The tradition of preparing and decorating a special Sufro, on the occasion of Navroz, is as old as the festival of Navroz it self. Sufro in the individual family environment and Sufro as a personal submission to the Imam or submission in the Jamatkhana form a part of the history in the Navroz celebration.

It is a tradition in various countries in Central Asia that during the festival of Navroz, there are special foods being prepared to greet visitors with more than the usual hospitality. Immediately after the initial gifts have been exchanged, the entire family gather together around a low table, which is specially decorated and arranged to grace the occasion. This table is known as the Sufro of Navroz. Upon this table various prescribed items of fruits, foodstuffs and objects are displayed. The most important items on this feast table are those of the Haft-Seen, i.e. a collection of at least seven items, all beginning with the letter "S" - "Seen" - of the Farsi-Arabic alphabet) As a rule, these Haft-Seen are: SONBUL, hyacinth. SABZEH, pots of herbs - grown from sprouted (germinated) wheat seeds. SAMANOO, a sweet tasting pudding prepared with green wheat. SEERKEH, Vinegar - condiments. SEEB, an apple. SUMAK, smoked fish SENJED, Bohemian olive.

Besides these ingredients, there are boiled eggs, tinted in pastel colors, roast chicken, rice and many kinds of sweets - to make certain that life itself will be sweet. Several candles are lighted, one to represent each member of the family, and are placed in front of a mirror, where their reflections symbolize a bright future. Generally, there is also a bowl of water with a green leaf floating in it, a flagon of rose water, a piece of bread, and various fruits. Other items of good fortune are arranged on the table according to the provincial traditions.

The concept of such family Sufro extended into the Jamati Sufro on the occasion of Navroz. The beginning of such Sufro has taken place from Darkhana Jamatkhana in Bombay, which was the Head quarters for our three Imams, and later it was extended in Jamatkhanas all over indo-Pakistan sub-continent, and in Africa, where Ismailis used to reside. In Bombay Navroz Sufro happened to be so majestic and magnanimous that it used to occupy (and still occupies) half of the floor of vast Jamatkhana. It was containing innumerable varieties of foods, fruits and vegetables and decorated with beautiful jars of luxuriant green wheat plants, together with colorful lights and embellishment. Our Imams personally used to visit such Sufro, when they were residing in Bombay, to grace the occasion.

It is said that Salman Fars used to prepare a special Sufro on the day of Navroz and invite Mawla Murtza Ali to partake of it.

One more version of Haft Seen

The traditional Noruz table called "Sofreh (Sufra) haft seen" consisted of seven (7) kinds of food each starts with letter "seen" in Farsi similar to the letter "s" in English -- symbolizing life, health, wealth, abundance, love, patience, & purity.

· Sabzeh, wheat or lentil sprouts represents rebirth.

· Samanu, a creamy pudding made from wheat germ is regarded as holy.

· Seeb, apple symbolizes health & beauty.

· Senjid, the dried fruit of lotus tree for love.

· Sir, garlic which is considered medicinal represents health.

· Somagh, sumac berries represents the color of sun & the victory of good over evil.

·Serkeh, vinegar represents old age & patience