The August 2008 issue of the National Geographic has “Persia: Ancient Soul of Iran” as its cover story.
I just finished reading the printed issue. The photographs as usual are fantastic. The stories are very interesting in a very non-political way and brings out the remnant traces of the glory that was Persia.
If you cannot get your hands on the latest issue, check out the online link at National Geographic.
Kaevan Umrigar, a filmmaker, and good friend of Parsi Khabar runs his own blog.
His latest article in on Uran
Next on my itinerary was Mora Bunder at Uran, a small fishing village across the harbour from Bombay. The agiary wasn’t far from the jetty, and as I walked towards it I saw a couple of houses that looked unmistakably Parsi. Again, I found the agiary locked. Going around to the back, in one of the buildings in the complex, I met Kersi Sui.
Kersi Sui was the only Parsi left in Uran. He looked after the agiary, though he was not a priest. He told me how he came about this. His parents had come to Uran from Navsari to manage the sanatorium in the agiary complex. The agiary fire was a dadgah, and therefore laymen could tend it too. So whenever the priest had to go to his home-town, he entrusted the fire in their care. The trustees didn’t have enough funds, and neither the Suis nor the priest drew much of a salary. When the priest quit, no one was ready to work for the pittance offered. Rather than let the fire die out, Kersi began to look after it.
Continue reading the entire article here.
Grant Rd agiary caught between two sets of trustees
Aslaji Bhikhaji Agiary’s trustees are embroiled in a legal battle over control of the temple management and funds
One of the most frequented Parsi agiaries in the city is embroiled in a conflict among its trustees over control of the temple management and funds.
Aslaji Bhikhaji Agiary, which was consecrated on September 7, 1865, is located near Congress House in a lane off Grant Road Station, has an estimated income of over Rs1 crore per year.
Mumbai, July 3 47 Parsi structures, including 4 Atash Behrams, in city’s heritage list
Parsis across the city were cheering on Thursday when, after a long battle that has lasted over six years, their sacred fire temples including the four Atash Behrams have been proposed for receiving heritage status, which will safeguard these beautiful century-old structures from the eyes of builders.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has listed 47 Parsi structures to be included in the city’s Heritage list. While 17 of these structures were already on the list of protected structures, they were pegged as Grade 3. These have now been upgraded to 2A, which will protect the structures and come under stricter controls of heritage rules.
Heritage activist Dr Anahita Pundole, a Parsi herself, said that the move although delayed is great news. “The Parsi community is elated about the news as all the fire temples will now be protected,” she said.
The list will be open for suggestions and objections from citizens and after a hearing, a final notification will be published.
Co-editor of the book Zoroastrian Tapestry, Firoza Punthakey Mistree, said members of the community had met various ministers and even municipal commissioners over the years for the structures to be included in the heritage list. “Even now, five structures of importance have not been included in the list. But we are glad that the heritage tag will prevent builders from touching these sacred structures which represent the Parsi community in the city,” she said.
One of the oldest landmarks of this town, the Nowrojee General Merchants shop set up in 1860, is taking a beating from time. Owned by a Parsi family, it is almost on its last legs commercially and otherwise. The shop used to be at the centre of all activity during the British colonial times and even in post-independence India.
But it is fast losing out to ghastly constructions all over the Mcleodganj square, besides competition from the many rival shops.
The last man standing at the Nowrojee mansion is 82-year-old Jimmy Nowrojee. A former banker from Dehradun town, Jimmy is putting up a fight to retain the past glory of the shop.
“I know that I am quite old. My nephews (who are settled in the US) want to close down the shop. But I will not let that happen - at least not during my lifetime,” Jimmy, who lives alone, told IANS here.
This is a brief report on the speech given by Dasturji Dr. Peshotan Dastur Hormazdyar Mirza at the launch of the Zoroastrian Information Center at Udvada, Adar roj, Adar mah, YZ 1377, April 24, 2008.
Report submitted by Pervin J. Mistry on an email distribution list.
