TEHRAN -- The Iranian people celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Imam Mahdi (AS) on the 15th of the month of Shaban of the lunar calendar every year. The streets are decorated with lights and people distribute candies, cookies and all kinds of fruit syrups throughout the streets.

There is a long-standing tradition in one district of the capital Tehran on the eve of birthday anniversary of Imam Mahdi (AS), the 12th Imam of the Shiite Muslims.
People living in Shohada district in the southeastern region of Tehran, fill a pond with water and put it on Naseri St. Those who have set aside money for an oblation put their banknotes inside the pond. They leave the banknotes in the pond for two days and they believe that the banknotes will remain safe without any damage.
The Mahdawiyeh ceremonial group is one of the oldest and is the first one to celebrate the day every year. Decorating Saheb-Jam’ Street in Molavi district on this night is their task. Many people from other districts come to watch the decorating every year.
It is believed that the origin of all of these religious celebrations stems from the celebration of Imam Mahdi’s (AS) birthday, since no other religious birthdays were celebrated before his time.
Inscribing the title “Ya Saheb-e Zaman” (Imam of the Time) on carpets with strips of cotton was also another task some merchants of Tehran’s grand bazaar used to do.
Others used to cut out pieces of cardboard in spiral shapes and put them around the oil lamps that were used in former times. The heat radiated by the lamp caused the spiral cardboard to whirl, creating a beautiful display.
In some other districts the youth tied chains whose links were made from of colored cardboard and paper and strung them across streets and alleys.
Today, the celebrations are different and more people are taking part in the ceremonies.