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.
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Wed 30th April: Daepmeher roj
- Zaiya Wadia Dadgah at Surat
Fri, 2nd May: Sarosh roj
- Cama Baug Agiary, Mumbai
- Mewawalla Agiary, Byculla
- Soonawalla Agiary, Mahim
- Chinoy Daremeher, Gandevi, Gujarat
- Gadabhai Daremeher, Pardi, near Udvada
- Randeria Daremeher, Rander, near Surat
- Anjuman Daremeher, Quetta, Pakistan
Mon 5th May: Behram roj
- Sir J J Adarian, Adajan
- Zaibordi Adarian, near Dahanu-Gholvad
- Sardar Patel Daremeher, Poona/Pune
Tuesday, 6th May: Ram roj
- Rao Dadgah, Rustampura, Surat
Wed 7th May: Govad roj
- Adenwalla Adarian, Lonavala
Thurs, 8th May: Daepedin roj
- Saronda Anjuman Agiary
- Bharuch Narielwalla Agiary
Fri, 9th May: Din, roj
- Mota Shapur Daremeher, Valsad
Sun 11th May: Ashtad roj
- Bhumgara dadgah, Indore
- Adelji Unwalla Dadgah, Bhaya Street, Nanpura Surat
Thurs 15th May: Aneran roj
- Petit Dadgah, Udvada (in Iranshah’s premises)
This list was received via email on a newsgroup.
Posted by: Mehernaaz Sam Wadia in Iran
Archaeologists working at Sarab-Mort site in Kermanshah Province announced the news of the possible discovery of a Sasanian Fire Temple adjacent to the Parthian Manor house, reported Persian service of ISNA on Monday 21, 2008.
“During this year’s [archaeological salvage] excavation, we have unearthed the religious section of the structure; it consists of a Chahar-Taqi (free-standing Zoroastrian Fire Temple), which in fact was a private chapel,” said Yousef Moradi, director of archaeological salvage operation team at Sarab-e Mort.
The Parthian manor house consists of various sections including official, administrative, ceremonial and religious.
Moradi stated: “we started our excavation in the Parthian manor house last year. Last season we discovered the official, administrative and ceremonial quarters, and this year the religious section. However, the residential quarter has totally been destroyed and there is no hope of finding the private chamber belonging to the lord of the manor.”
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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.
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