It is reported that a small crowd of about 200 Parsi-Irani-Zarathushtis attended the official opening of the Zoroastrian Information Center at Udvada. The expected throng of 3 to 4 thousand plus Zarathushtis did not materialize this time at the twice postponed inauguration. The event was not publicized widely, as the past two attempts were publicized, and it is also reported that many in Udvada itself did not participate because they were either not informed or were averse to attending any of the FDU’s activities in Udvada.
Dasturji Dr. Peshotan Dastur Hormazdyar Mirza, one of the High Priests of Udvada, Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy- Eighth Baronet and Dr. Miss Mehroo Bengalee, one of the trustees of WAPIZ, were present as Guests of Honor.
Dasturji Dr. Peshotan Mirza’s speech was, as usual, very educational and carried the right impact. He began his speech by saying that he was perplexed as to why he was chosen as the “Guest of Honor” when he was born, bred and lived in Udvada for most of his life! Udvada is his hometown and yet he was made a “Guest” there! He said he participated at this function, “rather than a Guest of Honor, I stand here today as the Dastur of Iranshah AtashBehram and The Udvada Anjuman”! His family has lived at Udvada for generations! His late father, Dasturji Dr. Hormazdyar Dastur Kayoji Mirza, was a very well known High Priest of Udvada and was renowned for his religious knowledge and research in Avestan, Pahlavi and Ancient Iranian Studies.
Eggs and toddy jars for a fire temple? The good-life-loving Parsis are not finicky about mixing the sacred and the secular. Still, I was intrigued by the E&T detail in Nauzer Bharucha’s report on the 300th anniversary of the Banaji Limji Agiary last Thursday. Mumbai’s oldest fire temple was badly damaged in a fire in 1803. For its reconstruction, the Sethiyas gave munificent sums; the poor contributed the eggs and toddy jars which were smashed to strengthen the foundation. Would it be unforgivable sacrilege to connect this to the standard, egg-topped Parsi dish, and call it ‘eeda par agiary’?
Our agiaries are cool, quiet refuges with no sound louder than the hum of faith. They are adorned with little more than a garlanded picture of the Prophet Zarathustra, and the oil portraits of the endowing family, the uniform grimness of these grandees deepened by the decades of wood smoke. The only dramatic feature is the inner sanctum’s gleaming urn with its leap of flames tended by the white-robed priest. He strikes the bell at each of the 24-hour cycle’s five gehs, its reverberations penetrating the very soul of the vicinity’s cluster of faithful.
Read the rest of this entry »
24 Apr 2008, 0434 hrs IST,Nauzer Bharucha,TNN
MUMBAI: For the past few centuries, they have been one of Mumbai’s most important religious and architectural landmarks. On Thursday, the city’s oldest Zoroastrian fire temple-the Banaji Limji agiary-enters its 300th year.
Tucked away in a side lane called Banaji Lane opposite the Akbarallys showroom, the ancient fire was consecrated in 1709 by Seth Banaji Limji, a prosperous Parsi businessman. “It is the oldest surviving agiary in Mumbai,” said Parsi historian Marzban Giara.
Incidentally, the second oldest agiary-Manekji Sett agiary- is also located less than a kilometre away in Perin Nariman street near CST. It completes 275 years on Thursday (1733).
In the western suburb of Andheri (west), the Seth Pirojsha Ardeshir Patel agiary also celebrates its centenary on the same day (Roz Adar-Mah Adar), an auspicious day for Parsis.
Mumbai’s fire temples were established after the Parsis started migrating from Surat and other parts of Gujarat about five centuries ago. According to the Highlights of Parsi History written P P Balsara in 1963, there were Parsis in Mumbai in 1538.
Archaeological studies on some engravings on rocks on Khark Island have identified them as a compass and ancient game boards.
The engravings are between 2000 and 3000 years old, archaeologist Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi, who conducted the recently concluded studies, told the Persian service of CHN on Saturday.
