Amritsar’s Tehmi Bhandari: 100 years and going strong

100 cheers to Amritsar’s pride
Tehmi Bogga Bhandari — the only pure Parsi left in Amritsar — turned 100 on August 15. Born into a rich conservative Parsi family in Amritsar in 1906, she was the first woman to introduce “hospitality business” to the city when she converted her palatial home into a “guest house”, which [...]

Periodicals of protest

Over the decades, Parsi journalism has managed to fiercely guard its democratic character

By Manoj R Nair for Mumbai Mirror

The terms, ‘cosmopolitan newspapers’ or ‘community press’ may not figure much in our regular conversations and reading. But these words are a regular part of the periodic debates that generate a whirlwind in the Parsi community.

For a [...]

NYT: Zoroastrianism Slide Show

Turn on the sound and listen to this very interesting slide show on Zoroastrianism. This appeared on the NYTimes website, as an interactive accompaniment to the article Zoroastrians Keep the Faith, and Keep Dwindling

image copyrights NYT.

Parsi Dead: A Video of the Towers of Silence Controversey

The video below is the segment that appeared on the Indian cable news channel CNN-IBN. The video has some disturbing imagery and therefore caution is needed when viewing the video.
The controversey however rages on and something needs to be done to bring this to a closure.
The video may take a little time to start, [...]

Religion and Materiality

Isn’t it strange how Rs.200/= seems like such a large amount when you donate it to a fire-temple, but such a small amount when you go shopping?
Isn’t it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at the fire-temple, and how short they seem when you’re watching a good movie?

Isn’t it strange how difficult [...]

Parsi Anthem

We received this via an email tip. It makes interesting reading. Author Unknown
When my time has come, when my race is run
I want to go that very way of my Fathers and their Sons.

When my breath has left and life is not around

Don’t extinguish me by the Flame or lock me underground.

Cause I don’t want [...]

Udvada on Behram Roj

This write up was forwarded to us by email. I don’t know the author or the source. However it makes fascinating reading, and something that a lot of people will relate to.

The 20th day of the Zoroastrian calendar is not just another day, but a date with Victory. For, it belongs to the angel Behram [...]

Parsis remember their dear departed 10 days prior…

Parsis remember their dear departed

10 days prior to New Year, community observes Muktad ceremony at city agiaries

The Parsi New Year is nine days away. But much before the celebrations begin, it is time to remember the departed souls. The Muktad ceremony takes place during the last 10 days, when agiaries all over the world [...]

Remembering Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta

Mr. Mehta was popularly known as the uncrowned king of Karachi and the prophet of the poor…

Celebrating the 54th death anniversary of Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta (who served as the mayor of Karachi before Independence and is known for his contribution to the downtrodden), the Theosophical Order of Service (TOS) organized a commemoration meeting last [...]

Muktaad

Ruby Lilaowala remembers Muktaad, in the Afternoon D.C.
Muktaad are the ten days preceding the Parsi new year which are devoted to intense prayers and elaborate rituals for the departed souls (Mukt-Atmas). Whenever I visit a fire temple and see the daily offerings of flowers, fruits and sweets (Prasad) my mind rewinds to the kitchen of [...]