After more than a decade of controversy, a growing number of Mumbai’s Parsi Zoroastrians are now choosing to cremate their deceased loved ones instead of consigning them to the traditional Towers of Silence to be consumed by vultures. Article by Aarefa Johari, scroll.in Before 2015, barely 6% of the city’s 45,000 Parsis opted for cremation,… Continue reading How a new prayer hall is changing funeral patterns in Mumbai’s Parsi community
Category: Bombay
Mumbai Rail Metro Threatens Bhikha Behram Well
Tunnel dug for project will deplete sweet, holy water, fear trustees; authorities respond, promise meeting to allay fears The Bhikha Behram Well, one the city’s oldest sunken sweet water sources, Grade I heritage structure and holy to the Parsis, near Cross Maidan and Churchgate, may be threatened by the Metro Rail Line 3 plan. There… Continue reading Mumbai Rail Metro Threatens Bhikha Behram Well
Iconic Kekee Manzil on Bandstand Bandra Up For Sale?
UPDATE: From a friend who knows the family, we have been informed that the information below is not accurate. The house is NOT FOR SALE. We are thrilled to hear that. May Kekee Manzil continue to live on in its glorious form. While watching Fan the other day we were struck by two of… Continue reading Iconic Kekee Manzil on Bandstand Bandra Up For Sale?
Check in to vintage Mumbai with Simin Patel
This evening, Mumbai historian Simin Patel will discuss the hotel trade in Bombay from 1860 to 1903. Excerpts from an interview Article By Anand Benegal | Mid-Day Q. What interests you about the hotel trade in old-time Mumbai? Was there a colonial influence on its design and character? A. I am interested in how early… Continue reading Check in to vintage Mumbai with Simin Patel
Lecture on old Bombay hotels debunks myths and unearths scandals
There has been a persistent rumour that Parsi industrialist Jamsetji Tata was denied entry to the European-owned Esplanade Hotel or in a less popular account Pyrke’s Apollo Hotel. In retaliation, the legend goes, Tata built the grand Taj Mahal Hotel at Apollo Bunder. It’s a lovely tale of victory snatched from humiliation; but… Continue reading Lecture on old Bombay hotels debunks myths and unearths scandals
BH Wadia Clock Tower in Mumbai Vandalized
How safe is Mumbai’s heritage from wrecking? How safe is Mumbai’s heritage from wrecking? A theft at Fort’s century-old BH Wadia clock tower throws up uncomfortable questions Mumbai isn’t free from greed or irony. In an incident that occurred nearly six months ago, vandals have stolen the hands of a clock that sits within the… Continue reading BH Wadia Clock Tower in Mumbai Vandalized
Cheers to Lal Chimney
It’s a privilege I haven’t had. Of living in a baug, that quaint yet quintessential bastion of Parsidom, the housing hub whose clusters across town are home to over half the 40,000 members of my community left in the city they virtually built. Article By Meher Marfatia | Mid-Day Still, always a connect somewhere for… Continue reading Cheers to Lal Chimney
Supreme Court Orders Status Quo on Parsi Lying In Hospital Case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to all Trustees of Parsi Punchayat and managing of Parsi Lying-in Hospital and directed that there be status quo on its development after Punchayet chief Dinshaw Mehta and its trustee Armaity Tirandaz sought its intervention. Mehta moved the SC to demand that a public notice be issued and… Continue reading Supreme Court Orders Status Quo on Parsi Lying In Hospital Case
K Rustoms and Why Google was right to pick the name Ice Cream Sandwich
This October Google is rolling out the latest version of its Android operating system, codenamed Marshmallow. This series is called after confectionery, starting alphabetically with Cupcake, Donut and Éclair. This may be an attempt to make something technical sound inviting, but I must admit I didn’t pay much attention until they got to I for… Continue reading K Rustoms and Why Google was right to pick the name Ice Cream Sandwich