The compass has been etched in rectangular form with rounded angles on a flat rock located on the ground beside an ancient route, Moradi Ghiasabadi explained. A curve has been engraved on the upper half and four lines forming a cross stretch to the four sides of the rectangular shape, he noted.
The lines have been placed in a position to determine the cardinal points and have only two degrees of error based on the Global Positioning System (GPS), he added.
The compass has been damaged in some parts because it appears to have been severed from a larger rock in a collapse.
Recently we reported about the launching of the book that chronicles the bicycle trip around the world by Parsi cyclists. Below is an article by Ervad Marzban Hathiram, a good friend of the Parsi Khabar, which appeared in the TOI in 2002.
Around the World in 53 months
by Ervad Marzban Hathiram
TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2002 11:14:10 PM ]
MUMBAI: The three men knelt before Pope Pius XI, thanking God for their luck so far and seeking the pontiff ’s blessings for their onward journey. The date was October 15, 1924. Dressed in khakis, Gustad Hathiram, Keki Pochkhanawala and Adi Hakim were in the midst of an adventure that had commenced exactly a year ago when six young men set out from the dusty streets of Gowalia Tank in Mumbai on an unbelievable expedition—one which involved circumnavigating the globe on bicycle.
After weaving an intricate web of lies to avoid their parents’ ire, holding secret conclaves and making brave attempts to gather money, these three, along with their friends Jal Bapasola, Rustam Bhumgara and Nariman Kapadia had set off with a few clothes, a second-hand compass and crude copies of the map of the world. They chose a route that ensured that they would pass through terribly inhospitable terrains, for their objective was to show the world that, although the British ruled them, Indians were capable of much.
From Mumbai the cyclists headed to Delhi, passing through central India. After meeting the Viceroy, Lord Reading, they cycled through the Punjab and on to Baluchistan, crossing the Duki pass at 11,000 ft. They ploughed through three feet of snow and battled temperatures of minus 13 degrees C before finally reaching Varechhah—the last outpost of colonial India on January 20, 1924. From there, the youngsters sent their first postcards to their parents, revealing the details of their journey (which they had somehow managed to keep secret).
Crossing into their ancient motherland, Iran, the young Parsis reached Tehran, where they met Reza Shah Pahlavi. There, Nariman chose to return back to India and his fiance, while the rest proceeded to Baghdad. Despite dire warnings, they set a new record—crossing the Mesopotamian desert from Baghdad to Aleppo in 23 days. During these 956 kilometers they struggled through shifting sands, temperatures that crossed 55 degrees C and sand-fly-fever- induced delirium, and it was only thanks to a group of Bedouins that they escaped certain death.
Statues make it to the news in Mumbai mostly when miscreants use them to stoke trouble in the city. At other times, they stand on busy road junctions or watch dusty playgrounds, derelict and often covered in bird guano.
But for a group called the Bombay Parsi Association (BPA), the city’s statues are more than just obscure monuments from the past. Last week, members of the group honoured the statue of Sir Hormusjee Adenwalla, a philanthropist who was a former chairman of the Union Bank of India and also a trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet in the early part of the last century. Early on Friday morning, members of the group gathered near the Bikha Behram well near Churchgate, where the statue is located, and offered garlands and bouquets.
The BPA’s annual calendar features two more such events featuring statues and monuments. The statue of freedom-fighter Dadabhai Naoroji at Flora Fountain is similarly honoured on September 4, his birth anniversary. On the Zoroastrian equivalent of the All Soul’s Day, the war memorial at Khareghat Colony on Hughes Road too is the venue of a small memorial service.
What experts have warned and feared for the past few years about the humidity level at the world heritage site of Pasargadae after the inundation of Sivand dam, has now become a bitter reality as the humidity has risen to a dangerous level, and lichen funguses are growing over the body of the Cyrus the Great’s Mausoleum.
Humidity which was previously unknown to the area is now easily felt. Members of the public and a number of associate members of various Friends of Cultural Heritage Societies who have visited Pasargadae and the Mausoleum during the Norouz holiday, said that the high humidity is apparent, and damp can be smelt for miles.
