Foundation being laid for the upcoming agiary at Koparkhairne planned by the New Bombay Zoroastrian Association Charitable Trust.
http://www.parsiana.com/news/news-details.aspx?id=9kzbRiuYttY=
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New Agiary at Navi Mumbai
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Dadiseth Atash Behram, Mumbai
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Bhikha Behram Agiary Tehran
Bhikha Behram Tehran Agiary from outside
This is the Tehran Agiary built by Bhikha Behram, the same Parsi philanthropist who built the most famous Mumbai structure, Bhikha Behram Koovaa (well) being held sacred by Parsis, Iranis and all Indians of all religions! Look at the Farohar in the center facade.
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15 June 2014-Foundation laying Jashan – Navi Mumbai Agiyari
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SETH COWASJI BEHRAMJI BANAJI ATASH BEHRAM (KADMI), BOMBAY
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Banaji Agiary – Fort
Banaji Agiary, Fort, Mumbai. It is officially the oldest surviving fire temple in the city. The temple was established by Seth Banaji Limji, a prosperous Parsi businessman in 1709. In those days, Parsi enclaves were located in and around the Fort area.
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Guzdar Agiari at Chikli
Shireen Nariman Mehta, the keeper of the flame, at the entrance of the Guzdar Agiari at Chikli, Gujarat, India.
Courtesy: Beyniaz Edulji, Secunderabad
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KHAN BAHADUR EDULJI SORABJI CHENAI ANJUMAN DAREMEHER (ADARIAN), SECUNDERABAD
Consecrated on
Roj: Ardibehest , Mah: Asfandarmad , 1290 A.Y.
08 August 1920
PLEASE ATTEND THE ANJUMAN DAR-E-MEHER SALGIRAH JASHAN ON WEDNESDAY, 16-JULY-2014 AT 10.00 AM AND THEREAFTER PARTICIPATE IN THE CHASNI.
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New Bombay Agiary Appeal
Dear Fellow Zarthostis,
Kindly find attached an Appeal for Funds to build an Agiary and Community Centre for the Growing Parsee Community at NEW BOMBAY.
We have also attached a write-up which came in Parsiana dated 7th July 2014 which is self explanatory.
May we request you to contribute whatever you can. No donation is too small for us.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours sincerely,
for New Bombay Zoroastrian Association Charitable Trust,
Sharukh Mahiar Doctor
President/Managing Trustee
Tel: +91 98690 16730
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Oldest Fire Temple in City turns 232 !
The Dadysett Atash Behram at Chira Bazar in south Mumbai entered its 232nd year on Monday. It is the city’s oldest Atash Behram (the highest grade of fire temple for Zoroastrians) consecrated by Mulla Kaus Rustam Jalal in 1783. The complex is listed as a heritage structure and has an old-world charm with a goat pen, a barn for a white bull, an imposing portico and a shaded walkway. According to Parsi Prakash, a community periodical from those days, a jashan (prayers) to invoke rains was organized by the Parsi Punchayat at the Dadysett Atash Behram on June 30, 1824. The next day at 5am, there were heavy showers for 10 minutes.
Similarly, the Hindus organized havan rit uals for four days at Bhuleshwar temple and the Portuguese in their church.
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Surat-Modi Atash Behram
Modi Atash Behram – Surat, India
The fire of the Modi (Shenshai) Atash Behram in Surat, was consecrated November 19, 1823 (roz/day Sarosh, mah/month Ardibehest, 1193 AY)
It is located at Sayyedpura, Surat, Gujarat.
Courtesy : Jasmine Baria <jasbaria@yahoo.co.in>
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Kolkatta Agiyari pics
The Late Ervad Dhunjeebhoy Byramjee Mehta’s Zoroastrian Anjuman Atash Adaran established in 1912. Calcutta’s only fire temple or agiyari in operation at 91 Metcalfe Street, or Bandook Gali.The fire that had been brought from Navsari for the Mehtas’ own house was installed here.
The temple plot measures about 900 sq yards and the fire in a giant urn installed on the first floor is out of bounds for non-Zoroastrians. It has about 11 stained glass windows with Zoroastrian themes and motifs designed by Katayun Saklat.
