Blessings for the Bajans

The fire of the Seth B. M. Mevawala Agiary in Bombay’s Byculla area has, since its consecration in 1851, been served by six generations of the Bajan family, pointed out chairman of the Agiary Trust Burjor M. Mehta at a function at the Agiary premises on February 15, 2004. The occasion graced by all the Agiary trustees — Soli J. Billimoria, Petarasp D. Patel, Maneck Engineer and Dr Aspi Mehta — was meant as a tribute to the late panthaky Ervad Minocher Ardeshir Bajan who expired at the age of 92 years and to herald the appointment of his son Ervad Parvez as the new panthaky.

Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa and 21 other priests and panthakies from different agiaries and atash behrams joined Bajan in the jashan which was followed by a hambandagi led by JamaspAsa, notes a write-up on the function. On behalf of the trustees, JamaspAsa presented a shawl and a garland to Bajan after which panthakies of different agairies, boiwalas of atash behrams, representatives of various trusts and individual well-wishers honored him.

Following brief discourses by Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji, panthaky of the Vachaghandhy Agiary, Ervad Yezdi Panthaky, panthaky of the Wadia Atas Bahram and Ervad Neryosang Turel, boiwala of the Wadia Atas Bahram, scholar Khojeste Mistree spoke at length on the division of panthaks and the duties, responsibilities and qualifications of priests according to the scriptures.

Presenting a brief history of the Agiary as also the association of his family with this reputed fire-temple Bajan assured those present that he would continue to serve the holy fire with the same devotion and zeal till his last breath, mentions the write-up. He thanked the trustees, his fellow athravans and the congregation for their blessings, support and cooperation.

In his vote of thanks Dr Mehta acknowledged the contribution of the priests, the Press and the photographers Homyar Mistry and Noshir Winemer­chant of Homz Prints. A melodious song by Navaz Dadachanji and the finale, Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti, were included in the evening’s agenda.