Fars Province’s Meteorological Centre have also confirmed that the area has been suffering from a drought for the past six months and during this period it has rained only three times, totalling 75millimeters, therefore this amounts to nearly nothing to have an impact on the Pasargadae’s current atmospheric condition.
Back in 2007 an agreement was made between Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organisation (ICHTO) and the Ministry of Energy, if the humidity levels become apparent and thus places the heritage site in danger, the dam inundation should be stopped immediately, and necessary measures to be taken to safeguard the ancient site. As the result a small-hygrometer was installed was installed at Pasargadae by the Ministry of Energy to monitor the humidity level. Since then however no access was granted to the experts to read the data, or any information made available to the public regarding the current and exact extent of humidity in the area.
In addition the Islamic regime as well as the Ministry of Energy officials have refused to be interviewed, or willing to issue any statements in this regard. ICHTO which is controlled by the government in Tehran has also refused to give an explanation and its administration has forbidden their staff to accept any interviews or to give any comments regarding this issue.
Sivand Dam became operational in April 06, 2007 by the order of the Islamic regime’s president Mahmood Ahmadinejad, in the presence of a number of high ranking clerics and members of the Islamic republic officials.
To this date the artificial lake at Bolaghi Valley has submerged an Achaemenid village, a large section of the Achaemenid Pardis (Garden), hunting ground, 7,000-years-old industrial settlement, as well as a large number of small pre-historic sites. According to the visitors a large number of trees at Bolaghi Valley, some hundreds and few even thought to have been well-over a thousand year old have also been uprooted and burnt for no reason.
Continue reading the article at the CIAS Site.
Away from the noise and pollution in Byculla, BMC plans to shift the century-old statue to Five Gardens
The landmark Khada Parsi statue may find a new home at Five Gardens near Dadar. The statue now stands between two flyovers in Byculla.The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to shift the century-old statue of Shet Cursetjee Manockjee to Dadar so that it could be protected from the corrosive effect of pollution. But the idea has met with opposition from residents of nearby Parsi colony who say the BMC has no right to move the statue. The BMC says the statue has deteriorated because of the effect of traffic fumes and bird droppings. Street dwellers use the limbs of the statue to dry clothes; the foot is occupied by pavement dwellers.
Once the statue stood at the centre of a road junction. It still stands in the same place, but has been sandwiched between two flyovers.
The vestibule of a middle-aged building at Princess Street creaks with the sounds of broken bones. It also sings with the prattle of restless patients. Who knew a Parsi bone-setter saw so much action. Even in this day of multi-syllabic specialisations and sleek machines, large numbers (old and young, modern and classic) with sprains, dislocations and hairline fractures have great faith in the antiquated techniques of a Parsi Bonesetter or hadvaid. One of the patron saints of bone-setting in Mumbai, Ardesher Bhimjee, mended bones in this foyer as early as 1879—a fact his great-granddaughter (who keeps her privacy by refusing her name) announces with vigour. “Only five or six of us survive in this city today. Few Parsis want to continue in the family practice,” she says, “Muslims have got into the line, but Parsis are more skilled.” Read the rest of this entry »
New class explores ancient religion Popular faiths rooted in Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, the world’s oldest revealed religion, is the focus of an introductory course this quarter taught by Visiting Prof. Jennifer Rose from the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University. “Introduction to the Zoroastrian Religion,” organized by the Center for South Asia and a committee of Zoroastrian community members, will explore in detail the origins of the religion, its role in the Iranian empires and its relation to Judaism, Christianity, Manichaeism and Islam.
Zoroastrianism is a significant but little-known religious and cultural tradition that originated in Iran and became an important influence in modern India. The course will highlight how common religious concepts such as universal judgment and renewal, a savior figure and paradise all seem to have been influenced by Zoroastrian teachings.
Yesterday’s first class featured a small gathering of students, allowing for an intimate atmosphere and close interaction with Rose. Many students in attendance expressed personal interest in the subject.
