By Nauzar Bharucha Setting to rest the controversy over the Parsi Towers of Silence at Malabar Hill, the health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which inspected the 65-acre wooded estate early this week, has ruled out any chance of a health hazard from the corpses lying there. “There is no doubt that this… Continue reading Tower of Silence gets clean chit
Category: Heritage
Bordi: A bit of Parsi Heritage
A bit of Parsi heritage near Mumbai. This week, we move west. I’ve lived in Mumbai long enough to have become an honorary Mumbaikar, and one of the privileges of this position is that I have access to a host of weekend getaway destinations. There’s the tried-to-death duo of Lonavla and Khandala, the seaside distractions… Continue reading Bordi: A bit of Parsi Heritage
Restoring the old world
At the ‘Community Museum’, there are plenty of things to catch your attention – rare photographs, antique porcelain vases, Gandhara sculptures and much more… The quaint Parsi colony at Hughes Road, Khareghat Colony, has more than just the peace loving community residing there. Nestled in a corner amidst two buildings is the Framji Dadabhoy Alpai-walla… Continue reading Restoring the old world
Zubin, Freddie, Ratan: The Parsi conquests
When Ratan Tata made that big Diwali-eve announcement to pitch for India’s biggest overseas acquisition yet, he sent a unique cultural message with a trait so typical of his Parsi community. He chose India’s most celebrated festival day for the headline to mark a milestone in national pride after the country embraced a march towards… Continue reading Zubin, Freddie, Ratan: The Parsi conquests
Discovering some curiosities in Mumbai
Nearby is the Parsi Tower of Silence. Parsis follow the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. They believe in the purity of the four elements and are not allowed to bury or cremate their dead. Instead they lay the body on top of the Parsi tower for the vultures to pick clean. We could see the towers… Continue reading Discovering some curiosities in Mumbai
Mumbai’s Irani hotspots
With distinctive ambience and mouth-watering fare, Irani cafes enthrall Mumbaikars. Largely frequented by the working class, these cafes are a big draw because they are reasonably priced and hygienic. OLD FAVOURITE: Sassanian Bakery, since 1931. – Shashi Ashiwal Bollywood, BSE, vada pav, dabbawallas… these are some of the more talked about elements of Mumbai. However,… Continue reading Mumbai’s Irani hotspots
A Parsee passionate about sidecar bikes!
Standing in one corner of Jer Baug, Byculla, the BSA B31 350cc motorbike with sidecar waits for the rains to end. It is only then, that its owner Neville Choksi will lift the covers from this vintage bike and show of its sparkling green and black glory on Mumbai’s roads. Choksi is a collector of… Continue reading A Parsee passionate about sidecar bikes!
