To the glory of Goti

To celebrate the reinstallation of the 650-year-old sacred Goti Adarian fire at its original abode a jashan was held on the morning of December 13, 2003 and a function at Surat’s Entee Dharamshala in the evening presided over by Davar Daraius Mody who gave a historical account of the fire-temple where devotees worship with faith in its miraculous powers. The renovation of the Adarian at a cost of Rs 11 lakhs was made possible with a munificent donation from Pallonji Shapoorji in memory of his parents Shapoorji and Allamai, mentions a press release. Dastur Meherji Meherji­rana of Navsari lit the inaugural lamp after which Dastur Noshirwan Dastur of Surat led the 1,600 strong congregation in a hambandagi.

Referring to the umpteen ceremonies and Atash Nyaishes prayed before the sacred fire Meherjirana believed that its status could be elevated to an atash behram. As long as we can uphold our ancient traditions the community will not be in danger, he reinforced.

The portrait of Davar Kavasji Modi was unveiled at the hands of Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Dinshaw Tamboly and of Mehroo Noshir Dabhoi­wala by Rustom Jejeebhoy who recalled how the first baronet Sir Jam­setjee Jejeebhoy had renovated the agiary 175 years ago. Citing the alarming decline in population he noted that without priests the religion will not last, and without religion Parsipanu will not endure. He lauded the good services being rendered by Surat philanthropist Noshir Dabhoi­wala and recalled his wife as an embodiment of simplicity and generosity.

Tamboly commended Davar Kavasji Modi’s untiring zeal and work for many institutions, properties and priests. He was also appreciative of the literary efforts of Rusi Besania whose book Goti Adarian Smriti Granth was released by BPP trustee Ervad Burjor Antia. Denouncing those who falsely proclaimed that the religion is in danger, Tamboly cautioned that such propaganda would cause the downfall of the community and would misguide its youth. Live for the sake of your community and the religion, and not only for yourself, counselled Antia who believed that disrespect towards the sudreh-kusti, cigarette smoking habits, intercommunity and/or late marriages and small sized families were the main reasons for the decline in community numbers.

President of the Surat Parsi Panchayat Darius Master conveyed that they were seeking Antia’s advice and guidance in the sphere of housing and had adopted the slogan: "Sanstha tamné chhaproo aapshé, tamé samaajné chhokra aapo (The institution will give you a roof, you reciprocate with children).”

Whilst felicitating the dignitaries present, Daraius Modi announced a gift of Rs 25,000 to the panthaky of the Adarian Ervad Pervez Turel who has been associated with this sacred institution for 38 years and under whose supervision Ervad Fari­doon Turel and Ervad Harvesya Sanjana had undertaken the reinstallation ceremonies in the Ushahin gah on the morning of December 5, 2003.