Magali Ferare ‘10, a Comparative Studies major, explained her motive for enrolling in the course.
“I am excited to understand how Zoroastrianism evolved with the people and largely influenced other religions,” she said. “This course provides a historical approach to studying the religion which has complemented my understanding of other religions.”
Iran is planning on submerging the tomb of King Cyrus (Coresh), the Persian King known for authorizing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Holy Temple.
According to a report by Omedia, an Iranian organization is demanding that the International Criminal Court take action against those responsible.
The Iranian ayatollahs are planning on destroying the tomb as part of a general campaign to sever the Persian people from their non-Islamic heritage; Cyrus was thought to be a Zoroastrian and was one of the first rulers to enforce a policy of religious tolerance on his huge kingdom. Journalist Ran Porat quoted a young Iranian who said that the measures being taken by the Islamic Republic’s regime include the destruction of archaeological sites significant to this heritage.
“The government is in the final stages of constructing a dam in southern Iran that will submerge the archaeological sites of Pasargad and Persopolis – the ancient capital of the Persian Empire,” the report states. “The site, which is considered exceptional in terms of its archaeological wealth and historical importance, houses the tomb of the Persian King Cyrus.”
Cyrus, who lived from 576-530 BCE, liberated Babylonian Jewry from their exile in the famous Declaration of Cyrus (mentioned in the book of Ezra in both Hebrew and Aramaic).
The Parsi community is facing a unique problem. With only one Parsi priest left in the state, the community is facing difficulties in performing religious rituals. Such is the situation that now they have to depend on audio cassettes to perform various rituals.
For the population of about 300 in the state, the community has just one priest living in Kanpur and he, too, has seen over 75 winters. For getting performed the ‘navjote’ ceremony of their children, Parsis living in any part of the state have to visit Kanpur or Mumbai. Navjote ceremony is a must for children because only after this ritual a child is officially accorded the status of Parsi.
But the situation turns grim in case of the death of a Parsi as it is almost impossible to seek the services of the only priest available in the state in short notice. In absence of a priest, last rites are performed by senior members of the community and the role of priest is performed by an audio cassette.
It is worth mentioning that the number of Parsis has been steadily declining for several decades: the highest census count was 1,14,890 in 1940-41. But now, with the decline of approximately nine per cent per decade, demographic trends project that by 2020 their number will decrease to 23,000. In Allahabad, there are only 11 families which have formed the Allahabad Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman. Out of total 27 members only three are below 25 and most of the rest have crossed 60. Earlier, there used to be a ‘mobed’ for performing rituals in the Fire Temple of the city.
The Washington Post has a great feature titled “Among the Zoroastrians”
Jackie Lyden vividly brings out the culture and lives of the few Zoroastrians still living in the desert plateau of Yazd, around 350 miles southeast of Tehran.There are beautiful photographs by Nancy Andrews.
The article has a lot of interactive multimedia worth checking out. Click here
NEW DELHI: India’s official National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has come to the rescue of the tiny Parsi community, which is worried over the disposal of their dead because of the dwindling population of vultures.
It has decided to set up a nursery for breeding vultures around Mumbai, where most Parsis reside. Dr Mehroo Dhunjisha Bengalee, a Parsi member of the NCM hailing from Mumbai, has been given the responsibility to coordinate with experts to set up the nursery.
The Parsis have always had a representative in the NCM, but it is perhaps for the first time that the representative is doing something that benefits them, thanks to the issue pursued vigorously by Ms Bengalee.
“The Parsi community strongly raised the issue of vultures disappearing from Mumbai. We do share their concern, and hence wish to contribute as much as possible to address their problem,” said Commission Chairman Muhammad Shafi Qureshi.
The Khada Parsi, the statue of Shet Cursetjee Manockjee erected in the memory of the illustrious Parsi in the 1860s, was made to order after his youngest son Manockjee Cursetjee shelled out Rs 20,000–a princely sum then. The family later “gifted” the statue to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on the condition that it would be maintained properly. More than a century later, the statue stands sandwiched and lost between two flyovers in Byculla.
