditions, where people gather in the streets to jump over bonfires, symbolizing the burning away of misfortune and the purification of the soul.