The ground floor has an old grandfather clock on which is inscribed: Specially made for RD Mehta Esq by J&T Foster, 12 Mayes St, Manchester 1908, January.
Courtesy : Jasmine Baria <jasbaria@yahoo.co.in>
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Kalyan Parsi Anjuman Agiary
Dear community members
We are thankful to the Trust of the Kalyan Parsi Anjuman for running the Agiary in Kalyan.
Kalyan not being a tourist spot, does not have many Zoroastrian visitors there, thus short supply of Sandal wood and largely rely upon the Kathi. There, the requirement of Kathi is around 2 tons in 3 months.
Thankfully, the Dasturji there, Dorab Dalal efficiently maintains the Agiary premises too.
Thus, we if we donate generously, the flames will remain there in the future.
For more details contact Dasturji Dorab Dalal in Kalyan. His mobile number is 8108526002.
Thanking all in anticipation.
Noshirwan Mistry
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ZAMWI inaugurates Kamran Dar-e-Meher
On the upcoming very auspicious day, Shehenshahi Ardibehesht Maah, Kadmi Khordaad Mah and Fasli Meher Maah, and Sheherevar Roj, Saturday, September 20th 2014, our humdins in Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington DC Inc. (ZAMWI) will have the glorious inauguration of their brand new Kamran Dar-e-Meher (KDM)! It is a gift to ZAMWI by the philanthropic Iranian Zarathushtri, LateRavanshad Behdin Khodamorad Kamran, who built the KDM on his own and gifted it to the ZAMWI Humdins. (See the attached photo)
There will be an inauguration Jashan led by our own Mobed Saheb Brigadier General Ervad Behram M. Panthaki together with other Mobeds and Mobedyar. It will be my distinct pleasure to participate in this auspicious opening of the KDM and the Jashan!
Courtesy : Soli P. Dastur
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Appeal for Kathi Funds
As we are aware that to enable the Fire of Aatash Padshah to continue burning, offering “KATHIS” is a must and this is to be managed by the Panthaky of the Kapppawalla Agiary and not by the trustees.
I would like to bring to your kind attention that at Kapppawalla Agiary presently we are facing acute shortage of “KATHIS”. Moreover, the ever increasing prices of fuel, transport and manual labour for handling, it has become absolutely imperative to have a “RESERVED FUND” for the unique purpose.
I humbly appeal to donate generously for this noble cause. Keeping the “Fire” alive is the “Hour of the Need”.
In order to avoid any controversy and bickering, I impress upon our Zoroastrians to issue a “cross-cheque” infavour of “H Sidhwa & Son”, who are the sole distributor and supplier of “KATHI” to our “FIRE TEMPLE” and post or personally give the cheque to Kapppawalla Agiary,, Tardeo.
Thank You.
Regards,
Ervad Jamshed Bhesadia
Panthaky, Kappawalla Agiary.
Tel no: 022 23547914 (Kappawalla Agiary) 9820326083 (Erd.JamshedBhesadia)
Address: Seth shapurji Sorabji Kappawalla Agiary. Sir Ratan Tata Road, Tardeo. Mumbai-400034.
Courtesy : Kaizad Karanjia <karanjia.kaizad@gmail.com>
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The Paradoxical Parsis of the Greater Toronto Area
According to Firdausi’s Shahnameh, the tyrannical Zahak reigned for a 1000 years, and during his reign, the wise concealed themselves and their deeds; while the devils achieved their heart’s desire. Virtue was despised and sins applauded. Evil people rejoiced in their sinful acts; while goodness was criticized and kept at bay.
Are we as Parsis on this planet today, recycling back in time where respect for religion and goodness have no meaning whatsoever? Are we trying to change the age-old tenets of our religion just because the change seems so convenient? Or, are most of us trying to somehow redeem ourselves from the guilt and shame that we brought on to ourselves?
Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in all of the above, with one common theme – Most of us lack wisdom and foresight to decipher between good (Spenta-Mainyu) and evil (Angreh-Mainyu), and thereby, also become oblivious to realize the consequences of our chosen behavior. Disparagingly enough, a few who do realize the difference still go ahead in the path of evil. They do this to get fame and recognition, which perhaps have evaded them throughout their lives. It is precisely this ignorance and/or hunger for recognition that most of the Parsi Zarathushtis today are infected with, and disappointingly, this infection appears quite acute and widespread these days in our beautiful city of Toronto and surrounding areas, within our Parsi community.
