CHICAGO — When a group of young Zoroastrian people gathered around a bonfire in a Chicago suburb to pray for their religion’s survival, they sang a modern hymn of their adopted homeland with a sentiment at the heart of their ancient faith. “Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from… Continue reading Faithful few embrace Zoroastrian ideals
Category: Culture
Dwindling numbers: Parsis at the fire temple in Secunderabad.
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… Continue reading Dwindling numbers: Parsis at the fire temple in Secunderabad.
Ancient Persian influence on Hinduism
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… Continue reading Ancient Persian influence on Hinduism
Zoroastrian Fires and Temples
Standing before a sacred fire, Zoroastrians pay homage to a creation that represents life and the power of Ahura Mazda. There are three kinds of sacred fires in Zoroastrianism, each standing for one sector of ancient society: Atash Dadgah, Adur Aduran, and Atash Behram. Atash Dadgah is associated with the householder class and burns in… Continue reading Zoroastrian Fires and Temples
Governor Greets Parsis on New Year
The Governor of Maharashtra S M Krishna greeted the people on the occasion of the ‘Parsi New Year’ on Monday. In his message, Mr Krishna said ”The contribution of the Parsi community to the development and progress of India is immeasurable. Members of the peace-loving community were in the forefront of the nation’s freedom struggle.… Continue reading Governor Greets Parsis on New Year
Celebrating Parsi New Year
BY Rakshande Italia If I cherished one special day during the year, besides my birthday, it was the New Year – not Jan. 1, but a day in August when members of my tiny Zoroastrian community in Mumbai, India, celebrated the beginning of their calendar year. Colloquially referred as Parsi New Year, the day was… Continue reading Celebrating Parsi New Year
Rolling in gold but still poverty-stricken
IN 1865, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata – a one-time opium trader and scion of a sparkling line of Parsee priests, Zoroastrians who had fled to western India from persecution in Iran – attended a lecture in Manchester given by Thomas Carlyle. Carlyle, a cantankerous Scot, was known for his historical and philosophical essays, but he also… Continue reading Rolling in gold but still poverty-stricken
Numbers down, but not their spirit
Numbers down, but not their spirit Family planning, migration, restrictions on conversion are reasons behind decline in Parsi population. Kolkata, June 21: Some thirty years ago, they were 4,000. Now, the count has dropped to a measly 750. However, that does not discourage the spirited Parsi community in Kolkata. The close-knit Zoroastrian community comprises people… Continue reading Numbers down, but not their spirit
Lose the vultures, and lose the soul
By Bachi Karkaria As an Indian Parsi Zoroastrian, I’m proud to belong to a tiny minority widely admired for its material success and its philanthropy. But I feel a closing sense of siege. The vicissitudes of modern life are threatening our group’s ethnic identity and ancient ways. The vulture, our main accomplice in death for… Continue reading Lose the vultures, and lose the soul
