Good friend of Parsi Khabar and esteemed Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram pens an editorial on the recent Iranshah Udvada Utsav So the great Udvada Utsav has ended. The statues have been lifted away, the grand shamiana dismantled, cleaning up has been done, the hordes of tourists and visitors are gone, the vendors are busy… Continue reading Sleepless in Udvada: Er. Marzban J. Hathiram
Category: Udvada
Seven Parsi high priests condemn conversion and interfaith marriages
MUMBAI: In an open letter to the community, seven Parsi high priests have condemned both conversion and interfaith marriages. While acknowledging that several issues plague the community—not the least of which is its dwindling population—they have written, “The solution to our current issue does not lie in cutting out the very basis of Zoroastrianism and… Continue reading Seven Parsi high priests condemn conversion and interfaith marriages
Bachi Karkaria: Why Is India’s Wealthy Parsi Community Vanishing ?
Udvada is an obscure hamlet in India’s western Gujarat state which houses the holiest fire of India’s Parsi community. Legend has it that it was consecrated some 12 centuries ago on the nearby Sanjan beach, landing point of a boatload of refugees who had fled the Arab conquest of Persia to save their 3,000-year-old Zoroastrian… Continue reading Bachi Karkaria: Why Is India’s Wealthy Parsi Community Vanishing ?
Vada Dasturjis Voice: “No Conversion or Mixed Marriages”
Below is a letter signed by all the Vada Dasturjis in the aftermath of the Iranshah Udvada Utsav 2015 Preserve identity and maintain religious practices, say Vada Dasturjis in one voice, as they address an open letter to the community in the wake of the controversial #Iranshah #Udvada #Utsav. Here is the full letter that… Continue reading Vada Dasturjis Voice: “No Conversion or Mixed Marriages”
Darius Khambata Clarifies Stand on the IUU 2015 Talk
Darius Khambata was one of the speakers on Day 02 of the recently concluded Iranshah Udvada Utsav 2015. His talk raised a lot of controversey over what was said/heard/implied…..or NOT….by those present, and those that went by hearsay. He clarifies his stand in a letter to the Editor of the Jame Jamshed that was shared… Continue reading Darius Khambata Clarifies Stand on the IUU 2015 Talk
‘Bawaji ni Paltan’ guarded Holy Fire for centuries
Parsis from across the country and globe gathered to celebrate Iranshah Udvada Utsav and offer prayers in the holy town of Udvada, but few know that the holy fire was once protected by the guards of erstwhile state of Baroda. The royal Gaekwad family not just offered support to the Parsi community but also safeguarded… Continue reading ‘Bawaji ni Paltan’ guarded Holy Fire for centuries
A flame endangered
India’s smallest community is getting even smaller; and the Parsis are worried. “If 3000 people are sitting in this pandal, then 20 more such pandals can accommodate all the Parsis living on Planet Earth right now. That’s how small a community we are.” Thus spake actor Boman Irani, and the 3000 Parsis packed in under… Continue reading A flame endangered