This hypothesis of mine may be well supported by the recent occurrence where most of the Torontonian Parsis are on the bandwagon to build an Agiary within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Any half-brained Parsi with a speck of religious knowledge would be dumbfounded with this strange idea of the GTA Parsi community – because this half-brained Parsi knows that building an Agiary is much more than just needing mortar and bricks, it is a monumental religious undertaking. And when you’re talking of a location thousands of miles away from an existing Agiary, the task becomes almost impossible. Just from this standpoint alone, this strange vision of our GTA community sounds like nothing more than a five year old fantasizing to build a castle with his army on the side.
But wait!!! Before we throw out the supporters of this goal into a bucket of trash, maybe we should try to analyze their possible rationale of thinking of such a venture. In my humble opinion, I for my life simply cannot think of any logical explanation. The only thing that sticks out in my mind is the fact that unfortunately as it may seem, we have to concede that a majority of the GTA Parsis appear to have a compulsive tendency to be pretentious. And in being so, they end up pretending to be someone they’re not! Some of them have been working so hard on this attribute over the years that they end up believing their own manipulation.
For starters, here are my observations over the past 40 years in Canada. These observations may clearly indicate that most Parsis are not what they think they are, when it comes to religious standards for being true Zarathushtis. The following disappointments have been witnessed in an increasing manner over the past few years.
- A majority of the GTA Parsis simply DO NOT, or very seldom wear Sudreh and Kusti. Of course, this is quite evident when you see Parsi ladies, old and young alike, in their low cut blouse and fancy attires at functions and events.
- A vast majority of them CANNOT recite our basic prayers, let alone the Nyayesh and the Yashts. Out of those that do, most recite with horrendous pronunciations.
- A huge number of them DO NOT pray our ‘Farajiyat’ prayers on a daily basis.
- Very few Parsi homes will have a divo lighted on a daily basis.
- Some of the GTA Mobeds have a hard time reciting their own prayers – one wonders aloud when you start to see a Mobed reciting Atarsh Nyayesh from the book sitting in a Jashan. As if that’s not all, sinfully enough, quite a few of the Mobeds have renounced performing ritual ceremonies the way they should be performed.
With the above factors being a non-debatable reality, WHY would the GTA Parsis want an Agiary??? It’s certainly paradoxical for those not abiding by the rules of the religion, and still wanting a religious place of worship!!! As a matter of fact, looking at the overall community profile with its non-religious mentality, the GTA Parsis DO NOT deserve an Agiary, never mind whether it’s possible to build one or not. The Mobeds involved in this far-fetched and meaningless project, certainly have a good platform to perform their acts; and in turn, they gain recognition from the ignorant and gullible crowd.
The first ‘push’ on building an Agiary in the GTA was observed by me in 2010 when I had invited the Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor to my place. I was forced into having the Dasturji at the Darbe-Mehr with the pretext of having him do the jashan. This was sponsored by the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) in the east end of the city. No sooner the jashan was over and a brief speech by the Dasturji, the President of the society at the time and a couple of his colleagues surrounded the Dasturji to have him agree to their vision of building an Agiary. The response from the Dasturji was a flat NO with relevant rationale. Pragmatic reasoning was provided as to why it’s simply impossible to build and maintain an Agiary. The persuasion from the Directors of the society at the time seemed a bit juvenile, as the President dragged a chair while we were having our dinner and started regurgitating his request over and over again. The response from the Dasturji was still NO. Time went by and regardless of the Dasturji’s position on the matter, ZSO accumulated a good chunk of money through gullible donors and finalized their plans, only to be rejected by the city later on. Very few know today as to what’s happening with the funds that were accumulated.
