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: History
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
Tata: the Indian industrial giant with a core of steel
Tata Steel was set up in the teeth of racist scorn and the incredulity of many servants of the Raj Both groups are headed by Indians and both are hungry to take over non-Indian steel companies. But there the similarities between Tata Steel, which yesterday was said to be contemplating buying the Anglo-Dutch steel firm… Continue reading Tata: the Indian industrial giant with a core of steel
Muktaad
Ruby Lilaowala remembers Muktaad, in the Afternoon D.C. Muktaad are the ten days preceding the Parsi new year which are devoted to intense prayers and elaborate rituals for the departed souls (Mukt-Atmas). Whenever I visit a fire temple and see the daily offerings of flowers, fruits and sweets (Prasad) my mind rewinds to the kitchen… Continue reading Muktaad
