Women in different parts of Damghan county, northern Semnan province, roll their infants below one year of age in pink roses, believing that it will keep them fresh and healthy.

They perform a ritual called Gol Ghaltan (literally meaning rolling in flowers) in April-May when roses bloom in that area.

Female members of the families, mainly the baby’s mother, grandmothers, and aunts, perform the ceremony.

In early morning, women bath the baby, then put him/her on a white bed sheet full of pink rose petals and roll the baby while waving the sheet to and fro.

Four female members of the family hold four corners of the sheet and recite religious songs marking the dignity of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

The Gol Ghaltan ritual, being held for more than four hundred years, is registered as the oldest spiritual heritage in Semnan province.

This year the festival will be held May 4-6 in the city of Amiriyeh, Damghan.

/ Tehran times /