Without getting into political reasons as to why another association was formed in the west end of the city, this one called OZCF, has now been raising its head to do the same thing as the previous one. Incidentally, the Vada Dasturji was back at my place this summer, and he was invited this time around by OZCF. Guess what? The same old story was repeated from different mouths this time around and the response was still the same – a big fat No by the Dasturji. Once again, defiance crept in as Dasturji’s advice was set aside, and the OZCF Directors are continuing to beg for donations. Donors – be wary of how your funds are going to get utilized. You don’t want to end up with another community centre under the guise of an Agiary.
OZCF in good conscience should be sending out a copy to each of its members of their complete strategic plan for the venture, including a complete financial picture – how much do they already have v/s how much is needed with itemized estimates. What SPECIFIC tactical plan do they have to maintain an Agiary, which would require a full time Mobed, his salary and the accommodation requirements for his family? Where would they expect to get ‘Kathis’ for the ongoing upkeep of the fire? Etc., etc. My hunch is that no such requests are going to get fulfilled, as no such detailed analysis exists. One needs an expert to develop all this – bear in mind don’t get fooled by the qualifications of the board members – that’s a different story for some other time.
It’s as superfluous as a person not wanting to use a computer, but still wanting to order a computer; the GTA Parsis don’t need an Agiary – what they really need is some spiritual awakening and at least make an attempt to learn the imperatives of our religion.
Disclaimer – Please note that my comments about the GTA Parsis in the above article obviously do not apply to all, as there is a small minority of Parsi Zarathushtis in the GTA that warrant true respect.
Contributed by Jal Dastur
<jaldastur@hotmail.com>
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Dreams come true
In the 1970s as more formal Zoroastrian associations sprung up in North America (NA), the notion of having centers of their own was highly improbable. Most of the immigrants were professionals who found their way to the West as students. They were beginning to buy homes, pay mortgages, raise money to see their children through college.
As Lovji Cama, who came to the USA in 1960 with the help of a Tata scholarship and completed a doctorate in chemistry from Columbia University, noted in an article in Parsiana (“Westward ho,” August-September 1974), “When I first came here there were perhaps 20 to 25 Parsis in the (New York) area, mostly students and on Pateti and Jamshedi Navroz someone would invite friends and have a party at home.” As the numbers grew to over 50 five years later, “a few of us decided to get together and rent a hall at the International House,” a residential center for graduate students. A Parsi meal was cooked and everyone in the vicinity was invited.
With the relaxation of the immigration laws, “the number of Parsis increased to about 180 adults in 1971 and the nature of our population changed from a mainly student population to families. The need for a Zoroastrian association was now felt and in 1973 the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY) was formed.”
Writing in the August-November 1975 issue of Parsiana (“West side story”) Ervad Pervez Patel of New York wrote, “The need for an agiary or a prayer hall is felt by most of our coreligionists here (but) real estate prices are too high.”
ZAGNY made a plea in June 1974 (“The gift of Guiv,” Parsiana, March-May 1976): “We feel that such a place is a necessity and without which it will be extremely difficult and perhaps impossible to maintain our identity in this country… In the tradition of Zoroastrian charity let us all contribute… The goal we have set for ourselves… seems at present like a dream.”
Cama, then secretary of ZAGNY, wrote in the same issue of Parsiana, “After a year we had $ 1,500 (Rs 91,500) in our special fund. That was just enough to buy one square foot of land in Manhattan.”
All that changed in 1975 when Iranian philanthropist Arbab Rustam Guiv committed US $ 100,000 (Rs 61,00,000) for the acquisition of a center. By 1977 the first North American Darbe Mehr was established. Guiv and his wife Morvarid went on to finance other centers in the continent and thereafter the Zartoshty brothers, Faridoon and Mehraban assisted, both in NA and London.
These farsighted Iranian philanthropists realized the Zoroastrians in NA were struggling to create an identity for themselves but lacked the financial wherewithal to create centers. They also knew that the Iranian Zoroastrians of yore owed a debt to the Parsis of India who had funded schools and orphanages in Iran, worked for the uplift of the community and convinced the Islamic rulers to abolish the dreaded jizya tax.
With the Islamic Revolution of 1979 many Iranian Zoroastrians sought refuge in the West. In earlier times they had turned to the East but living conditions in India could not compare with those in Europe and NA. The Iranians added to the diversity of the Zoroastrian diaspora in NA which till that time comprised largely Parsis from the Indian subcontinent.
