Nowruz marks the start of spring and the Persian New Year. It is Iran's most important national holiday and celebration. In the weeks leading up to Nowruz, Tehran's bustling markets come alive with people shopping and preparing for the celebrations. The streets are filled with stands selling ajil, a mix of nuts and dried fruits that is an essential Nowruz tradition. Vibrantly colored spices fill sacks and barrels, soon to flavor the Ash Reshteh soup eaten on the holiday. Shops overflow with fresh herbs like sabzi and flowers like hyacinths and tulips, which adorn the Haft Sin table. As the holiday approaches, the delicious aroma of baklava and other sweets like noghl wa sohan zani fills the air. Shoppers browse colorful displays of candles and lanterns, buying new ones to shine on their Haft Sin in hopes of receiving enlightenment in the new year. The goldfish sellers attract crowds of excited children, who pick out fish to place on their Haft Sin representing life and renewal. The energy rises palpably in the final days. People throng the streets, greeting each other joyously with the Nowruz wish, "Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak" - "May you have a prosperous new year." On the eve of Nowruz, families gather around the Haft Sin they have lovingly prepared, eagerly waiting for the rebirth of spring and their hopes for the coming year. And here is a 2,004 character overview of some of Iran's top sights: Iran is home to 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites, reflecting its long history and diverse landscapes. The capital Tehran mixes modern skyscrapers with historic sites like Golestan Palace, the lavish Qajar-era compound decorated with intricate tilework. Isfahan is famed for its majestic squares and exquisite Islamic architecture found at sites like the Imam Mosque with its intricate blue mosaics. The ruins of Persepolis offer glimpses of the grandeur of ancient Persia under rulers like Darius and Xerxes. Its massive columns and bas-reliefs stand against the stark, rugged landscape of the surrounding mountains. To experience sublime natural beauty, head north and see the azure waters of Lake Urmia with its islands and surrounding wetlands that attract diverse birdlife. The golden desert city of Yazd amazes visitors with its windcatchers and adobe architecture. In its old city center are Zoroastrian temples with blazing fires, an enduring part of this ancient faith. No trip to Iran is complete without seeing the splendid mosaic tilework covering buildings in cities like Esfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. From the heights of Alamut Castle to the shores of the Caspian Sea to remote mountaintop monasteries, Iran's sites tell a rich, complex story spanning millennia. #nowruz #newyear #persiannewyear #Новруз #персидскийновыйгод #весеннееравноденствие #Хафтсин #цветы #праздник عيد_النوروز, رأس_السنة_الفارسية، حفلة_النوروز، هفت_سين، الربيع #haftseen #ajil #nutsanddriedfruits #ashreshteh #caspiansea