In the third episode of Season 2, Zoroverse features Ervad Sheherazad Pavri, a prominent, celebrated priest in the global Zoroastrian community. The location of the podcast is a beautiful beach in Udvada, Gujarat, less than a kilometre from the Holy Iranshah, one of the most scared Zoroastrian fire temples in the world.
Sheherazad, like Veera, is also an RTR alumnus, and has joined the trip for the fifth time as a volunteer! In the first part of this episode, Sherry shares more about his personal journey growing up as a Parsi in India and now juggling a life which balances secular and religious duties. He also describes his role as a spiritual mentor for many during the trip, teaching some friends how to tie their sudreh and kusti, while helping others navigate the fire temple complex.
In second section of this episode, Sherry, in true bawa fashion, turns the question I ask him on its head and begins to inquire about my own journey with Zoroastrianism. I take this opportunity to talk about my own experiencing of growing up Zoroastrian in a theologically Muslim society, and share more about my first and my ‘second’ navjote (Zoroastrian initiation ceremony).
In the final few minutes of the podcast, Sheherazad shares about some of the contemporary troubles Zoroastrian communities face today. He emphasise that the longevity and health of a small community like this is contingent on uniting with each other, being accepting of difference and being open to change. The podcast ends with a surprise visit from a very special guest.
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The Zoroverse team also extends its heartfelt thanks to Mahsa for her captivating logo animation and crisp video edits, and to T. Hyat for the elegant font design (Fermata). Their creativity and talent have significantly enhanced the visual appeal of Zoroverse.
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