The differences in the two cultures created impediments. The Iranian Zoroastrians parted ways from ZAGNY and formed their own association, the Iranian Zoroastrian Association. US based journalist Porus Cooper wrote on “The ZAGNY split” (Parsiana, June 1985) noting “cultural differences magnified by personal incompatibility appear to have been the true catalyst for the split.”
Over the years Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrians have learned to live together, share in each others’ festivities and work together for the betterment of all. The second and third generations raised in North America share a common cultural background. They have either moved away from Gujarati and Persian and adopted English and/or are bilingual. They have grown up in a democratic society where freedom of speech is ensured, where discrimination on the basis of gender or race is illegal and where people can openly practice their religion, convert to another faith or profess atheism.
The new comers have been told what counts is largely merit and effort. Your antecedents are secondary. The North American Zoroastrians have brought to bear modern management techniques to community issues, to raise funds, to hold congresses every two years, to form the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), a truly representative pan North American federation. They have learned to work together.
The newest darbe mehr built by the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Incorporated is a joint effort by Iranian and Parsi Zoroastrians. The Kamran Dar-e Mehr (see “Worship at Washington,” Zoroastrians Abroad, page 21) is added to the list of around a dozen already in existence in the span of 37 years. By any yardstick this is a remarkable achievement.
The FEZANA website features three PowerPoint presentations that demonstrate the speed and thoroughness with which three North American Zoroastrian associations have from scratch built or are building institutions in the 21st century. The Zoroastrian Association of North Texas was formed on March 14, 1989. A building fund was created on August 5, 1995. Total funds collected by 2009 were $ 1,250,000 (Rs 7,62,50,000) including $ 200,000 (Rs 1,22,00,000) pledged by the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao. Land was purchased in February 2006. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in February 2009. Construction was completed in May 2011.
The Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC) was formed in 1974. Eleven years later they opened The Arbab Guiv Center in Westminster. When a larger center was required, Purin Boman pledged $ 150,000 (Rs 91,50,000) in 2004. A year later a committee of around 10 people was appointed to raise funds and locate a plot. The Center was opened in June 2010. ZAC has now completed phase one of its Atash Kadeh(prayer hall), a half a million dollar project that will develop on a 1,972 square foot, stand alone building, “complete with a kebla, urvisgah(place for higher liturgical ceremonies), priest’s room, etc.”
For ZAGNY’s new, four-and-a-half million dollar (Rs 27,45,00,000) darbe mehr a committee was formed in 2010. The project was unveiled to the community in May 2011. Final site plan approvals were obtained in March 2014. A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony was held in March 2014. The building is expected to be completed by late 2015. Three-and-a-half million dollars have been raised. One million dollars is left.
For the benefit of other aspirants ZAGNY has listed 10 tips or “rules of the game” for new darbe mehr projects. These are: a dream team, to lead by example, take a flying start, communicate, ask unabashedly, prioritize, just do it, map and measure, learn and improve, and finally be entrepreneurial.
In India even though the will and vision is there the same tempo cannot be maintained due to the bureaucratic red tape involved. Still Bardoli did reconstruct its agiary, Mahuva refurbished its hall, Maneck Baug was constructed in Poona’s Sir J. J. Agiary compound, the bhoomi poojan of the New Bombay agiary took place on Dussehra (October 3, 2014). There are several other success stories. But there are also failures. Existing assets are neglected, underutilized or encroached upon. If we cannot keep pace with the North American Zoroastrians, let us at least emulate the local anjumans that have served their members well.
COURTESY: PARSIANA - http://www.parsiana.com/
Parsiana Editorial Viewpoint
Issue Dated: October 21, 2014
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ASI relief for Parsi temple, may soon become a monument of national importance
The Fire Temple at Ezra Street, though one of the earliest symbols of pluralistic and cosmopolitan culture of ‘Calcutta’, has long been taken over by trading units that have turned it into an electrical storehouse of sorts. But with the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) taking an interest in the monument, things have started looking up for the 175-year-old building. And if things go as planned, it may soon become a monument of national importance.