The civic body is now planning to restore eight Grade-I heritage urban artifacts, including the Khada Parsi statue and seven fountains and pyauus (drinking water spots) in the city, to their lost glory.
BMC’s City Engineer P B Bagul said, “They (the artifacts) are strategically located at traffic islands or busy public crossings, but except for a few known ones all are in a bad shape.” The idea is to restore them to their original glory, he said. “Post restoration, these artifacts will look as they did when they were first put up,” Bagul said.
HYDERABAD: In a bid to understand the genetic factors, which are apparently leading to high incidence of various kinds of ailments among members of the Parsi community, a project named ‘Avesthagenome’ was launched in the twin cities recently.
Bangalore based bio-tech firm Avesthagene will collect blood samples to study the genetic make-up and prepare a data of genealogical and medical database of the Parsi community of Hyderabad. Simultaneously, another effort is being taken up to find out the reasons for the large number of breast cancer cases among women of the community.
Inbreeding
The community consists largely of an inbred population whose numbers are dwindling due to self-imposed discouragement of intercommunity marriages. Members of the community from Hyderabad point out that by rough estimates there are just 70,000 Parsis in the country and 1,200 in Hyderabad.
Friyana Billimoria - Friyana Billimoria, in year 11 at Kingswood College, Box Hill, is Youth Ambassador for the Metropolis
Migration works if everyone embraces it wholeheartedly.
MANY centuries ago, a group of people left Persia due to religious persecution. Braving the perilous seas in tiny boats, many perished. A ragged few survived and reached the shores of Gujarat in western India. Obviously, the ministers of the rajah refused entry to the bedraggled lot, dressed strangely, talking gibberish. However, the rajah was a compassionate man and requested the strangers to convince him why they should stay.
The first Persian elder requested a bowl of warm milk and a teaspoon of sugar. The next elder stirred the sugar in the milk until it dissolved. The third urged the rajah to drink the sweetened milk, with not a drop spilled. Thus the migrants would assimilate into the population, enhancing the culture, all being richer for it.
Hence the Parsi Zoroastrians came to live in India and contributed hugely to the economic growth and rich culture. Parsis earned the respect of the Indian community. This is the tale of my ancestors.
Many centuries later, my family migrated to Australia, in 2002, in the quest for education and diverse opportunities to succeed. I was 10. It is amazing how history repeats itself. Unlike my ancestors, we were lucky as we came to Australia out of choice, safely, with language skills and in control of our futures. Today, we are citizens - studying, working and contributing to the Australian economy, culture and way of life. We have achieved so much in such a short time and both Australia and we have benefited.
The objective of the event was to bring the youth together, put the community resources to use and give the young blood a platform to a world of opportunities.
Architect Jimmy Mistry’s NGO Parsi Resource Group organised an event for the youth of the Zoroastrian community the other evening, and the bawas of the city donned their evening best and came out to celebrate the achievers of the community.
The objective of the event was to bring the youth together, put the community resources to use and give the young blood a platform to a world of opportunities. And all that and more took place, amidst khaana-peena and loads of majaa !
Besides an art and dance competition where the youngsters showcased their talents, a dance workshop was conducted by dance professionals Sandip Soparrkar and Hormuzd Khambatta. The participants were judged by a panel of professionals in the field of art and dance.
Among the bawa celebrities present were a pregnant and glowing Parizad Kolah Marshall, fitness guru Mickey Mehta and Parvez and Roshni Damania who made it a family affair with their children. Vasant Bhandari was also spotted enjoying the festivities.
Experts to determine fate of Naqsh-e Rustam
TEHRAN, Sept. 23 (MNA) — A week-long study by experts will determine the fate of the Achaemenid site of Naqsh-e Rustam in southern Iran’s Fars Province.
The decision was made during a meeting attended by officials from the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) and the Ministry of Roads and Transportation (MRT) on September 22.
