HOLY MASH’HAD, Iran: Tens of millions of people celebrated festival of Nowruz in central Asian Republics, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey as well as Pakistan, India and China.

People buy presents, cook special foods, observe specific rituals and visit family and friends marking the auspicious occasion.

In Iran, the main celebrations were held at the holy shrines of Hazret Imam Reza (AS) and Hazret Fatimeh Masumeh (AS) in the holy cities of Mash’had and Qom.

This year the Iran's oil ministry has given the country's motorists, hard-pressed by petrol rationing in recent months, a special Nu Ruz gift allowing them to buy extra petrol during the holiday period, albeit at higher prices.