August 11 is the Holiday of Navasard: According to the Armenian Calendar on 2015 starts the year 4507
According to the legend Hayk the Forefather (Hayk Nahapet) unwilling to obey the ruler of Assyria Bell comes to the land of Ararat from Babylonia. Bell decides to make him obey by force and invades the land of Ararat with a huge army. With his sons and grandsons Hayk goes to meet Bell’s army and starts fighting on the shores of Lake Van. The terrible battle starts on August 11, 2492 B.C. When during the battle Hayk recognizes Bell, he hits Bell’s breast with a three-winged arrow, which coming out of his back hits the ground. Without breathing Bell falls down and the defeated Babylonian army takes to flight.
In honor of Hayk’s victory August 11 was considered to be the Armenian New Year–the beginning of the year. Then the Armenian calendar was named Original Hayk Date, where the months were called by the names of Hayk’s 12 sons and daughters. In the place of the battle Hayk built the residence Hayq by the name of which the surrounding region was called Hayots Dzor and the hill, where Bell was killed–Graver.
By his name Hayk’s generation was called Haykazunq, Haykazarm, Hayq and the country–Hayq, the Armenian World, the Armenian Home, and Armenia. According to the legend Hayk is the ancestor of the Armenian nation and the supreme god of fight.
Navasard is the first month of the Armenian calendar. It consists of the words “nav”, which means new and “sard”, which means year, so the word means “New Year”. The Armenians celebrated the days of Navasard with a special luster, with feasts and celebrations. New Year started from Navasard 1 (August) and lasted one week. They praised the Goddesses Anahit and Astghik, as well as Vahagn the Hero, who had a good reputation among the people. The god of Navasard or New Year was considered the guard of harvest and the bread-winner of the people. His statue was situated in Bagavan, which was one of the famous places of pilgrimage of pagan Armenians. Here there was built a separate hotel, where foreign passengers and pilgrims found shelter and were fed.
The king with his suite was also present at the celebrations. The army was also brought out. Up to one hundred twenty thousand soldiers took part in it. On that day at the banks of Aratsani you could see colorful tents: the bank got the sight of a tent-town, spreading over the fields and hills.
For sacrificing the pilgrims brought rams, pigeons, cattle, the corns of which were painted with different colors. At nights they lit bonfires and the children and young people jumped over them in order to be released from the evil spirits. On the occasion of the celebration of Navasard the gathered crowd also brought with them the first harvest of the year. At that time there were organized gorgeous ceremonies, there took place horse races, running of deer and thousands of pigeons were released. On that day they prepared special food. They set magnificent tables and the members of the family gladly met Navasard.
There was also the custom of hanging sacks. From roofs they hung colorful socks waiting for the New Year presents to appear in them. Nowadays Navasard is also celebrated: it is celebrated at the temple of Garni. During the celebration there is cooked traditional Armenian food. The celebration is accompanied by national dances, songs, games and previsions.
the material is taken from http://goo.gl/YDZov0
