Vardavar is a traditional Armenian holiday celebrated on the 98th day after Easter. In Armenia, it takes place on a large scale, as we are loved by the Armenian people, and is considered one of the main holidays of the Armenian Church. On this day, it is customary to pour water over each other, which in itself is important for the summer heat.
The Vardavar holiday originates from the cult of the ancient Armenian pagan goddess Astghik, who was considered the goddess of love, water and fertility. It is from the old beliefs that the tradition of pouring water and decorating houses with scarlet and orange flowers has been preserved. With the advent of Christianity, Vardavar was timed to coincide with the Day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which, according to biblical tradition, took place on Mount Tabor. So St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of Armenia, established the celebration of the Transfiguration on August 11, which coincided with the first day of the month of navasard according to the pagan calendar. And on this day, the pagan holiday Vardavar was celebrated, which later became as Christian as the day of Elijah the Prophet or Ivan Kupala.
Celebration of Vardavar begins in the morning. Everyone is trying to pour water on each other, regardless of gender, age and position in society. And they do it from any available dish, in which until this day the flowers prepared for the celebration were kept. According to the ancient tradition, it is impossible to take offense or express dissatisfaction, and the water on this day is considered especially healing. In addition, traditional chants, dances, games are organized, fairs and festivities are organized. People give each other flowers of scarlet or orange color, they try to decorate their homes, facades and roofs of houses with them. The lovers let the pigeons go: if the pigeon makes a circle over the house of the beloved three times, in the fall it is given in marriage. In the mountainous regions of Armenia with their cool climate, the tradition of dousing with water is unpopular. Here, mainly, they have fun, make distant pilgrimages to shrines and springs.
In ancient times, the Vardavar holiday was also accompanied by mass sacrifices, many of which took place in the Astghik temple. Nowadays, the churches of Armenia hold festive services on this day. Since Vardavar is also a holiday of fertility, it is customary to collect ears of wheat from the fields and bless them in the church, protecting the future harvest from hail and damage. Wreaths are made from ears of wheat or flowers and thrown into the yards of neighbors and relatives. Bonfires are lit at night. Dancing around them and having fun, the most persistent greet the dawn.