ASI regional director (east) Dr P K Mishra, who inspected the temple recently, said, “The building is an intrinsic part of the city’s heritage. I will recommend the government to turn it into a monument of national importance. We need an urgent restoration work to protect it from complete destruction.”
But as of things stand now, the building — popularly known as Rustomjee Cowasjee Banajee Agiary — is in a sorry state. Plasters are peeling off from each wall, the marbles on the floor have been scooped out and growth of vegetation has weakened the entire structure. Every inch of the building, including the temple basement, has been encroached upon by business units. Even the gate can hardly be seen from the road.
Click Here for more
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Vesu Agiary – Appeal to Professionals
Vesu (originally Village Vesu) is a flourishing suburb of Surat with a functioning Agiary and has its own resident panthaki. Although the number of Zarthusti families living in the village has been slowly declining, the number of Zarthustis staying in the surrounding areas and using the Agiary is growing.
The Agiary is close to a hundred years old and inspite of all the efforts of the trustees and well wishers, over the years the structure has gone weak and in need of major repair. A local family has pledged a decent sum for the repair / renovation of the agiary and is requesting the assistance of philanthropically inclined Zarthusti professionals to come forward and be a part of the team to take the project forward.
We need a company or individuals qualified in civil construction work to assess the work required and offer their services (own &/or company) to take this project to the next level.
Please urgently contact Sorab Vesuna <sorabvesuna@gmail.com>
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Rustam Faramna Agiary
Rustam, was a poor youth, who had lost his father, when he was very young, and was staying with his ailing mother, in Pandey Chawl, at Karelwadi, Thakurwad, Mumbai. Due to poverty he was not properly educated. He was dark skinned, thin and very tall, and had a very shrill voice. Finding employment was a problem for him, due to all his drawbacks.
Ultimately, he approached one Dadi,Thoothi, who had formed a drama company to stage dramas, to employ him as an actor.
During that period, cinemas showing silent films had not yet entered Mumbai, hence, staged dramas were the attractions for entertainment. During those days, female roles on stage were performed by male actors. Due to his shrill voice, he was suitable for female roles, but his tall stature was a handicap. Nevertheless, as his luck would have it, this handicap turned out to be an asset for the drama company, because the audience automatically started laughing and clapping the moment he entered the stage.
During those days, Parsis were performing dramas in Hindi and Urdu besides Gujarati, hence their dramatic societies performed in other parts of the country too. Native Rajas, Maharajas, Nawabs were their main patrons. Once, the Maharaja of Jaipur, invited Dadi Thoothi’s drama company to perform in his palace at Jaipur.
Now it so happened that, Rustamfaramna, besides being an actor, also served as a “Babarchi” to feed his co-actors. He was an expert at preparing Parsi dishes like ‘Dhan-shak”, “Curry-chaval”, “Khichri-patio”.
Once, Rustamfaramna made bold enough to offer his dish to the Maharaja and his Indian and Foreign guests who had gathered to watch a drama of his company. All of them relished the Parsi dishes so much that it turned turned Rustamfaramna’s fortune.
When his drama company prepared to leave Jaipur, to take up some other assignment, the Maharaja of Jaipur, ordered Rustamfaramna not to leave, because he wanted to appoint him as a cook in his Royal Guest-House.
All the Indian and Foreign guests of the Maharaja relished the food of the guest-house so much, that the Maharaja, started sending Rustamfaramna to his royal guesthouse at Agra too, because most often, the guests who visited Jaipur, never failed to visit Agra too, to see the Taj, and other Mughal monuments at Agra and Fatehpur-sikri.
In the good old days,Rustamfaramna’s co-actors used to tease him, by calling him Rustam-Curry-chaval. Now with his changed fortune, he felt proud of the title awarded to him by his old colleagues.
Gradually, the Maharaja of Jaipur, helped Rustam-faramna, in financing opening of his independent Hotel Savoy at Agra., which catered to the rich in European style, with his favorite Parsee dishes. Then onwards, he moved from rags to riches. He gathered wealth, but unfortunately had no heir to hand it over. Thus, the Dadar Parsee Colony, became fortunate enough to have it’s present Rustam-Faramna Agiyari, in 1930.
Courtesy: Dellatecnica
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