The MRT’s officials have come to an agreement with the CHTHO to modify a nearby railway route which would threaten the existence of the site if it were to become operational.
The final decision will be announced on September 29, CHTHO deputy director Fariborz Dowlatabadi said on Sunday.
The railway route embankment has been constructed at a distance of about 350 meters from Naqsh-e Rustam, but CHTHO’s archaeologists have requested that the distance be increased to 1000 meters.
They believe that if the railway route were to become operational at the shorter distance, train vibrations would eventually damage the monument and also cause the destruction of Zoroaster’s Kaba within less than ten years.
Archaeologists surmise Kangelu Fortress waterproofed for Anahita rituals
A team of Iranian archaeologists working on the Kangelu Fortress in northern Iran’s Mazandaran Province have put forward the idea that the Sassanid fortress was built to be waterproof as a suitable site for holding rituals in honor of Anahita, the Zoroastrian goddess of fertility, water and rivers.
Analysis indicates that an oily material has been added to the mortar to waterproof the structure of the building.
The fortress and the terrace-shaped structures situated at both sides have been built with a mortar of gypsum, lime and stone. However it has been observed that gaps in the fortress and the bottom of the adjoining terraces have also been covered with an oily mortar, team director Saman Surtiji told the Persian service of CHN on Sunday.
“With reservation, it can be said that the monument was a type of reservoir for storing water and may have been a temple dedicated to Anahita, goddess of water,” he noted.
Following strong oppositions made by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) with construction of railway near Naqsh-e Rostam, security guard of ICHHTO has stopped the construction operations.
Tehran, 22 August 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) - Activities of Isfahan-Shiraz railway construction in a close distance of Naqsh-e Rostam historic site have been stopped due to oppositions raised by cultural heritage authorities.
According to reports released by Marvdasht’s Cultural Heritage Enthusiasts, the activities of road construction machines which were present in the area for building the infrastructure for railway construction have been stopped by Persepolis cultural heritage guards.
Based on the same report, authorities of Persepolis security guard have declared the activities of Isfahan-Shiraz workers just in 500 meters of Naqshe Rostam historic site illegal and following the disagreement of ICHHTO with the project it has stopped railway construction activities.
The renowned site where Powai Lake stands known as Framaji Kavasji was Powai Estate. It was in 1890 that the Britishers dug out the lake at a cost of Rs 6.5 lacs which was given to one Dr Scott in 1799 on payment of yearly rent of Rs 3,200. After Dr Scott’s death in 1816, Powai was taken back by the government in 1826 and leased once again to Framaji Kavasji, a Parsi merchant.
At the time, Powai lake supplied two million gallons of water to Bombay. Today, on the ADS Marg near the Powai Police stn on the lake side remains a dilapidated cottage whose wooden pillars jut on the pavement on the widened JVLR section II. This is the sole remnant of the Framji Kavasji’s presence on the landscape of Powai which may soon whither in the sands of time after 270 years.
Towards the Parksite Vikhroli are the remnants of hillocks called ‘Godrej Hills’ now leased out for quarraying. It is part of the biggest land tracts running along the Eastern express by any private trust is the Godrej factory and offices. Again a leading Parsi business house.
A friend recently attended the last journey of a Parsi friend and noted how a Parsi funeral was so peaceful, had a sense of calm, but in the same breath she wondered whether this kind of ‘quiet’ could actually lead to catharsis. Her worry made me wonder, has the occasional ‘awkward silence’ graduated to acquire a perpetual awkward status? Does noise comfort us?
Read entire article here
Ruby Lilaowala | Friday, August 17, 2007 10:28:58 IST
The Aryan settlers who lived in Persia and later, in India, had a lot in common by way of phonetics, language, spirituality and reverence for nature…
Hinduism pertains to Hindus but the word Hindu itself is actually a Persian word coined by Cyrus the great in the 6th century B.C. to describe people who lived beyond the river Indus which was the eastern boundary of the ancient Persian empire. The Persians had a phonetic problem with the letter ‘S’ hence, Sindhu became Hindu just